Published on August 12th 2011

While the Sidekicks and Tigers Jaw both occupy the poppier side of the indie/punk spectrum, they have very different approaches to their craft. The Sidekicks’ upbeat power-pop has soaring vocal melodies and catchy hooks that are so immediately satisfying they do little to betray the beautiful lyrics and sophisticated guitar work contained within that you only discover upon repeated listens. Tigers Jaw, on the other hand, have a more intentionally obscure path they take you on with their music, having a heavier debt to '90s Midwest emo and alterna-rock, and yet there is something localized rather than universal about their music. Their lyrics are more abstract, their tempos are slower, and their guitar parts shift just enough so they make you wait for that one sweet spot in a song rather than delivering right away. Putting these two bands together proves to be an interesting and overall fairly successful experiment.

I've been all Whitney Houston and Toni Braxton since the Sidekicks dropped Weight of Air in 2008, and gee wiz was the wait worth it as they deliver in every aspect on their side of this split. After a recent performance I described these guys as a “punk rock wedding band” and I meant it in the best way possible. As the full instrumentation kicks in on “Little James”, there is the kind of energy that makes you want to kick loose with reckless abandon, but actually dance, not just make awkward attempts at push-moshing. Adding to that, you can practically see your elderly aunt or uncle making their way across the dance floor to trip the light fantastic right there with you. Like the lyrics say, " Fight it / don’t fight it / stay quiet / and you’ll like it ." “Little James” is a slightly down-tempo number that shows the Sidekicks aren't going to rest on their laurels, but try and expand their sound. The lyrics have a lullaby quality to them that is a logical continuation from the themes of Weight of Air , but the words and music meld in such a perfect way at about the 1:48 mark where the drums work to a buildup and the vocals dance just on the edge of the music, simulating a sort of weightless feeling in the listener. The Sidekicks’ second offering is a logical cover of Elvis Costello’s “(Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes”, off of his classic debut My Aim Is True .

The Logical Song Roger Hodgson songwriter and composer ...

Roger wrote this hit when he was still in his teens, before he even met Rick and co-founded Supertramp. This classic is just as relevant today as it was when it was released. Probably most of us, if not all of us, can relate to the lyrics in one way or another. Questioning – wondering who we are. Roger is currently on tour. Here are some great links to stay connected to the latest happening on Roger’s world tour: News – www.rogerhodgson.com Facebook — www.facebook.com Twitter – twitter.com The Roger Hodgson Store is the only place you can buy directly from the artist and get his autographed CD’s. Go to www.rogerhodgsonstore.

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