Album Review: Broadside - Into The Raging Sea
Reviewed by Carl Black
The opening track to Broadsides third offering 'The Raging Sea' has a vocal flow that is not exactly singing, not exactly rapping. It’s an interesting style that lands in the middle which I like to call "Sapping" (as the kids don’t call it). Think of a raw emo track that ebbs and flows with smooth "Sapping" over the top, akin to Twenty One Pilots. It grabs my attention as this is mature song writing from a recent youth movement that is beginning to come of age. Musicians that are not tied to musical boundaries and pretty much, do what they like. You wanna rap? no problem. You want to get emotional? Do it mate. You want to scream like a banshee? All the better. True musical freedom. And I’m all for that.
Unfortunately, my excitement is rather short lived. The album moves onto a slightly different, one dimensional journey. Its meat and potatoes emo. Played with passion and, of course, emotion, but it’s radio friendly American rock. Jimmy Eat World crossed with Panic at the Disco. Which is disappointing after the great start this album got off to.
Broadside’s main man, Oli Baxxter has been through the mill by all accounts. He’s had some bad luck but is determined to stay positive. He’s making music and I believe is genuine and authentic. But this music can be moved forward. The opening song proves that progression and evolution can be achieved.
This is a competently played, of the moment emo record with a commercial slant on all the songs. Any of the tracks could be played on American rock radio, any song could be blasted out at a teenager’s house party. Which is a shame, as it could have been a whole lot more.
'Into The Raging Sea' is released via Sharptone Records on July 24th.
