Cold Sides - Corrugated Sibilants EP
(self-released)
It has been a while since Chapel Hill has truly been rocked by new music it could call its own. Over time bands have come and gone, from the once-mighty Polvo and the earlier, saucier days of Superchunk, but the past several years have seen the area produce little more than additional country and roots music acts. That movement and evolution has been great and has definitely let the local scene expand its base, but I long for the days of great rock performances within 10 minutes of my house. While Cold Sides are not new to the local scene, their gradual evolution from a group trying to find a sound to call their own into the band they are today has had fantastic results. Although it took some personnel changes, the group's current styling blend parts of punk, new wave, and straight-out rock in a very well done combination.
This EP contains four tracks and each one is a winner. "Stretched" with its angular guitars and super-tight drum work, starts the EP off with a bang. The track contains a high degree of infectious nervous energy, with each moment getting more and more frantic. "Field Recorder" follows nicely and it gets my vote for the EP's best song (as well as the one most likely to pop up in your head at later times). The general architecture to the track isn't that far removed from the rest of the tracks on this disc, but this one features some great spastic saxophone work that comes out of nowhere to layer into the rock. The contrast really works. The same saxophone sound spills over into the slightly calmer (in comparison to the rest of the EP) "No Recognition". The atmospheric "Interiors" acts to close off the disc. While the other tracks are more fast-paced affairs, this one is content to slowly come to start off at a simmer and keep that low boil moving forward. Moody and somewhat introspective, it provides the perfect contrast to the rest of the EP.
Cold Sides' growth has been impressive as a live band as well as through their released studio output. The band is hitting on all cylinders live these days. They have done a spectacular job of harnessing that live energy into a release that accurately offers a snapshot of a band on the move. The band is starting to make more voyages outside of NC to play, with an east coast tour coming up in early September. You would definitely be making the smart move to check them out if you have the time. The songs on this EP frequently pop up in the band's live set—catch 'em live or on disc, you'll be pleased either way.
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