SIDEWINDER ~ TALONS .... review

Those who bought New Zealand outfit Sidewinder's excellent debut release "Vines" might not recognise the Sidewinder they are hearing on the bands latest album "Talons", and its not just because original vocalist Jason Curtis has been replaced by the singularly named Jem. It would seem that Ben Sargent (guitars); Thomas Rousell (guitars); Sean Fitzpatrick (bass) and Grant Lister (drums) have been inspired by their new vocalist's powerful throaty holler to move somewhat away from the grungy dynamics that permeated their debut and head in a more bluesy hard rock/stoner/heavy psych direction with the emphasis placed strongly on the bluesy part of that equation.

"Guardians" is the first track up, it's palm muted guitar intro is accompanied by skiffle like percussion and a seductive smoky vocal, well that is until the second guitar and bass join the fray and the song suddenly erupts into a heavy assed bluesy barnburner that sees vocalist Jem utilizing the full spectrum of her incredible vocal range, a spectrum that ranges from a full on bluesy holler to a husky whisper, her voice almost, but not quite, outcompeted by the swirling guitar work that screams and soars around it. Next track "Wasted Space" rocks back and forth between a boogie and a torch song the latter part of that equation pitching lysergic flavoured lead work against heavily phased riffage over a thunderous bass and drum groove decorated with another superbly delivered vocal. Third track "Prisoner" finds Sidewinder taking a little of the grunginess they explored on their debut "Vines" and blending it with a healthy slice of hard and heavy rock. Speaking of "Vines" we get to re-visit a song that also appeared on that debut with the Zeppelin-esque "Depths - Redux", the song was somewhat of a stand-out track on the first album and is no less impressive here, Jem's vocal differing from the original only in that it adds a slightly more airy and soaring dynamic to the proceedings.. Follow up "Disarm The King" is a paint peeling heavy blues rocker that gives no quarter while "Desert Song" sees the band flexing their stoner rock/heavy psych muscles. Penultimate number "Northern Lights" finds the band adding an element of classic rock  to their edgy psychedelic bluesiness and brings us around to final track "Yggdrasil" where we find Sidewinder donning their capes and cowls for a headlong dive into doom territory with Sargent and Rousell trading off proto flavoured riffs over a weighty backdrop of grizzled bass and pounding percussion, expertly applied by Fitzpatrick and Lister, Jem's slightly mournful yet powerful vocal performance the catalyst that takes this song from just a bangin' tune to a whole other level of face-melting.

With the grungy elements of their sound dialled slightly back and the heavy blues elements ramped up to a respectable eleven Sidewinder have, with "Talons", made an album that is a true reflection of its title, a gripping tome with the ability to lift you up to unprecedented heights of enjoyment. 

Check it out ....

© 2024 Frazer Jones