Flip:Side - Happenstance?

Published Friday 28th April 2006
Flip:Side - Happenstance?
Flip:Side - Happenstance?

STYLE: Rock
RATING 5 5 5 5 5
OUR PRODUCT CODE: 16679-9610
LABEL: Independent
FORMAT: CD EP
ITEMS: 1

Reviewed by Matthew Cordle

Flip:side are a team of voluntary youth and schools workers based in Sheffield under the banner of the Pais Project, a Christian organisation that seeks to serve schools and the local church. This version of the band, like their predecessors, plays in schools, youth events and leads workshops among other things. They state that their songs are themed around the idea of chance circumstances (is there such a thing?), and that people listening to the CD should question the purpose of life and see the answers in God's existence, love and purposes for us. The lyrics are good but, musically, I'm not sure where the record is meant to sit - for the most part it seems as if they want to be a band with metal inclinations with the distorted guitar style; perhaps nu-metal would be the place to put it when you include the rapping on "I'm Here", but then not all tracks are in that vein. "This World" is a fairly nice breather from the rest of the album. I'm sure the CD is fine as a take-home from a gig, but it doesn't really stand up as a commercial release. There are a good number of major timing issues between the players and some of the vocals are a bit dodgy (although the singer has a pleasant timbre) - these could be sorted either by hard practice or alternatively feeding everything into a sequencer or Pro Tools to fix it and make it groove more, also making use of Antares Autotune. It makes me wince to hear a compressor kicking in at the start of the first track on the CD after the guitar intro, and I may be wrong, but most of the tracks sound as if they were mixed by the guitarist as the guitars often dominate everything else. In summary, the message and the will is there, but more work needs to go in the playing and the production before this could seriously stand up.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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Reader Comments

Posted by snufkin @ 10:34 on Apr 18 2007

how odd to stumble across this. hey i used to be on a flipside a few years back. Im glad crossrhythms never got our cd to review HA! seriously though, in response to the review i say fair play! sorry flipside guys, but a cd reviewer is there to be objective and say what they think about the disk. of course theres always reasons for why its not the best thing in the world, but crossrhythms review commercial releases, and that i guess is the reference point that your cd is pitted against. If everyone just said your ministry is amazing and gave you a pat on the back we'd never improve. I think its important to take on board what people say without being offended, then you can decide what you can take from their input and what not, through an unclouded lens. anyway, i heard your tracks and they were the best recordings flipside have probably done. take care!



Posted by sam in lancaster @ 23:48 on Jul 8 2006

the review is bit harsh dudes i heard them for the first time ever tonight in a field of all places and they where awesome considering the length of time theyve been a band they do great God bless you all, sam



Posted by John in Worcester @ 23:29 on Jun 27 2006

As the old adage goes: the proof of the pudding is in the eating! And the album is selling predigiously and across all ages and people of varying musical tastes (from young rockers in schools to older ballad-loving listeners) - in the commercial sector too. That is the beauty of this small album - there is something for everyone. Far from being a weakness, as Matthew Cordle flippantly states, this is a strength. I have talked to over twenty people about 'Happenstance?' and not one has had anything remotely negative to say. That's all the response you need.



Posted by Becky in Sheffield @ 16:44 on Jun 17 2006

hahahahahaha
metal
hahahahahaha
i rate it 11.



Posted by Liz in Sheffield @ 15:13 on May 19 2006

I think its rate good! for the money thye had i'm sure they've done it justice, well done guys, keeps at it! x x x



Posted by Amy Watson in Thornton-Cleveleys @ 19:49 on May 18 2006

I really like the mix of tracks incorporating different styles hence how the CD's been well received by a wide range of young ppl. As my dad said, many pupils at school responded excitedly to Flipside’s music & showed interest in the message of Jesus which they put across so awesomely! Let’s build em up with encouragement & prayer not be picky about the technical these guys r doing a fantastic job inspiring young people. My generation is searching 4 satisfaction,truth,purpose… lets give them more than a perfectly mastered C.D lets give them the opportunity to discover Jesus -that’s priceless!



Posted by Philip Watson in Thornton-Cleveleys @ 17:23 on May 17 2006

I have worked alongside Flipside for a full week in school.The album is a reflection of their annointed musical ministry.NON CHRISTIAN pupils bought the album enthusiastically and a NON CHRISTIAN teacher told me some time after their visit that his pupils were still playing 'Happenstance'. This album, produced very soon after the band was formed, is a ministry to young lives, not just another opportunity for technical/critical review. Please think and pray about this and consider the purpose and plan for ministries like Flipside



Posted by Ash in Sheffield @ 16:07 on May 16 2006

OK, i had to post again because it would only allow 600 characters, here the last paragraph...

I think they have a hard job to create an album/ep that will suit everybody's tastes in schools and youth work, but this album/ep does have 'abit of everything' and is very well done.



Posted by Ash in Sheffield @ 16:06 on May 16 2006

I don't wish to try and change your opinions or views of this review, just to get the point across that the band were put together not really knowing other members tastes and musical inspiration.

So where one member may be into more heavier music, others may like more gentle or pop music. Considering this i think the album/ep represents quite well each members tastes in music and will reach out to a much broader audience. If the album was purely one genre it would only attract a certain amount of people.



Posted by Shaun Nixon in Mansfield @ 18:14 on May 15 2006

Hi, I've not actually heard the album, as of yet (send me a free one guys!) but i've heard them live and there pretty good to me.

I respect the above review and thats its your personal opinion of the album, but i feel you have been a little harsh. The band have only been together since September and are required to learn and write songs by October time-ish. I feel they'v done excellent in what they've done so far.

I'm looking forward to hearing them support 29th Chapter in June at Mansfield.

Thanks.
Yours in Christ,

Shaun Nixon.
PAIS AFFILIATED



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