Reviewed by David Cranson

Southern Illinois punk pop team Side Walk Slam started out as a covers band and from then on seem to have developed a Green Day, Blink 182 style which came to prevalence in the '90s. I also hear McFly, who are big at the mo'. This is their third line-up and they seem to have gelled very well together. I have to say that these influences shine through, with not too much which is unique to them alone. This is also true in the 12 songs on show here. Now, I'm a Quo fan, and have been for . . . well, ever since I can remember (and that's a long time!). People say that they only play three chords and all the songs sound the same. Of course, they don't, as there is more to that band than meets the ear on first hearing. I'm having trouble hearing much difference in any of the songs here, tho'. The same style, same tempo, same rhythm, same length, etc. They play well, sing well and the music is professionally produced. It's just a tad boring having the same basic style played track after track. I almost gave up after track five. On an aside, they were (recently? no date on the website) held up at gun-point, along with others, and had wallets stolen. To quote, "The guardian angels were working overtime, that night, so remember to pray for the bands you love -- they need to be continually protected as they are out there on the road." More variation required I would suggest, but a good solid album to be going on with.

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