BITTERSIDE: SOMEHOW DIFFERENT
October 2004
Melodic bittersweet rock!
Local boys Bitterside’s presence on the Maltese music scene has not been
a lengthy one, but the few years they have been around have been both
hectic and productive, to say the least. Apart from their tasking live
schedule – which, as anyone who has seen the band perform live will
agree is one their strong points – the band has also maintained a steady
presence on the local airwaves, right from their first attempt, If You.
The song, included here as one of three bonus tracks, introduced the
band’s softer side, an aspect they continued to explore on their next
release, Something We Call Life. Besides being a personal favourite, the
song’s match of melody, subtlety and lingering sense of melancholy make
it one of Bitterside’s best numbers to date.
But there is another side to the band - one that was unceremoniously
announced with the upbeat Fire In My Pockets. The song, which very much
struck the right chord with radio and live audiences alike, fully
reflected Bitterside’s American rock tilt, but more importantly, it
cemented Daniel’s particular vocal style, and the prominent guitarwork
as two of the band’s unique trademarks. This however, didn’t mean that
Bitterside were going to stop there, and considering that only two of
the 12 album tracks proper are previous releases, it is clear that the
band is hell-bent on forging ahead. This is also evident from the get go
of the album, with opening tracks Fear (The Fast Song) and Regrets both
flaunting a harder edge to Bitterside’s rock hybrid.
The band’s knack for catchy melodies is consistent, applied in varying
doses throughout the album, the difference separating the potential
singles from the album tracks. That said, one cannot overlook the
underlying influences that have seeped into the mix, particularly the
retro-tinted harmonies applied to songs like Drop of Wine, Soul Mate and
All My Chances. But at heart, Bitterside is a rock band, and as the
greater portion of Somehow Different (including solid cuts like In Me
and Somehow Alive) suggests, they aren’t averse to exploring new areas
and genres in order to develop their appealing rock sound!
Recommended weblink: www.bitterside.net
