The SideMen
Self-Released, 2022
8/10
Nick Justice and Feter Martin Homer combine their esteemed solo careers as The SideMen, and along with Gabe Witcher (fiddle), Alan Deremo (upright bass) and Richard Bredice (organ), the multi-instrumentalists illustrate their shared love of folk music across 10 honest and simple tunes.
“Come Dance With Me” starts the listen with warm fiddle and mandolin alongside strategic bass as Justice’s rugged voice complements the rural climate, and “The Storm Shall Pass Away” follows with a bare and moving folk influenced display of sincere song craft.
Halfway through, “Arise” recruits Bredice on organ for the poetic, even dreamy album highlight, while “Light As An Angel” showcases intricate picking amid bouncy bass work in one of the most playful tunes present.
“Secret Soul” and “Virginia” exit the listen, where the former benefits much from soulful backing vocals, frisky percussion and expressive singing, and the latter finishes the listen intimate, raw and full of eloquent wordplay.
Justice and Homer have background in the blues, pop music and AM radio, and those influences are certainly present as the pair pen originals that brings us back to the early days of folk music, and you won’t hear me complaining about that.
Travels well with: Christopher Lockett- At The Station; Kate MacLeod- Uranium Maiden