Album Review: Broadside – Nowhere, At Last (Thriller Records)

Pop rock/alternative rock band, Broadside will release their new album, ‘Nowhere, At Last’ on April 10th via Thriller Records.

Encapsulating the crossover aspects of alternative rock and pop rock, Broadside are an easy band to like, unless it’s all about and only ever about heavy music with you. If that’s the case, move along because goodness, do Broadside lean more into the pop than many others plying their trade in this blend of genres.

I’m not complaining, let’s make that clear right away, but I recognise the polarising aspects of the band. Even though I whole-heartedly believe that more people will love this album than hate it. Especially as it is varied and so damn anthemic. When it hits, it hits and there are so many moments when it freaking hits.

One such moment comes early on and comes from the charming vocals and energetic chorus of Cherry Red Ego Death. A crowd-pleasing opener with tons of heart. The balance of melody, effects, and rock rhythms is done well here, and even though it’s far from my favourite, it’s really likable.

Another pair of likable efforts are Control Freak and Dead Roses, with the former giving dance floor filling vibes and a cool rocked up ‘breakdown’. Whereas the latter delivers some of the best vocals, the catchiest of melodies, and the biggest of choruses. A personal favourite and the emotastic lyrics warm the heart.

Don’t bury me with dead roses.

For me, the album really hits its stride from this point as we get banger after banger courtesy of the massive singalong that is Someone You Need, the fiery Mushroom Cloud, the raucous I Think They Know, and chorus driven Blissed Out. Broadside guaranteeing a certain amount of world domination with tracks as universally appealing as these.

I can’t stress that point enough too. Broadside already have mass appeal and an album like this, an album that feature twelve tracks and where each could be a single, is only going to increase the numbers screaming their name.

Am I one of them? Not quite as there are a few ‘ho-hum’ tracks and I think the album could have done with a bit of quality control, but I am not going to deny that I found a lot of what the record offers, appealing. Least of all the heartfelt finale of Is This It?

Is there a right way to cope?

Broadside – Nowhere, At Last Track Listing:

1. Cherry Red Ego Death
2. Nowhere, At Last
3. Warning Signs
4. Control Freak
5. Dead Roses
6. Someone You Need
7. Mushroom Cloud
8. I Think They Know
9. Blissed Out
10. Dark Passenger
11. What Are You Leaving Behind
12. Is This It?

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