Originally formed in 2003 by singer Darren Rogers, Se7en Sided has evolved into a pop rock / alternative rock band with honest, sincere lyrics that sound so genuine it makes you wonder if Darren is singing about his actual relationships. After several lineup changes, the band fronted by Rogers now features Dan Sittler on guitar, Marcus Engel on bass, and Aaron Hanley on drums. Independently produced, Life on Hold is the band’s second album, following 2010′s The Silver Lining.
Musically, their sound is similar to another Canadian band, Default, with a little bit of Blink 182 in the mix. Se7en Sided’s vocal centric writing style has a lot in common with the great ballad rock bands of the 80s that focused on lyrics with a heavy guitar in the background (think Poison, Bon Jovi, and Journey).
With most of the themes on the new album involving head over heels love, this would make a great album to serenade your better half with.
Highlights from Life On Hold include the following:
“All I Got” opens the album with a testimony for true love from a man to a woman. It’s an upbeat modern rocker that begins with the voice over announcer at the airport announcing departure times. A young man swears he will leave all his material possessions behind just to follow his true love around the world. This song has a very catchy melody that will get stuck in your head while the singer names all the places he would go to follow his love.
The song “Restart” would make a good first single. With a catchy mid-tempo guitar riff and passionate coming of age lyrics, this tune would do well on radio. The lyrics describe a couple that have come to a crossroads in their relationship.
You and I we need to restart, or finish falling apart,
We need to repair. We need to fix what’s here,
Restart and fix this broken heart.
With a killer bass line and some down-tuned guitar strings the song Letters stands out as the heaviest and angriest tune on the album.
I thought you would save me, but it was a waste of time,
You were a nightmare, but now it’s time to say goodbye,
Finally I can leave, “˜Cause I see the truth.
This song describes a failed relationship where the singer laments that he and his girlfriend are no good for each other. While the majority of songs from Life On Hold describe great love stories, this song makes you realize that not every girlfriend is a keeper. Dark and brooding, this is my pick for best song on the album.
Power love ballads are well represented with songs like “Do You Miss Me”, “Who We Were“, and
“You and the Rain”. All of these tunes lament the loss of love, and the yearning caused by separation of two young lovers. They also showcase the blue rock styling of guitar player Dan Sittler.
The album closes with “I Wouldn’t Trade”, an optimistic, upbeat rocker that says,
Here I am, Take me as I am,
I wouldn’t trade anything for the life I lead,
Or the dreams I chased.
It sends out a positive message to follow your heart and dreams, and features one of the best guitar solos on the album, albeit a little too brief.
With a sound that owes as much to the ballad rock of the 80s as modern rock, Se7en Sided has a lot to offer new fans. They’re an independent band with a surprisingly well produced album. Recommended for fans of upbeat, optimistic music, especially those in love.
By the way, there’s an acoustic version of “Restart” on Youtube that displays the bands acoustic skills.
Se7en Sided - Life On Hold,
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shane With over 2000 albums in his collection, Shane York is always filling his days with the sound of guitars and drums. His favorite forms of music are hard rock and melodic heavy metal, with a soft spot for 70's era AC/DC. Shane swears the best concert he's ever seen was the Foo Fighters in a small club back on The Colour & The Shape tour, though Metallica touring on Master of Puppets was a close second. He is a graduate of NC State University, a former sailor in the US Navy, and works in the Raleigh area. He welcomes all comments and thanks you for reading!
Restart!!!! <3!!!!!
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