It's perhaps inevitable that The Other Side should inspire comparisons with fellow Scots Nazareth: after all, they're both from the same part of the world (Fife) and both play fiery, passionate r'n'b fuelled rawk 'n' roll. The main difference is that The Other Side are much more overtly political, something which is very obvious right from the off with the title track - an explosive condemnation of the banking system, corporate greed and government ineptitude, with Kirby's snarling vocal delivered over a searing guitar line from himself and partner Sned.

'Anger Is A Gift' opens in a very ZZ Top mode, but once again displays the band's love of anarcho-punk, particularly in its venomous lyric, and the song is blessed with a series of stunning, bluesy solos. The rhythm section of Pepe (bass) and Budgie (drums) underpin everything with aplomb, allowing the two guitarists free rein to pump out classy riff after classy riff, such as on the mudhole-stomping 'Break Free', which particular pleases this fellow Celt with its Rory Gallagher-esque deftness and its breakneck boogie ending, which really showcases Kirby's neck wrenching skill, which takes the band into Skynyrd/Allman Brothers territory.

Things get dirty, at least in the riff stakes on 'Technicolour Valium', which comes across as an amalgam of Quo, Hawkwind, Pink Floyd and Motorhead (with a generous slab of Nazareth thrown in for good measure, of course), while 'Strange Thing' is very Floyd in its feel, showcasing the diversity of the band's influences, and once again features an extended Allman Brothers style guitar workout in the second half of its eight minute duration (which is nothing compared to the 15+ minutes psychedelic rambling of closer 'Hold On'), and both 'Can't Stop This Feeling' and 'When' are more direct bruisers, with dirtier guitar riffs.

The only real legitimate complaint with this release is the production: carried out by the band themselves, it's a bit ropey in places, especially in relation to Kirby's vocals, and a slap of the old grime could also have been applied to the guitars in more than one or two places, but it doesn't overly detract from a fine album - and especially one so jammed packed with so many damn fine riffs and solos.

'Don't Piss Down My Back...' is available as a download from the band's website (link below):

http://www.theothersidefife.com/