Medium 21 - 'By My Side' (Temptation)
4/5
By: Thomas Hannan
There's something to be said for taking things slow, relaxing, admiring the scenery if you will. The ethos of 'By My Side' is very much 'what's the rush?' In fact, Medium 21 seem to take that approach to their music in general. So relaxed are they that they're still playing this Indie whilst everyone else who owns a guitar is out in a garage making some abominable punk racket. But at least they're doing so from some superb reference-points - namely the Pixies, Dinosaur Jr and the other 74 bands that they claim they've been compared to in reviews alone this year... They've definitely got that 'sounding like everyone and no-one at the same time' thing down to a fine art, that's for sure.
With their attitude as admirable as their list of influences, it's a wonder that the theme of this fine tune seems to be that of under-confidence; it's infectiously quirky and tuneful pop - but pop of a more suspicious nature, simultaneously nodding its head in requited enjoyment whilst regularly looking over its shoulder. You shouldn't know what to make of the best music. This doesn't seem to know what to make of itself.
And so 'By My Side' sparkles, jitters and traipses along with some forlorn elegance, lovable because it seems so nervous. It's all finished in just over two minutes with an ending so sudden it's almost as if the song has just realised it's got an audience, got scared and buried its head in some sand. It's cute, but unnecessary. Medium 21 deserve our praise whether they think they do or not, because 'By My Side' is some enticing stuff.
Artists in this article: Medium 21
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