Dead 60s are no more... What a shame! They passed the second album test with room to spare...
This sophomore effort shows an interesting and much harder evolution from their eponymous ska-based first album. To be honest there are some cracking songs on here, Liar Liar is pumping brilliance, Last Train Home shows flashes of lyrical genius and in general there is some real craft going on here. The musicianship is of a very high standard and having seen the band live, you know there are no studio tricks going on here, (except some quality engineering). There are songs to make you wince a little, and I think that they reflect the dissolution of the band. 'Stand Up' is catchy but banal, and an attempt to make the band more palletable. Not what I would expect from a band who penned the classic Riot Radio and on this album the razor-sharp cynicism of Dull Towns..
Time to Take Sides is an excellent record, and the last from a band now split... Such a waste! Never before have I awaited a third album so keenly.. At least we modern mods still have the Rifles....