Oh No, the sophomore album from Bay Area’s Same Side is a subdued expression of emotion with some subtle twists. The bleeding red palette that colored singer/songwriter Kevin Geyer’s most known project The Story So Far has faded to a duller matte as the members have matured into more leveled people and songwriters. Geyer expands on this maturation with an offering of nostalgia, confrontation and anxiety with a controlled earnestness.
Throughout the record, Geyer’s voice is a steadying presence. Its smooth, calming quality grounds the listener as the instruments often dictate moments of tension and release. On “Cruise” the fingerpicked guitars and layered vocals combine for a hypnotic effect that is only disrupted by a slight souring of the instrumentals when he sings “I can’t shake this sinking feeling”. The drums sound thunderous as they enter slowly reestablishing the verse, feeling like an after-storm calm. On opener “Now” the rhythm section trudges along with a head nodding groove as Geyer sings about finding the person you can be your unique self with. The beat crescendos to a distorted instrumental break and outro that is as satiating as a nostalgic memory can be.
In its songwriting, Same Side excels with knowledge of when to employ technique and how powerful simplicity can be. On “What You’re Missing” its foundational fingerpicking alternates a relaxed pattern with accent notes adding an engaging layer to the percussive instrumental. The smooth vocals float over the guitar movement with Geyer’s bittersweet intonation that gestures towards emotional resonance but does not demand it. Single “On & On & On” speaks to the dread and necessity of confrontation over a confoundingly calm instrumental. The track widens into a roving guitar solo that leans into an Americana influence before closing into final passage and crescendo.
On Oh No, Kevin Geyer’s skill for melody and arrangement are on full display. The emotive instrumentals and casual pace summate an offering that is pleasant and purposeful. On their second album, Same Side sidelines the heights of emotional dramatization for a more realistic, grounded approach.
