This Hidden Switch - Trial & Error - CD (2008)

Labels: self released
Review by: Andy Malcolm

It never ceases to amaze me how many bands sound like Hot Water Music. I can only assume that playing this kind of thing is as fun as it sounds, so people just love to get the chuggy guitars rolling whilst two guys gruff their way in tandem. The Hidden Switch sound a lot like Hot Water Music, despite being from Wales or thereabouts. Yet, regardless of whether it sounds like everyones favourite beardies, this is still a highly enjoyable record. At 6 songs, it’s never going to outstay it’s welcome, and I suppose it may entice you to slap on No Division instead, but that’s up to you. At least you know that This Hidden Switch haven’t gone shit, which can be the problem with HWM, you stick on Forever and Counting or something, and suddenly you realise this is the same band that made Caution, or some of those songs on the Draft LP. Saints alive. Anyway, I apologise to This Hidden Switch for banging on about a band that isn’t them in this review, but I’m afraid that it’s inevitable. Six good songs, good riffs, good vocals, lyrics like “Was I right to keep on drinking?”… good stuff. I can’t complain, I bet they’d be a blast live too, as the stuff on this CD is super tight.