A first listen,
Sides might only seem to be an adequate
Anthony Phillips effort. Although it boasts two bona fide
King Crimson members (
Giles and
Collins), the first half of the album consists of wry but forgettable numbers like the pop of "Um & Aargh" and the divorce kiss-off of "Holy Deadlock." But on the much better second half of the album,
Phillips shows his more orchestral side on the instrumentals "Sisters of Remindum" and "Nightmare," as well as his distinctive arpeggiated guitar style on "Magdalen." And as always, the wonderfully whimsical and punning cover art by
Peter Cross is reminiscent one of what the world lost when we all switched to cramped CD covers.