I’m always happy when I’m wrong about a band that’s good. It might sound strange I know but that’s how it is. I thought FARMER BOYS where a sugar sweet Modern Pop/Rock/Metal band and expected the worst when I received the promo for “The Other Side”. Thankfully I was proven wrong. Erase the “sugar sweet” part and minimize the “Pop” part and you’ve got the sound of the German quintet.

“The Other Side” is an album that generates almost every emotion of a human being; depression, melancholy, happiness, contemplation, anger, phobia, guilt, satisfaction, curiosity, determination. The bands atmospherical versatility and experimental approach to song writing definitely makes them an interesting listen for nearly every person who likes a heavy and emotive song.

The album has electronics and lots of samples, which are equally important as the rest of the instruments, I wouldn’t be surprised if they wrote their songs on keyboards before adding the guitars and everything. Don’t go there just yet. This is not a DEPECHE MODE going heavy or anything like that. There are solos, melodies and heavy riffs, straightforward yes but the music doesn’t require more.

Doing the unexpected is a strong force at “Germany’s Metal farm” (Metal farm... get it ha ha ha... eh... never mind... get a grip Frodi). On “What A Feeling Like” the James Bond theme sneaks into the sound for just a few seconds, that’s unexpected! “Home Is Where The Stars Are” begins like a Gothic Metal serenade but quickly changes into an up-tempo rocker.

I won’t mention any tracks that stand out more than the next, every song is a hit for me. If you want a kick ass album with everything in place, be it sound, vocal performances, metal riffage, great choruses, “The Other Side” ought to be the choice of the day. (Online May 3, 2004)