110. Album Review of Play Both Sides by Fragile Creatures
Originally Published on April 4th, 2025
About the Artist
It was 2012 when Adam Kidd founded the band Fragile Creatures. Kidd, Tom Ally, Aaron Neville, and drummer James Crump have since been crafting their sound and finding that perfect blend of Indie Rock that pulls influence from older sounds, styles, and progressions. Out of Brighton, this group met and became friends in secondary school. Eventually forming the group that would be Fragile Creatures.
Their first publicly available work is the Two-Side single of Dear Michael/She Makes Me Nervous, which released on June 11, 2012.
Their first EP, Fragile Creatures EP, released on August 31st, 2024. At 4 songs and 13 minutes, and showcased their potential with the title track which is a piano and organ-driving, uptempo, bright and melodic song and Sunshine, which exhibits a unique emphasis on staccatos and syncopation rhythmic techniques that subtly sound like a ska influence.
In 2017, they would release their debut LP, an album titled ... And Other Wild Things. On this record, Fragile Creatures exhibited growth in their progression, and stylistic performance with songs like Leave it Alone, which incorporates a magnificent blend of vocals for an all-encompassingly beautiful product. In the song Mess We're In seems to blend their sound with a classic rock influence that had hints of moments that reminded me of Journey, oddly enough. Then Poison Apple on the very next track was very reminiscent of a sound similar to ELO with its dancing vocal harmonies.
After the release of some singles and their second EP, the follow-up to … And Other Wild Things, was released in 2020. Punk Yacht, releasing on August 21st, 3-years later, is a 10-song, 40 minute LP that continued to exhibit growth from Fragile Creatures. A New Low is the opener of the album and, right out of the gate, they are making a statement that they are experimenting with different ideas musically, and lyrically maturing their sound. I love the the tempo change mid song. The vocal blending is still very strong with their sound. Phantom Limb is vocally experimental for Kidd where he reveals a very cool and almost haunting lower register. They also incorporate a nice element of ballads, including the acoustic-driven Parallel Lines.
After Punk Yacht, Fragile Creatures started releasing singles in 2022 at a semi-consistent basis, hinting to an album release.
About the Album
That album would come. On March 28th, 2025, Fragile Creatures would release their third studio LP, the album Play Both Sides. At nearly 40 minutes, Play Both Sides features the 5 singles released by the band between Punk Yacht and this album with 6 additional new songs. Like Punk Yacht, Play Both Sides was released independently by Fragile Creatures.
About the Music
Play Both Sides is the product of all things coming together for Fragile Creatures. Taking the foundations built in their earlier years and incorporating those to the more experimental work from Punk Yacht, this album has landed on a truly progressive playing field. Tying in influence from a plethora of genres, to me, this is without a doubt their best work.
The title track plays as a strong opener to the album, as a short song, gently beckoning us in. It almost feels like the artists walked in, one by one and started playing the song, which was very cool to hear.
This leads into Don't Know What to Do, which is a very strong song. Utilizing their trademark technique of syncopation, Don’t Know What to Do tricks the mind as it maintains a sort of bright sound while also hinting at a melancholic transition throughout the entire song.
Grandaddy is a song that is a tribute to the narrator’s grandfather, who tragically lost their life in combat. This song is very anthemic and emotional. I particularly enjoy the vocal performance.
Garden of Eden opens with a guitar part that is reminiscent of Pablo Honey and other early-mid 90’s grunge and alternative styles of music. As the chorus comes in, the song transitions to more traditional rock sounds. I love the chromatic descending chords in the chorus.
Chasing Hearts is a very cool 80’s pop rock throw back. There is a really cool synth bell chime that really plays a cool accent over the chord progression. There is a very moving bass part that anchors the melody to the rhythm of the drums very significantly. This song has a vintage vibe that would play hard in any club today.
I think the best song on the entire album is Entitled to Love. The intro of this song hits so hard. The guitar riff first played low, then as the band crashes the siesta, they quickly turn the vibe into fiesta-mode. Again, the bass is thumping and could anchor the entire progression all on its own. The drums are so disciplined and crisp. The drummer incorporates some fills every once in a while but it’s almost unnecessary to have any there is such a distinct enunciation of energy between the kick, snare, and hat. Flawless performance. The quiet change at the end of the song right before bringing back the chorus with an epic guitar solo has such an expert sound to it. I think this song exhibits all of the best qualities of Fragile Creatures.
Final Thoughts
One thing I enjoy to do every time I listen to an artist I am reviewing is that I love to listen to everything they’ve done. I love to have a reference to the work I am reviewing to what the artist has done in the past.
Fragile Creatures have been particularly fascinating in the way that I hear them finding strings to pull in their earlier work and by their next release, they’re perfecting the elements they had been experimenting with before. Every single release is compounded to the previous one as they find ways to use every tool in their bag. They don’t ever do this in a way that is overwhelming. On the contrary, they have defined a way to element these dynamics into their identity.
Fragile Creatures are very unique in how they have unified such a diverse catalog of influence. It sounds so whole. It frankly sounds like them. Today, I’ve listened to Play Both Sides three times in a row without stopping- I’m actually 4 songs into my fourth play and I love that I am hearing something new within each spin.
Fragile Creatures are a veteran band. They are well rehearsed. They have a special relationship with how they play off of one another. There isn’t a single standout performance or performer in this band. They are one body moving fluidly through the music. The sound is brilliant. Fragile Creatures are one of the most complete bands I’ve had the privilege to review.
Visit their website for background on the band, show dates, media, and more!
You can subscribe to their YouTube Channel for media content like music videos and live performances/live sessions.
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Play Both Sides released on March 28th, 2025 and is streaming on all major platforms.
Don’t wait. GO PRESS PLAY!
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