What makes Feeling Sideways by The Mess Hall notable?

Feeling Sideways received significant attention within the Australian underground music community, helping to solidify The Mess Hall's reputation as a rising force in punk rock. The album's energetic sound and DIY ethos influenced a generation of local bands and contributed to the revitalization of garage rock in Australia during the early 2000s. Released in 2003, Feeling Sideways was The Mess Hall's debut album, marking their entry into the Australian punk rock scene. At this stage, the band was establishing their identity after forming in 2001, drawing from their diverse musical influences to create a distinct sound.

How many songs are on Feeling Sideways?

Feeling Sideways has 6 tracks, running approximately 19 minutes.

Feeling Sideways

The Mess Hall · 2003

19 min · 6 tracks · punk rock

Raw punk energy collides with catchy hooks and gritty lyricism, channeling the spirit of garage rock rebellion.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Lock & Load — The opening track sets the tone with its driving rhythms and aggressive vocals, encapsulating the band's raw punk aesthetic from the outset.
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Railyard Rumble — This track showcases an infectious chorus paired with sharp guitar riffs, making it a standout example of the band's knack for catchy songwriting.
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Get Away — With its dynamic shifts and compelling narrative, this song highlights the band's ability to blend storytelling with punk sensibility, making it memorable.
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Feel Like a Dog — This track features an irresistible groove and playful lyrics that reflect the band's humorous side while still maintaining their punk roots.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

44 /100

Lowland

Higher than 4% of albums we've rated

The EP showcases energetic punk rock with catchy hooks but lacks depth in composition and production polish.

What we noticed

The first three tracks maintain a high-energy tempo with aggressive guitar riffs and driving drums, while the last three tracks introduce more varied dynamics.
Vocals are delivered in a raw, unpolished style that complements the gritty instrumentation, often featuring call-and-response patterns.
The EP features a consistent use of repetitive hooks that create anthemic moments, particularly in the choruses of 'Lock & Load' and 'Shake, Shake'.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 5/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Lock & Load 3:34
2 Railyard Rumble 3:00
3 Shake, Shake 4:29
4 Get Away 4:01
5 Do It Again 2:11
6 Feel Like a Dog 2:09

What to play next

Listen next

Notes from a Ceiling

2005

Go back to

The Mess Hall

2001

Full The Mess Hall discography Artists like The Mess Hall

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata