Five years after their debut LP "Swell", Hard Feelings return with "Side Ways"- an album boasting a more honed craft of their brand of twangy yet heavy melodic punk. Despite Duluth Minnesota being nowhere near "the region", Hard Feelings carry the definitive Southern "region rock" torch with not only an obvious Midwestern accent (see: Frozen Teens, Dillinger Four) but also reminiscent of California-- for fans of Hickey, The Bananas, Sexy, Tulsa, Dory Tourette & The Skirtheads. "Side Ways" makes you feel like you're in a sweaty basement in the coldest part of the country. Hopeless yet optimistic.