(Kittiwake, 2011)Secret Rivals are likely to divide opinion if you’ve never heard them before. A painfully ‘indie’ band, the guys have their influences emblazoned on their foreheads and dance excitedly back and forth over the line between being inspired by and being derivative of their influences. For example, “These Are Only Obstacles” pretty much IS an early Idlewild song mixed with some Blink-182 guitar melodies and vocal interplay while “Blisters” could be an Interpol song if you took away the boy/girl dynamic. On the plus side the songs are chirpy, upbeat and full of energy which makes Secret Rivals a welcome change from the droller indie bands that the city has to offer. On the downside the affected, mockney vocals become tiresome after the first two songs. If you like twee, earnest indie pop in the new-millennial mould then Make Do and Mend will surely melt your heart.
[Originally published in Oxford Music Scene magazine, issue 15]http://www.oxfordmusicscene.co.uk/images/oms_issue15.pdf
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