Reviewed by Wayne Gough

Secret & Whisper emerged after the Canadian alt rock band Stutterfly parted company with Chris Stickney and recruited new vocalist Charles Furney. The first fruits from them coming together is 'Great White Whale'. While there is an emo edge to the sound, both the lyrical content and delivery are too upbeat to easily fit into that pigeonhole. That is not to say there isn't some angst and soul searching in the deep, complex and at times frankly baffling lyrical landscape woven by the band. The lyrical enigmas are also not helped by Furney's vocal style which while passionate and committed tends on occasion to veer to the wrong side of screechy on the higher notes. On the other hand, one of the big pluses on this album is the multi-textured musical arrangements from socking drums with impressively riffing guitars. There is a good mix of songs on this album from the ferociously catchy "XOXOXO" to the more tempered yet just as memorable "Anchors". Well worth a second or third listen.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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