Call The Police.
With a name like The Rivers its hard to second guess what the band are going to be like but there is the nagging feeling its going to be a standard indie racket that emanates from the speakers and 'Too Tied To Try' doesn't disappoint on that score.
The song has the feel of The Police with the drums and ska-flavoured guitar transporting the listener back to the 80s and a time when the mainstream was mad about bland bands saying very little, which isn't dissimilar to the current climate. On that score, The Rivers may find themselves doing a handy bit of business.
'Love or Whatever' at its best moments hints at the rock n roll looseness of the Kings of Leon, particularly in the ragged vocal delivery but by and large, its just an average swing-along track that is well suited to being a b-side.
They are supporting The Kooks on a few shows and they'll fit in wonderfully. Pity that fans of The Kooks are not the sort of people you would credit as being music fans so they'll have next to interest in the support act but perhaps that's for the best as these songs just about cut the mustard but may start to struggle if put under any greater examination.