Bitter Rivals - Sleigh Bells
Bitter Rivals Image
Metascore
69

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 14 Ratings

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  • Summary: The third full-length release for the Brooklyn duo includes influences from pop and R&B music with a majority of the melodies written by singer Alexis Krauss.
  • Record Label: Mom & Pop Music
  • Genre(s): Pop/Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Indie Rock, Indie Electronic, Noise Pop
  • More Details and Credits »

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    Oct 7, 2013
    91
    It's all still loud and lovely, but with a fresh dose of dynamism. [11 Oct 2013, p.72]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. Spin
    Oct 9, 2013
    80
    While 2010 debut Treats was an exotic, overdubbed roar (Big Black-meets-the-Waitresses for people who give a shit about those references), and 2012's Reign of Terror winked through a heavy heart at Mutt Lange's scorched-earth sound field, Bitter Rivals is sly and sleek.
  3. All Music Guide
    Oct 7, 2013
    70
    Sleigh Bells' studies in contrasts aren't shocking anymore, but the fact that they sound more natural on Bitter Rivals makes this some of their most enjoyable music since Treats.
  4. Drowned In Sound
    Oct 16, 2013
    70
    Ultimately, Bitter Rivals offers the comfort of familiarity while being different enough to avoid breeding contempt.
  5. Los Angeles Times
    Oct 11, 2013
    63
    Throughout the album, you get the sense that Krauss is doing stuff she’s been waiting for years to try out, and that appears to have pushed Miller into fresh territory as well.
  6. The Guardian
    Oct 3, 2013
    60
    It's the airier, less belligerent songs that prove most memorable.
  7. Consequence of Sound
    Oct 8, 2013
    40
    Bitter Rivals could be explained as playing to Sleigh Bells’ strengths, but mostly it gets stuck in the weaker aspects of their previous albums, busying up the mercifully brief tracks with unnecessary filler, and definitively showing the dangers of nostalgia taken too far, with nu metal serving as a warning for pop punk, and freestyle, and whatever else might next resurface.

See all 25 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. vern
    Oct 8, 2013
    8
    With Bitter Rivals, Sleigh Bells exhibit an affinity for pop music as well as 80's-era R&B. While there are still moments of glee-filled, rock-out ecstasy like before, bright synths and sunny melodies are favored this time around, which will definitely divide fans (old and new). But if you are willing to accept that this is Sleigh Bells in pop territory, you will see that Bitter Rivals proves to be a catchy, energizing, and entertaining 30 minutes of pop rock bliss.… Expand
  2. messerhani
    Oct 8, 2013
    7
    It's still the good ol' Sleigh Bells, and some moments on Bitter Rivals are among their best, but as an album it's as quick and pleasant as a hit in the head its flow is just too fast, songs seem to end in their middle and overall, it ends before you notice it all began. It's really fun to listen, but not very rewarding it would greatly benefit from more studio time. I know they wanted to do it fast, but was it worth it?… Expand
  3. WadeVS
    Oct 13, 2013
    5
    Dipping slightly into more 80s keyboards and more distinct vocals are the only change here. They were a great novelty band but I'm getting bored with them now. They need to better think out their next move coz this stuff is fading faster than hair-dye.… Expand

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