Search - Secret Affair :: Behind Closed Doors

Secret Affair's Mod Departure

P. Farnsworth | Metairie, LA USA | 08/15/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Behind Closed Door's was Ian Page's way of escaping the Mod Bandwagon, and with this album he successfully does so. Though the piano-bangin' intro to What Did You Expect may seem a little pompous and Who-ish, the rest of the album justifies such extravagance. Much more somber then Glory Boys, Behind Closed Door leaves straight Motown anthems/Mod arrogance lyrics behind and what we are left with are much more reflective, stronger lyrics and a shift in musical direction, to a sound which could only be described as Secret Affair. There's much more use of saxhophone and strings and songs such as When the Show is Over and the brilliant Life's A Movie Too illustrate what I can only describe as 'pop with class.' Songs like I'm A Bullet still showcase heavy 60s influences, but the Affair were using these more as building blocks then reference points(unlike 99% of the other New Mod bands). Sadly, this sank in the UK because of a mix of bad publicity, an awful album cover, and the reluctance of the band's yobbish following to embrace such a new sound. Shame, since this is probably the best album to come out of the entire Mod Revival."