Friendly Foes couldn’t be a more fitting name for this trio of seasoned punk and indie-rock artists’their songs are sweet, sometimes campy, but nevertheless refreshing and delivered with a devil-may-care attitude. Hailing from Detroit, the Friendly Foes is led by Ryan Allen of the post-punk outfit Thunderbirds are Now! His biting lyrics and infectious melodies work hand in hand in crafting the collection of catchy tracks that make up the band’s first full-length release, Born Radical. Bassist/vocalist Lizizie Wittman brings her pop goodness to most of the songs, thanks to her experience in the indie-poptastic band, Kiddo. She echoes Allen through most of the songs, adding in some oohs, ahhs, and yeahs that erupt into shrill bursts of excitement, and gets to shine in ‘Get Ripped,’ a bouncy track in which Wittman’s voice is like that of a sassy teenage girl with her fists out and ready for a fight. Drummer Brad Elliott, formerly part of The Satin Peaches, completes the package and pulls out the stops in ‘Epic Jamb’ and ‘Walk Home in the Dark.’ Occasionally the album slips into the territory of sounding redundant, but standout songs like ‘Get Yr Shit Together’ and ‘Lil’ Tiger’ are catchy as hell, undeniably fun, and quick to get stuck in your head. Pretentious indie-whatever this is not’the Friendly Foes are here to have a good time, and maybe kick some ass along the way.

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