THIEVES OF LIBERTY have existed in one form or another for several years now, but it was not until the pandemic forced the previous incarnation of the band to call it a day that the stars aligned and the present line up of James Boak (vocals), Kieran Wilson (guitar), Liam Lindsey (guitar), Pete Kinmond (bass) and Tom Bushby (drums) burst onto the rock scene.
Now this highly promising British quintet are releasing their full-length debut album ”Shangri-La”. Opening with the title track itself, Thieves Of Liberty immediately set out their modus operandi for all to enjoy: driving hard rock guitars, a swinging rhythm section and powerhouse vocals that can gently caress your earlobes one second before switching to blistering hurricane force 5 strength the next. Add to that a swaggering confidence, earworm melody and shout-along chorus, the result is that by the time the song has finished you just want to hit play to hear it all over again.
But resist the temptation as there are more luscious examples of modernized hard rock waiting for your attention…
Sick Pup starts with a slower pace before the first of many killer guitar solos ups the ante and we’re off again. There’s a sleazy, lust-fuelled undercurrent to the hip thrusting Cherry Queen while Casual Tragedy has some funky bass lines straight out a 1970s blaxploitation movie.
Rabbit Hole is a master class in how to build tension. Just when you think you know what is coming next after the big chorus in the middle of the song, they strip the sound down to a simple chugging riff and kick drum beat before gradually building up the pace towards a final climactic explosion. This is going to be a great audience participation.
Until the End is in another league compared to anything that you have heard from the band so far. It builds slowly, starting with just an acoustic guitar and a reflective vocal underpinned by some tasteful orchestral keyboards before the main riff kicks in and the melody washes over you. Just when you think it couldn’t get any better the pace ramps up again for a gorgeous guitar solo and one final victory lap through the chorus. Honestly, there are more ideas in this one song than you will find in most albums being released by the Thieves’ contemporaries.
After that we need a big ’80s style rock song: step up Sweet As Today which could have been a big hitter on MTV back when rock still ruled the world. Continuing the ’80s theme, Luminescent Daydream is the big, lighters in the air ballad proving that the Thieves have both a depth and breadth to their songwriting skills. This will be the big emotional highlight in the middle of the set when they are playing big stages in a few years’ time.
After which, as we all know, the energy levels are bought up again by an upbeat feel good sing along. Enter Caviar & Diamonds with its brash style guaranteed to put a smile on your face and some Thin Lizzy-esque dual guitar work.
The bonus tracks are goodies too. Ain’t Going Home is a fluid, modern bluesy rocker with a kick ass chorus, whilst Calypso keep your foot tapping with a driving broken riff and dancin’ swagger.
Overall, this is a highly accomplished and encouraging debut exhibiting a solid aptitude for composing and arranging potent rock songs, very well produced.
Vocalist James is a most charismatic frontman. His tones just demand your attention throughout, while guitarists Kieran and Liam should take equal credit for the structure, flow and ultimately allure of all their solos and interplay. One of the consistent stylisations are the breakdowns, which will irresistibly instigate audience participation before the band power through to dashing finishes.
Balancing classic with contemporary, THIEVES OF LIBERTY has recorded a really strong debut here.
Highly Recommended
1. Shangri-La
2. Sick Pup
3. Cherry Queen
4. Casual Tragedy
5. Rabbit Hole
6. Until the End
7. Sweet as Today
8. Luminescent Daydream
9. Caviar and Diamonds
Thieves Of Liberty – Shangri-La 2024, MP3+FLAC
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