When I heard that some of the guys from Southcott were forming a new band, I was pumped. When I heard the band's name was "Thieves & Villains," the excitement grew. And when there debut record, "Movement," was finally released I ended up enthusiastically indifferent.
Perhaps I was expecting too much.
We used to rock Southcott on the college radio station I used to work at. It was solid, fun power pop and when the band broke up after releasing just one record, I was disappointed that I'd probably never hear a follow-up. I suppose that is why I had so much hope for this Thieves & Villains record.
Not to say the record is horrible -- it's definitely not.
Musically, "Movement" is instantly catchy power-pop, with the title track leading the way. Though a tad "slick" sounding and overproduced, TAV can work a melody -- a fact that is well represented by the album's first three cuts: "Dry Throats Unite," "Movement" and "Let Go."
Lyrically, the album meanders a bit, causing the middle four or five tracks to blend together. Things pick up a bit at the end with "Atlantic Lungs" and "Settle, New York, Settle," but you may have forgot entirely who you were listening to by the time you get there.
Thieves & Villians' debut, "Movement," shows the same promise as Southcott's first record. Let's just hope these guys stick around long enough to make a follow-up.
The Denouement:
Quite Essential for fans of Southcott.
Fairly Essential for pop-rock fans looking to fill the gap between summer releases.
On The Web: http://www.myspace.com/thievesandvillains
Not to say the record is horrible -- it's definitely not.
Musically, "Movement" is instantly catchy power-pop, with the title track leading the way. Though a tad "slick" sounding and overproduced, TAV can work a melody -- a fact that is well represented by the album's first three cuts: "Dry Throats Unite," "Movement" and "Let Go."
Lyrically, the album meanders a bit, causing the middle four or five tracks to blend together. Things pick up a bit at the end with "Atlantic Lungs" and "Settle, New York, Settle," but you may have forgot entirely who you were listening to by the time you get there.
Thieves & Villians' debut, "Movement," shows the same promise as Southcott's first record. Let's just hope these guys stick around long enough to make a follow-up.
The Denouement:
Quite Essential for fans of Southcott.
Fairly Essential for pop-rock fans looking to fill the gap between summer releases.
On The Web: http://www.myspace.com/thievesandvillains
