The Badger Herald: ArtsEtc.: ‘Thieves’ rob indie fans of musicality

ArtsEtc.

‘Thieves’ rob indie fans of musicality

Despite grand opening with ‘Oscar Wilde,’ lack of extraordinary leads to failure on CD

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Also by Samantha Stepp:

Black Crowes burning up with 'Frost' (September 13, 2009)
Rodrigo Y Gabriela feel lucky on '11:11' (September 9, 2009)

By Samantha Stepp
Thursday, February 26, 2009 8:11 p.m.

4 Vote 0 Votes

For the past few years, the indie rock world has curiously settled its gaze on the alternative singer/songwriter group, Company of Thieves. Fans marvel at their somewhat revolutionary sound, which juxtaposes classic rock with a wry, Regina Spektor-ish, stereo-girl-type voice. Cynics predicted they would never move beyond the local coffee shop performance stage. The independently released Ordinary Riches was released in May 2007 as the band’s debut album and has since won them some national press recognition. The re-release of Ordinary Riches (Wind Up Records) provides us with an opportunity to look back and to judge whether or not their sound is a reflection of their success of late.

The first two tracks, “Old Letters” and “In Passing,” are a fun, bluesy opening to this album. Deadbolt, stop-action keyboard and grouchy guitar intersperse with Genevieve Schatz’s alternating soaring and wispy voice to create a sound that just isn’t satisfied with the garden-variety indie rock classification. These first two tracks set the foretold precedent of two seemingly contrary musical styles unexpectedly in sync with each other. Unfortunately, this acceptably entertaining combination does not last the whole album.

After its initially impressive opening, Ordinary Riches loses wind. The problem is not with the album itself — it is rooted in the band’s style. All the different elements of the music (guitar, drums and vocals) are suitable on their own, but Company of Thieves often sounds like a group of three soloists trying to perform together. Sure, they have their commendable lyrical, musical and synchronized moments within certain sections of certain songs. No song on this album, however, can be singled out as one good, cohesive piece of work. Company of Thieves’ style is directionless; they don’t have a specific manner or technique that they adhere to. This faulty construction causes the bottom to drop out of their music, and confusion and dissatisfaction on the part of the listener.

Schatz’s tumbling, sonorous voice as she belts, “We are all our own devil/ We all our own devil/ We make this world our hell,” in the chorus of “Oscar Wilde” gives the song the shine it needs to be labeled as the “feature track” of the album. The creative word riff jumps out at us and is just enough to surpass the rest of the song’s imperfections.

“Quiet on the Front” would be the perfect song for lazing around the house on a Sunday, if not for the sudden stopping and starting of harsh guitars. The effect is probably meant to mirror the unpredictability of real life, but the effect on a listener overall is unsettling.

“Even in the Dark” manages to maintain an even-tempered tone throughout, however, there is a fine line between calming and sleep-inducing, and this song crosses that line. The rest of the album follows in suit. Driving guitars and unexpected explosions of sound make several attempts at pumping energy into the remaining songs. The album thus remains on the boundary line between incoherent and boring.

If this album is an accurate depiction of the scope of Company of Thieves’ musical abilities, perhaps Schatz should consider recording a solo album. Ordinary Riches is just that — ordinary, and lacks the vivacity it needs to drive it out of the peripheries and into the main focus of the music world.

2 stars out of 5.

4 Comments | Leave a comment

Dan B | February 27, 2009 5:40 AM | Reply
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No, they’re not a perfect band. “Ordinary Riches” is not a perfect album. While it may not be “Excellent”, it is far from “Poor”. It is far more worthy than “2 stars out of 5”

It was recorded by a young band who themselves had only been together for a few months. My take on it is that they were still “learning each other” at the time of recording.

The author critiqued the album, which is fine. The author also critiqued the band with just one example of their work which is an album now creeping up on being 2 years old.

I watched Company Of Thieves perform once in the summer of 2008. They are much refined & much more “put together” as a band as how they’re presented on their album.

Ordinary Riches, for some, is an acquired taste. I’ve listened to the whole album about 3 times. So far, it has gotten better each time I have listened to it.

I am much more optimistic about the future of Company of Thieves.

Anonymous | February 27, 2009 9:03 AM | Reply
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First of all, this album was recorded with a full band - guitar, bass, drums, keys, and various other instruments sprinkled throughout. It was produced by Sean O’Keefe who has stacked up credits with other bands of note. As a freshman album, written over two years ago, this is a gem.

The “faults” you call out on this album show you totally miss the mark and don’t “get” this band. Musically, they are extremely talented and their spectrum is varied and wide. Lyrically, the scenes we’re taken through go beyond bubblegum chewing and whining over lost love - we make discoveries and change directions at the same time.

CoT may not be your cup of tea, but others have fallen deeply in love with this debut.

Anonymous | March 3, 2009 12:08 AM | Reply
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Wow…

I’d like to see what bands you like.

Couldn’t disagree with this review more.

~Nickolas Blazina.

Anonymous | March 9, 2009 11:20 AM | Reply
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I also couldn’t disagree with this review more either. What are you talking about when you say,

“The effect is probably meant to mirror the unpredictability of real life, but the effect on a listener overall is unsettling.”

I don’t think you give listeners enough credit. We are not all the same and definitely don’t fit into the same mold. It is these kinds of musical surprises and nontraditional musical experimentation that I LOVE. That’s the same reason why The Pixies, Feist, Bjork, and other experimental artists are so successful. I’m not saying that CoT is AS experimental as those artists. However, what you are criticizing this band for, is exactly what I love about them and what made those other bands so popular.