Written by: Nick Ashton
Band:
Album Title:
Release Date:
Thieves of Liberty
Shangri-La
15th November 2024
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 modern rock scene. Since that momentous day the Sunderland 5-piece have not looked back as they have won over fans one gig and one festival slot at a time. This relentless rise in the consciousness of grassroots rock fans culminated in the band winning a slot at Firevolt Festival as Battle of the Bands winners in 2023 and saw them return to play higher up the bill this year. So it was with great anticipation that I sat down to listen to their full-length debut album Shangri-La. I was already familiar with a number of the songs, as they have been drip fed into the live set over the past 12 months or so but hearing the collection together for the first time is a stunning experience.
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 eight more luscious examples of modern rock at its finest 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 number with James channelling his inner James Brown to lead the faithful congregation with an evangelical fervour.
Speaking to Kieran and Tom at Firevolt this summer ahead of their set I asked whether they were going to play any new songs. The answer was yes, but they also said that they were saving some of their best songs for the album launch and let me tell you they were not kidding. 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 dumb 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 latest single Caviar & Diamonds which closes the album with a brash style guaranteed to put a smile on your face and some Thin Lizzy-esque dual guitar work.
The Thieves of Liberty have done more than meet expectations with their debut album. Not only does it confirm what we know from their live shows which is that they can play catchy, hook-laden modern hard rock: it also shows that they have matured as song writers and can explore emotional depth as well as rocking out with the best of the rest.
Thieves of Liberty are:
James Boak – Vocals
Kieran Wilson – Guitar/Vocals
Liam Lindsley – Guitar/Vocals
Tom Bushby – Drums/Vocals
Pete Kinmond – Bass
Track Listing
- Shangri-La
- Sick Pup
- Cherry Queen
- Casual Tragedy
- Rabbit Hole
- Until The End
- Sweet As Today
- Luminescent Daydream
- Caviar & Diamonds