ALBUM REVIEW THIEVES OF LIBERTY

SHANGRI-LA

REVIEWER – GRAEME WRIGHT

I first saw Thieves Of Liberty live at The Waterloo in Blackpool last year and almost ended up ripping them off for the price of a CD. Let me explain. I picked up their EP from their merch table and duly got all the boys to sign it before I made my merry way home. After checking my wallet I was mortified to realise I hadn’t actually paid for it so I contacted the band who just laughed and told me to buy them a pint next time I came out to see them. I ended up buying it again on Bandcamp and chucking a couple of extra quid in to cover the fees. The last thing I wanted was for when the band hit the big time they would regale the music press with stories about how a Rock journo had nicked one of their CDs when they were out on the road!

Anyway, I digress. The point of my story was to show you how they were all great guys and that if the live show was anything to go by they are brilliant musically and therefore there is a lot riding on the release of their new album, ‘Shangri-La’. Well there’s nothing to worry about on that score because this album is bloody fantastic. It contains nine songs of the highest quality and there is not a single dip in excellence throughout the entire forty minutes of this marvellous record. From opener Shangri-La it’s clear that the band have produced one of the best bluesy Rock/Metal albums of the year without question. With a hint of Bad Company and a dash of Whitesnake all mixed in with modern production methods and a band at the top of their game this is an absolute belter of a song and a fine start to the proceedings.

‘Sick Pup’ is up next and it’s clear this band are all about big riffs, immediate hooks and a highly emotive lead singer who is pitch perfect for this style of music. ‘Cherry Queen’ begins with an almost Sabbath-like opening riff before morphing into a foot stomping banger of the highest order. ‘Casual Tragedy’ contains a complex arrangement and a big chorus while ‘Rabbit Hole’ is full on Metal/Blues peppered with a highly impressive guitar break which is the icing on the cake for the song. The acoustic opening to ‘Until The End’ is a portent of things to come as the song picks up the pace a minute in and it’s clear this is a huge song that I’m sure will play a big part in the bands live sets for years to come. ‘Sweet As Today’ changes the mood and it’s a highly infectious traditional rocker with a hint of Summer about it. Then we are on to ‘Luminescent Daydream’, which is something very different from the preceding songs as it’s an epic ballad and is quite simply the best song I’ve heard all year. It’s a fantastic, beautiful song and you really feel that it could be the one to move this band to the next level if it gets the right airplay. Brilliant stuff that I haven’t stopped playing all week.

The album closes out with ‘Caviar and Diamonds’ and this band are hitting nine for nine as it’s another great song which finishes the album off in fine style. Great album, a great set of lads and a brilliant live band. You can’t ask for more than that and I implore you to buy their record, buy their merch and get out and see them live as soon as you can. I promise you won’t be disappointed

BAND

James Boak – Vocals

Kieran Wilson – Guitars

Liam Lindsley – Guitars

Peter Kinmond – Bass

Tom Bushby – Drums

ALBUM TRACK LIST

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