Review by; Accidental Music Reviewer
Hardened Blackpool based Rock n’ Roll Troubadours Takeaway Thieves have just released their new album “9” through Coffee n’ Mint Records and is produced by Dave Draper.
This band was new to me, but after listening to the intro to opening track “13 Feathers”, I knew I had come to the right place. Where the hell had I been before now? This is lowdown, gritty, dirty, whisky fuelled Rock N’ Roll. The best kind, the only kind of rock in my book.
Throw any rock genre related word at this record: Classic, heavy, hard, vintage; whatever you like, they will all fit perfectly. Fuzzy, grungy guitars and a thumping backbeat that never lets up. This is guaranteed to get at least some parts of your body moving and shaking to the rhythm.
Peter McLoughlin on vocals holds court as every lead singer in a rock band should do. His smokey, bourbon soaked voice fits like a velvet glove with the joyful barrage of noise being banged out behind him by his bandmates.
For newcomers to the world of Takeaway Thieves looking for musical references to gauge their sound, consider a mixture of vintage AC/DC, The Wildhearts, The Quireboys and The Blackhearts sans Joan Jett of course.
This collection of eight near perfect rock n’ roll anthems plus one stirring ballad do not sound like they have been chucked into a hat from a pile of song sheets that were scattered on some practice room floor. It sounds to me like these songs have been lovingly and professionally crafted and these nine in particular have been chosen specifically to make the biggest and most effective impression on the listener.
Musically all five band members sound like they are at the top of their game. Reading the band’s bio, the guys have served time in different bands in the past and it shows. They are all backroom battle scarred alright. They have paid their dues and played their fingers to the bone. And now, they are ready to showcase their skills to a much wider audience.
At just over half an hour in length, the album is over before you know it, feeling dazed, giddy with a sloppy grin on your face and reaching for the replay button.
On “Honky Tonk” Peter channels his inner Bon Scott with his strained, gravel lined voice made for this particular brand of rock n’ roll. Closing track “Stranger In This Town” slows things right down. This is a heartfelt ballad predominantly using keyboards to great effect.
This record is simply full of “Bangers”. Stand out tracks for me (so far) are “13 Feathers”, “Soothe Me” which is a great rock sing along song with an amazing guitar solo. “Big Mistake” has vintage AC/DC like meaty riffs and super cool vocals from Peter.
This is the way hard rock is supposed to sound like; Hot, heavy and sweaty. It triggers all of the right responses in any self-respecting rock fan. Head bobbing, air punching and foot stomping. This band sound like they can bring any house down when these songs are played live. I for one cannot wait to experience that.
“9” is a superb album that does what the band set out for it to do; Firstly - enter your life and rock your world. Secondly - leave you deliriously happy and hungry for more.
If I am correct in those assumptions, then Takeaway Thieves all that is left for me to say to you is: Mission Accomplished.
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