Reviews

From the first few notes of the band’s debut EP, Florida’s Only Thieves’ influences are worn on their sleeves. “Hammered for the Holidays” is one of the catchiest songs of the year with a pounding rhythm section and vocalist Jeremy Barnes’ voice coming across clear and controlled. The music sounds like ‘90s alt-rock of Superdrag mixed with the vocals of Rocket from the Crypt, which is a very good combination to hear nowadays.

All of their influences seem to be from the past, even down to the packaging, which playfully rips off Bruce Springsteen’s Greetings from Asbury Park, NJ. Though the rest of the EP tries to reach the apex of “Hammered for the Holidays,” it fails, but it’s not awful, it just doesn’t seem as good. The driving punk of “Watertower Scars” sounds like the singer of Hot Hot Heat fronting a punk band and it works because it’s such a different sound.

The instrumental intro of “Ghosts in Your Room” sounds like something not heard since Hum’s last album in 1998, driving rock with a nice dash of melody thrown in to spice up the mix. This band is out to change a few things in the music scene and this EP is an excellent way to kick it all off. Bringing everything complete to the 21st century, “Does This Bus Stop at 8th Avenue” sounds a bit like the Silversun Pickups musically while vocally sounds like Only Thieves.
This is an excellent introduction for a band that seems more than capable of establishing their own musical identity without relying too much on old influences. By the time their full-length comes out, they ought to be able to deliver a hell of a record based entirely on their strengths heard here. Until then, we’ll be able to hear where it all began.