Spring Break
'Ordinary Riches' just an ordinary album
3 out of 5 stars
Becky Radolf
Issue date: 2/26/09 Section: Focus
Company of Thieves is going to have to get a little more creative if it wants to be the next big indie band. The trio's debut album, Ordinary Riches, has all the makings of a fresh approach towards alternative music, but it falls short of breaking musical ground with a collection of tracks that tend to run together throughout the album.
To be fair, the guitarist Mike Ortiz develops some catchy and clean riffs and solos that shine through on several of the songs. The band also effectively uses some unconventional band instruments (namely, a piano and a harmonica). That said, the tune of each song tends to follow the same pattern: slightly eerie, a little jaunty and discordant, but tied together by Genevieve Shatz's wispy tone.
Undoubtedly, Shatz has a set of pipes. Her voice has the refined rasp of Norah Jones coupled with the edge of Feist. Those who think that girl singers of indie bands sound slightly whiny when they wail the angst-ridden choruses of their songs will be pleasantly surprised by the more melodic and smooth nature of Shatz. She effectively unites the pleasantly brisk instrumentals while maintaining a soulful and powerful presence in each track.
Those looking for a more traditionally alternative song will find it in "Oscar Wilde," which demonstrates Shatz's girly-angst as she belts out the playwright's famous quote, "We are all our own devils, and we make our own hell." "In Passing" proves to be both the most unconventional and catchiest song on the album, with a Burlesque-sounding chorus and jazzy progressions that Shatz's vocals flow through harmoniously.
Overall, this may be that one indie band that your mom doesn't consider to be pure noise, and they made a decent showing in their first album. Company of Thieves, however, still needs to find a more distinctive and less-repetitive sound before they'll steal a top spot on the charts.
To be fair, the guitarist Mike Ortiz develops some catchy and clean riffs and solos that shine through on several of the songs. The band also effectively uses some unconventional band instruments (namely, a piano and a harmonica). That said, the tune of each song tends to follow the same pattern: slightly eerie, a little jaunty and discordant, but tied together by Genevieve Shatz's wispy tone.
Undoubtedly, Shatz has a set of pipes. Her voice has the refined rasp of Norah Jones coupled with the edge of Feist. Those who think that girl singers of indie bands sound slightly whiny when they wail the angst-ridden choruses of their songs will be pleasantly surprised by the more melodic and smooth nature of Shatz. She effectively unites the pleasantly brisk instrumentals while maintaining a soulful and powerful presence in each track.
Those looking for a more traditionally alternative song will find it in "Oscar Wilde," which demonstrates Shatz's girly-angst as she belts out the playwright's famous quote, "We are all our own devils, and we make our own hell." "In Passing" proves to be both the most unconventional and catchiest song on the album, with a Burlesque-sounding chorus and jazzy progressions that Shatz's vocals flow through harmoniously.
Overall, this may be that one indie band that your mom doesn't consider to be pure noise, and they made a decent showing in their first album. Company of Thieves, however, still needs to find a more distinctive and less-repetitive sound before they'll steal a top spot on the charts.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 4
db
posted 2/26/09 @ 12:39 PM EST
You mistakenly identified the guitarist as Mike Ortiz. Mike is the Drummer. Marc Wallach is the guitarist. With a little research, perhaps your reviews would be more accurate. (Continued…)
lu
posted 2/26/09 @ 7:38 PM EST
ok, so, before you publish an article, you should probably get your facts straight.
mike ortiz is the DRUMMER, marc walloch is the guitarist.
how are we, the readers, expected to trust your reviews when you evidently don't even care to know who you're writing about? perhaps you didn't even listen to the album? seriously, consider bushing up on your research skills. (Continued…)
ml
posted 3/07/09 @ 3:45 AM EST
I find it difficult to take your opinion seriously if you consider piano and harmonica "unconventional" band instruments.
Post a Comment