The Statue Thieves are a psychedelic rock band from North London whose sound ingrates elements of country, blues, and even funk – like the best artists synthesizing a multitude of influences, while at the same time creating something totally brand new.
‘Revolutions In Your Mind‘ is the band’s latest EP, and it sees them coming more in tune with their own sound.
The EP opens with ‘Comedy Of Errors‘, a strong start with a twaggy acoustic riff underneath momentum built by drummer Gennaro Oliviero‘s steady four on the floor pound. The dynamics continue in the power chord filled chorus before it’s all brought back for a sparse guitar break which soon explodes into the song’s final chorus, where lead singer Craig Ingham‘s sly, breath filled vocal style may remind some of the Brian Jonestown Massacre’s enigmatic band leader Anton Newcombe.
The krautrock rhythm of ‘Colours In a Book’ begins with a sinister punk bass riff and icy guitar feedback. The ringing but melodic chorus has shades of shoegaze, and the anthemic “shine a light” refrain remorselessly sticks in the mind. Halfway through, the pace changes on third track ‘Long Way From Home’. Producer and lead guitarist Iván Muela fills the track with sparse instrumentation and engulfing reverb, setting the mood for personal lyrics which help to make this the most emotionally captivating track on the EP.
Later, the groovy ‘Love Ain’t Here To Stay’ is led by Muela’s jangly and funky guitar hook. The rhythm section of Oliviero and Montague locks into a steady groove which allows Ingham’s quiet confidence and Muela’s outstanding guitar playing to shine. It sounds like a lost Stone Roses track, but everything conversely culminates on a fuzzy T-Rex-esque guitar solo.
The epic closer ‘Meditation’ is already one of the band’s signatures. It starts with an eerie sparseness but quickly picks up the tempo with propelling high-hats. A heavy funk chorus riff breaks out, but Muela soon settles into a coasting guitar groove. There’s a classic rock break and a fade out, but then one last treat via a slide wah-wah freak out.
The Statue Thieves have progressed a lot from their debut, self-titled EP. They’ve honed their sound and their influences in a way that few bands are able to. Muela’s lo-fi but far reaching, reverb filled production is similar to My Morning Jacket’s early records. While each song nods to different influences and vibes, they all remain uniquely tied together via the laces of their own brand of rock n’ roll.
With the music industry becoming more and more homogeneous, it is exciting to hear a band as diverse and as fresh as this.
