BEGGARS & THIEVES - review added 7th December 2011
Album Review: We Are The Brokenhearted (2011)
For fans of: Classic Rock
New York band Beggars & Thieves formed in the late 1980s by current members Louie Merlino and Ronnie Mancuso. Their self-titled debut came out Christmas 1990, a couple more followed in the mid-to-late 1990s."We Are The Brokenhearted" is the first full studio album since.
I saw these guys at the UK's Firefest Festival in 2010 and have to say they didn't do a lot for me. However, this album is anything but uninspiring. The style is classic rock mixed with indie-cool, modern clarity, pop melodies and a punk edge. It works brilliantly and makes for a genuinely interesting vibe it's impossible not to find affection for.
Louie Merlino's vocals aren't ridiculously rock, but he has a load of attitude and character coming out of his mouth. The musicianship is understated and very easy on the ears. There's plenty of power to the playing, but it never gets in-your-face.
Of the songs, 'Oil & Water' is best by a country mile...in fact it's one of the finest songs this year. 'Seven Seconds' is excellent too, and a number of other tracks work very well. There aren't any fillers, even if some of the songs aren't quite as strong as the best.
In Summation:
B&T don't sound much like anyone else out there, they write good songs, and have put together a fine album. Definitely worth a punt, if just for track 2.
Entertainment/Enjoyment:
Musicianship:
Vocals:
Song Writing:
Production:
Overall (Not An Average Of The Above):
Track List:
01. We Come Undone
02. Oil & Water
03. Innocence
04. Never Gonna See You Again
05. Beautiful Losers
06. Seven Seconds
07. Stranded
08. Wash Away
09. Midnight Blue
10. We Are The Brokenhearted
Band/Performers:
Louie Merlino: Vocals
Ronnie Mancuso: Guitars
Erik Gloege: Drums
Blake Newman: Bass
Other Info:
Label: Frontiers Records
Artist's website(s): Beggars & Thieves | MySpace | Facebook
