26.9.08

Western Fifth - Stand Like A Thief (2008)



Western
Fifth
is a band from the Minneapolis area with a sound that is hard to describe. There are roots elements at play in the music but the band does have a good rock vibe, as lonesome as it may be. I found them to be somewhat comparable to Band Of Horses only a little more straightforward without all of the fancy effects.

You might even liken some of Western Fifth’s songs to that of Wilco’s more recent output. “Wait Until Dark (A Good Time To Shine)” would be a good example of this sound. On “Smiles Of Gold” I love the way that Ryan Holweger’s vocals sound so aching. That is one of the best selling points of Western Fifth, the vocals. They aren’t perfect but that’s what makes them special. I love the way that the band allows all the instruments to stand out in the mix as well. There doesn’t seem to be anything with more priority.

Other pros with Stand Like A Thief is that the album actually has enough diversity even with Ryan’s rough vocals to make the whole thing enjoyable. The slight swing style of “Madeline” is probably the best example of where this band’s potential lies.

For an indie project, this package is professional as well. It comes in a greatly designed digipak. It shows that the band is serious about this album. Stand Like A Thief is one of the best unhyped albums this year.



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