British India - Thieves

Fri 29th Aug, 2008 in Music Reviews

Melbourne locals British India exploded into the independent music scene a mere twelve months ago, armed with their powerful debut album Guillotine. Aside from serving as high octane Sports Tonight background music, singles such as Run the Red Light, Black & White Radio and Russian Roulette enjoyed copious amounts of Triple J airplay.

Their prominent presence within the Australian music industry was firmly established once they earned a reputation for intensely exciting and raw live shows. This promise was shown to immense audiences, as British India wooed punters at major festivals such as Homebake, Pyramid Rock and the illustrious Big Day Out. Come 2008 and the young high school comrades have delivered their earlier promise with their second album, Thieves.

Following the successful production of the boys’ debut, Easybeats legend Harry Vanda is back on board to tweak and fine tune Thieves’ sound, this time joined by Glenn Goldsmith. This was accomplished without too much polish, allowing British India’s raw energy to be harnessed permanently.

Mixing almost-garage pop akin to Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, the anthemic choruses of Stereophonics, the lyrical wit of You Am I, and the youthful exuberance of their very own, British India’s sound on Thieves has broadened. The fist-pumping muck around of This Dance Is Loaded is beautifully offset by the Smashing Pumpkins’ ode God Is Dead, Meet The Kids, a lament for today’s jaded youth.

Guitarist/vocalist Declan Melia veers away from the commonplace whining on the triumphant first single I Said I’m Sorry to craft an instant hit. It was also a relief that the sometimes-fun titles (see You Will Die and I Will Take Over, and Funeral For a Trend ) are not indicative of a Panic At The Disco better-title-than-tune formula. That said, You Will Die and I Will Take Over is a brooding, bass-laden shout-along, much better than anything Grinspoon penned, whilst the latter is an effective, spiteful, play-on-words ballad.

Unlike their debut, Thieves does not falter mid-record. Whether producing thrashy arm-raisers such as Put It Right Down, or forming a tribute to teenage love ( Airport Tags ), British India’s penchant for a wicked melody is stronger than ever. Nic Wilson’s guitarmanship is showcased in intricate closer The Golden Years. Individually, the band’s skills have developed greatly. Instead of falling into familiar territory, Melia’s vocal range is experimented upon, pushing him above and beyond the lead singers of token Aussie acts banging around the usual traps. Bring on album number three.

Thieves is out now on Flashpoint/Shock Records.