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79. Nothing But Thieves - Nothing But Thieves (2015)

Alternative Rock

Every band is built around a cornerstone, whether intentional or not. It’s that one quality that everything else can be built upon and it can act as a constant amidst periods of change for the band. With some bands, this cornerstone is tough to identify. With others, like Nothing But Thieves it’s obvious. On opening track “Excuse Me” singer Conor Mason’s voice starts slowly, quietly, almost whispering, until he drops the leash and lets it fly, soaring into the chorus. If you’ve never heard him sing before, it just blows you away. If you’ve heard him sing a million times, it still blows you away. The band’s eponymous debut album is a vehicle for Mason to showcase his ridiculous vocal range.

Nothing But Thieves, along with Foals and some other British contemporaries, capitalized on a resurgence of Rock music in its purest form. The album finds them not fixing what’s not broken. Tried and true recipes are followed to the tee - predominantly high energy jams with a few ballads thrown in - Mason’s voice being the hook, line and sinker. He shows remarkable control and restraint throughout, knowing exactly when to hold back and when to let it go. The lead single, “Trip Switch”, is a perfect culmination of both, with gentle waves building to crushing, arena-shaking choruses.

*image; cover art for the album Nothing But Thieves by the artist Nothing But Thieves