LIAR THIEF BANDIT – Deadlights

5/10

LIAR THIEF BANDIT - Deadlights - 5/10

5/10

Summary

The Sign Records
Release date: May 14, 2021

[spoiler title=’Metal Express Radio – Ratings Scale’ style=’default’ collapse_link=’true’]

10.0: Cannot be improved! Perfect, instant classic! Essential in any record collection.
9.5 – 9.9: Fantastic, spectacular and outstanding!
9.0 – 9.4: Amazing release! It just lacks that little extra spice to make it perfect.
8.5 – 8.9: Exceptional release! Will likely rank among top ten albums of the year.
8.0 – 8.4: Great release! It has many different qualities.
7.5 – 7.9: Above average! It is an enjoyable release.
7.0 – 7.4: It is not brilliant, but has many strong points.
6.0 – 6.9: It has its moments, but is not that strong.
5.0 – 5.9: Slightly above average, does not stand out. Good outweighs bad by just a little.
4.0 – 4.9: Just below average, bad outweighs good by just a little.
3.0 – 3.9: Mediocre. There might be a song or a performance that is enjoyable, but that is it.
2.0 – 2.9: Very weak! There might be a light at the end of the tunnel, too many flaws.
1.0 – 1.9: This release gives the word “terrible” new meaning.
0.1 – 0.9: Awful! Avoid at all cost. There is nothing good to say about this release.

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The Backstory

Deadlights is the third studio album by the Swedish power trio Liar Thief Bandit. The group describes their sound as a combination of ’70s Garage Rock mixed with late ’90s Modern Rock.

The Album

If you like your guitars fuzzy and your snare poppin’, then you are going to love the album’s title track “Deadlights.” As advertised it has a raw, Post-Grunge sound with a decent amount of reverb on the vocals. “Good Enough” hits you hard and fast with William Grube’s frantic drum work and Mike Jacobson’s quick-tongue delivery. Liar Thief Bandit display some great vocal harmonies for a trio on “Catch and Release.”

Jacobson’s guitar work is unavoidable on “Feather.” There are plenty of quick licks and a blazing solo. It’s bassist Niklas Dahre’s time to shine with his deep grooves on “I’ve Got a Lot of Money Coming In.” It’s just Jacobson’s faint guitar and strong vocals on the long opening to “Forever The Optimist.” The band ends the album with the energetic track “Hindsight.”

The Verdict

Deadlights is a middle-of-the-road Rock record with shades of early ’70s and late ’90s in the mix. The album lacks any real hooks that get stuck in your head, or grooves that you will easily recall. However, the band sounds really full and tight for a three piece.

TUNE INTO METALEXPRESSRADIO.COM at 0600 & 1800 (CET) / 12 am & 12 pm (EST) TO HEAR THE BEST TRACKS FROM THIS UPCOMING RELEASE!!!

Tracklist

Deadlights
Brand New Day
Good Enough
Catch and Release
‘Cept the Truth
Limitations
Feather
I’ve Got Money Comin’ In
Forever the Optimist
Silver Tongue
Right From Wrong
Hindsight

Liar Thief Bandit is

Mike Jacobson – Guitars, Vocals
William Grube – Drums, Percussion
Niklas Dahre – Bass, Backup Vocals

About George Dionne 288 Articles

George was a contributor here at Metal Express Radio, reviewing albums and conducting interviews, out of Massachusetts, USA. George has contributed to numerous music related websites and blogs, and even managed his own from 2004-2009. George's first assignment was covering a live show by the mighty GWAR. By contrast his later assignments featured Judas Priest, Van Halen, and Bon Jovi. George was also the front man for the South Eastern Massachusetts cover band Sound Tower from 2009-2015. Sound Tower played 300+ shows across MA and had two original songs on the Cape Cod radio station PIXY 103. George enjoys a good whiskey, scotch, and/or bourbon and fights crime in his spare time.