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Tree City, the eagerly-awaited full-length debut by the New York quartet known as Robbers on High Street, has already been tipped by many as the first great rock 'n' roll album of 2005. The new disc—produced by the band and Peter Katis, whose credits include work with the likes of Interpol, Mercury Rev and the Get Up Kids—delivers on the abundant promise of the band's acclaimed debut EP Fine Lines, offering 13 bracing slices of brash, aggressive songcraft that blend youthful swagger and boundless energy with an insightful, introspective undercurrent that helps to set Robbers on High Street apart from the competition. Although they possess rock 'n' roll chops to burn, Robbers on High Street — singer/guitarist/keyboardist Ben Trokan, guitarist/vocalist Steve Mercado, bassist Jeremy Phillips and drummer Tomer Danan—also demonstrate considerable depth and imagination. Those qualities manifest themselves in the foursome's nuanced instrumental interplay and thoughtful, melodically inventive songwriting, which ranges from big, guitar-driven rock to subtly powerful balladry. That combination of restless musical creativity and lyrical insight elevates such memorable Tree City tracks as the witty, urbane "Spanish Teeth," the compellingly melancholy "Beneath the Trees," the infectious "Amanda Green" and the hauntingly intimate "Descender," whose pointed, pithy lyrics are matched by expansive arrangements that augment the band's punchy sonic stamp with judiciously deployed piano and horns. "I think it took us awhile to figure out what we really want and what sort of music we're good at making, but I think you can hear that on the album," Trokan notes. "I also think that these songs are more honest lyrically; I think we that maybe we were guilty of copping the whole rock 'n' roll attitude a little more on the EP. A lot of these songs are about figuring out who you are and what you want to do, about coming out of a protected realm to face the bigger world." "swaggering, citycentric ballads bolstered by wry, whip-smart lyrics and piano-driven melodies'." - Rolling Stone "heart-on-sleeve pop that straddles the line between John Lennon's 'Imagine' and the Rolling Stones' 'Sympathy for the Devil'." - Alternative Press (4 out of 5 Stars) "Prepare to get your heart stolen. Robbers On High Street are so good, it's Criminal." - Nylon "The Robbers' perfect combination of melody and harmony make every song stand out; the result is an album you'll play over and over." - Paper Magazine "13-song rollercoaster ride of infectious tunes over swaggering rhythms, boasting bold songwriting and myriad melodic gems." - Filter Magazine |
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