Grand Animals, Grand Sophomore Album
T. Karnessis | Long Island, New York | 07/30/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I usually don't review albums so soon after getting them, but the Robbers' second album deserves an early review. I love it. It has so many different subtleties woven into the fabric of the music. What I love so much about this band is that they sound almost like they are from another time, maybe mid 70s? They are extremely talented young musicians, all of the members of Robbers being multi-instrumentalists & Ben, their singer, has been honing his already-gorgeous voice. He is not afraid of letting loose & really getting into the songs, rather than remaining detatched & too cool, as some singers today seem to be. 'Crown Victoria' is a swinging great time of a song & a perfect example of Ben, and the entire band actually, taking a risk on a style of song & working it so well that the song becomes the highlight of the whole album. 'The Ramp' is as hilarious as it is endearing: a tale about an accident that brings Leo Dicaprio to a dying boy's bedside! More album highlights include 'Across Your Knee' & 'Kick'em in the Shins', 'Nasty Numbers' & the superbly stiff yet groovy 'The Fatalist'. There are a few songs that hit me from the first listen as WOW, but this album requires repeated listens to get the most out of what the Robbers have worked into the tunes. They are obviously some serious musicians with some serious talent and some great ideas for songs."