The Ballroom Thieves “A Wolf in the Doorway” Album Review

I am not sure if you would call it luck or if you would consider it just the way things happen to shake out, but I got to know the music of The Ballroom Thieves in a live setting before I listened to their 2015 release ‘A Wolf in the Doorway’. I always find it near impossible to capture the energy of a live performance in recorded format. Often times when you first see a band like the Thieves, with their spirit and intensity on stage, it seems impossible to harness that in a studio. Well, the trio proves that opinion false on ‘Wolf’…very, very, very false.

‘Archers’ set the pace of the record to be a powerful and poignant collection of songs. While the majority of the record could be technically classified as acoustic by the tools used, there is an electricity in the performances contained within. The band is on fire and sings with a passion that is unrivaled.

‘Bullet’ has a somber and hushed tone when it first kicks in, but it builds and builds. Really taking you for an emotionally driven ride when you listen. When the band erupts into the “where will you go?” lyric the tension rises and you can feel it.

‘Wolf’ has an electric blues kind of a vibe. It really moves and feels a bit gritty and dirty. There is some dirt on that track, and it’s a wonderful thing. There is a howl and heartfelt nature of yearning in the voices on the track. Reaching out for something and pulling you in close. I love it.

‘Bury Me Smiling’ gives us cellist Calin Peters voice at the forefront of the mix…and we are lucky to have it so. The boys back up Peters’ voice with haunting ooohs and hums. Haunting but delightful and with sense of hope of light. A sparse arrangement complements the beauty of her voice flawlessy. A faint brush on a snare and the pick of an acoustic.

There is an unwavering passion and chemistry in the music of this band. On occasion the sum of their 3 voices together sounds almost like one, perfected in how they socialize their voices, the true definition of harmony. They may garner comparisons to percussion drive heavy hitters like The Head & The Heart or The Lumineers, but percussion and harmonies are where the comparisons end. The versatility of these three is beautiful and awe-inspiring. Songs like ‘Saint Monica’ show the sincerity and somber weightiness that the band can balance out their high fervor and vigor that they are known for. This is a band with a lot to say and in many different ways. Lead singer Martin Earley may sing in a frenzied and impassioned manner, but there is a tenderness and hesitance to him at times. Endearing. 2015 was a big one for The Thieves and I cannot wait to see what 2016 brings them…