Thief - Sunchild

Thief are a Jazzanova offshoot, winding into fashionable 'neo-folk' territory, and making laid-back ambient sounds as they go. This introductory twelve-track album meanders along at such a pace that it could pass you by without recognition. One could even go so far as to call it easy listening, Sunday morning lounge music, however this would be an injustice.

The more listens Sunchild gets, the more it reveals itself, with intricate off beat and occasionally atonal arrangements becoming ever more apparent and interesting. The feel of the music drifts wonderfully between folk, jazz, dance and even retro 60s' psychedelia. Track two, entitled Atlantic, is a perfect example of the latter description, and washes together watery warm keyboards with beautiful string and horn sections.

When it comes to comparisons it is rather difficult to put Thief in a box. In terms of musical exploration and innovative production the most obvious example could be Radiohead's Kid A, although the end product is markedly different. Where Kid A stays consistent throughout, holding the listener tightly to the concept, Sunchild feels as though a little too much has been attempted, thus leaving you confused by the end. The middle of the album tails off a tad, but is redeemed by the upbeat I Can't Remember, swiftly followed by the incredibly compelling and likeable (Like) Leaves.

This is undoubtedly a cracking debut album, full of texture, variety and intelligence, which creates great expectations of the inevitable follow-up. [Joe Lewis]