Tree City

Robbers on High Street

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 22, 2005)
• Original Release Date: February 22, 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: New Line Records
• ASIN: B0007IO7EA
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #71,058 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
This New York City-based band sounds a lot like Austin, TX-based Spoon. A lot. And seeing as this is their first full-length, and it’s rock music (so of course musical theft is involved to some degree), not to mention that Spoon is a pretty excellent band to start one’s career sounding like, the act will not be judged too harshly for sounding so much like Spoon. Even though they totally do, from singer Ben Trokan‘s wide-mouthed enunciation to the piano-driven, vaguely Beatles-y melodies, and rhythm-guitar heavy crunch. The production seems a bit slick, as if the group was going for some Interpol-type success, while the songs would perhaps be better served at a studio like Easley in Memphis. The lyrics are bright and not too serious ("Some things you can do in the city: walk around in circles/ meet Japanese girls"), while the band really plays these pretty waltz-pop songs well. Just, someone, anyone, please buy them some other records before they record again. The results are eagerly anticipated. --Mike McGonigal

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wah-hah-hah...they sound like Spoon! how dare they..., July 28, 2005

By	Thomas P. Coombe (Easton, PA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

...gimme a break, just don't Gimme Fiction when ROHS' debut record is a lot more exciting that Spoon's latest. I'm sick of hearing about Robbers on high street ripping off Spoon (apparently the indie rock equivalent of blowing up a school bus).

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 5 star debut album, January 31, 2007

By	T. Karnessis "Terri" (Long Island, New York) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is such a good debut album, that if this band only gets better with future releases, they will not be a best kept secret in indie rock for very long. The singer's voice is pretty much perfect: he hits the low notes & the high notes, sings soulfully & at times, seductively. The drums, piano, bass & guitars sound like they were never without each other: sounds like music made by good friends who are having a lot of fun. The words sound vague, but purposely vague. The enigmatic lyrics keep you listening after the melody hooks you in. In the future however, I would love to hear more open lyrics from them because the singer's voice could really do wonders with painfully honest words. In that respect, I would say they COULD be like Spoon, who started out making cool, short, addictive, but obscurely-worded songs, and later went on to open themselves up to different musical styles & more open lyrics, always re-inventing their sound. That is what I hope for, for this immensely talented band. As for THIS release, the seductive voice of Ben Trokan over the tight (sometimes dreamy, see Descender or Price & Style), catchy melodies makes for a fantastic 5 star debut.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This Review Will not Help You, March 21, 2005

By	Kenneth E. Anderson "kenny mayhem" (Portland, OR) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Maybe The Robbers will keep Spoon from getting lazy. Being derivative can be a cop-out, but no harm is done. And there is, as Sonic Youth teaches us, no wrong way to make music. This is a great record. These songs stand alone.