Thief Haven - Wonderful Mystical Jail Cell
Thief Haven is an experimental music collective currently consisting of main members Terry Beige and Walker Errol. Blending the realms of experimental pop, freak folk, neopsycedellia and indie rock, Thief Haven return to the nonchalant expressions of Gastr De Sol and Smog, while bolstering their own unique blend of surreal lyricism and vivid soundscapes.
Morgan’s Lullaby opens the album with a beautiful, warm stream of consciousness in conjunction with a gorgeous, stark contrasting snare and a divine arrangement of strings. Vocals are strangely mixed among the mysterious, yet enticing psychedelic folk in Dinosaur Kid. The following track, Pink Flower, is very delightful, and could have easily snugly fit in Animal Collective’s Sung Tongs, as could’ve I’ve Been Set (Adult). More impressive is the range throughout the remaining album, though, which delivers more range than the standard indie rock fair. Even when the compositions are simple, such as during Walk Beside Her and Rivers Have Turned, it’s quite alluring. The album slowly detracts further away from the psychedelic elements that made its opening tracks standout so much, though, which is a shame. Thankfully, there are many creative compositions and expressive moments further down the track-listing. The aquatic dissonance gives plenty of life to Folkahontas, as does the swirling poetry through The Rant (Child). Still Scared I’m Afraid has a surprisingly powerful and enjoyable vocal delivery, tapered off well by a stunning guitar solo. Lastly, Filming may have a rocky start, but delves into a fantastic, psychedelic trip down memory lane.
Thief Haven exceed in all categories, aside from production. The aesthetic is consistently on point, but there are certain inconsistencies within the mixing department that hold it back. Whether it’s awkwardly EQ’d drums, or the occasionally hiccup with vocal layering - it lacks the polish that helps bolster similar bands up a notch. On top of the inconsistencies, many areas are sadly muddy. Certain tracks, such as A Graveyard Misses You and The Crow’s Last Rattle are marred by this issue. Fortunately, like the grandiose Jove’s Cove by Wagon Lord, it works better with headphones on. Where the band lacks in production, however, they certainly make up for with creative compositions, making even the duller moments captivating. Thief Haven may just be one of the most promising bands of the 20’s so far, and if they can address their technical shortcomings, they will steal the show in the future years.
Really Good
Listen to it here:
https://thiefhaven.bandcamp.com/album/wonderful-mystical-jail-cell
