Fast, melodic, hardcore punk infused with melody. That is the short and sweet description of what you can expect from The Steal's debut full-length, The Steal, which is a fourteen-track effort that clocks in at just over twenty minutes.
The Steal begins with "Breakout," a near two-minute slab of melodic hardcore that draws equally from the likes of Kid Dynamite and Gorilla Biscuits. For the most part this is the same realm in which The Steal operates throughout the entirety of their full-length. There are minor variations in styles here and there that give the songs a little flair, but they are not substantial enough to really make one think otherwise.
"Little Dip" is a sub-minute blast of scorching hardcore. "World Wide Web" is slightly more upbeat than the two preceding tracks; there is a slight pop-punk vibe, in the traditional sense of the genre, in the guitar-work of Lindsay Corstorphine. "The Steal" features a nice mid-song bridge section that is followed by some awesome sing-alongs. "Mr. Door to Door" prominently features a series of pogo-ing riffs and catchy vocal melodies for the chorus; the result is somewhat reminiscent of Anti-Flag. "Wonderstuff" closes out the album in the perfect blend of modern hardcore and traditional pop-punk think Daggermouth and Shook Ones.
Lyrically, vocalist Mark Pavey touches on a variety of topics. "World Wide Web" deals with the problem of Internet bickering. "Clothing Rack" attacks the transformation of the hardcore and punk scene into a fashion show, taking the focus away from the music and the words. The band tackles vices on "Up in Smoke" and "Loudest Voices." The former is an anti-smoking number while the latter is directed at being or not being straightedge and the freedom to choose who you are.
The Steal is one of the better bands to come out of the U.K. in the past few years. Even though it is a country that is primarily known for its Brit-pop, garage rock, and new wave, the hardcore and punk scenes of the U.K. are forces to be reckoned with. The Steal as well as Gallows, The Break In, Rot in Hell, Deal With It, etc
are knocking at your door, so answer it and take a listen.
