Ojet Records recently moved to Austin after ten years in Houston, but for their first relocated release they’re putting out a Brooklyn band, Bull Thieves. Luckily, Ojet chose well, as Bull Thieves’ self-titled debut is an effective near-post-rock procession that doesn’t get lost in the stratosphere.
Near-instrumental (the only words are, "We’ll all fade away," repeated) opener "Sons of the Morning Town" introduces Bull Thieves & Bull Thieves well. There’s a slow, deliberate pace throughout the record, though the songs do vary in size, from the expansive "The Quiet" to the restrained "Across the Ice". The band does better when bigger, as a restrained procession can feel like it goes on a bit, while an expansive one can feel epic without being overdone. But Bull Thieves are best when they introduce emotion to their sound – "Summer Clothes For Anna Marie" is evocative in a New Wave style, but clearer, yet without being obvious, and stand-out/closer "My Sheep Still Sleeps In Your Meadow" is not only growing but also powerful, and rhythmic.
"My Sheep" points to further improvement from the band (who do originally hail from the Houston/Galveston area), and Bull Thieves could use more of it, as the processions, while effective, can start to all feel like the same song. Still, Ojet might be putting out the new Elysian Fields later this year, but they’ve already got a release to get notice.
MP3 Stream: "My Sheep Still Sleeps In Your Meadow"
