The Butter Thief
One style seemingly absent from retro-rock resurfacings in
the '90s is that mid-80s-based combo of layered synths, drum
machines, and quirky new wave/goth vocals over funky danceable
pop songs.
The Peter Murphy/Fixx-style high quality baritone voice of keyboardist,
"rhythm programmer" Brian Riley, complimented by Warren
Smith's climbing slap bass, shines like gold over smooth N.Y.C.
"Quiet Storm" arrangements of acoustic piano, conga-filled
drum beats, lush background vocals and guitar/synth textures
that are really easy to listen to.
Although this Duran Duran/Thomas Dolby approach is dated, this
is the type of crossover music that if it hits it gets radio-play
in both the dance and rock formats ('FNX, 'BCN, and KISS 108).
The blend of the arrangements in "Down Your Road"
with its laid back Miles Davis muted trumpet, the chorus of
"Three Long Gones on", the angelic Kate Bush-styled
backing vocals of "The Big Photos" where people chattering
and cameras clicking away pepper the Prince-ish steady bouncing
piano, and ending in a lonely cello line sliding through thunderous
explosions are nice music highlights. However the catchiest
hooks are also the most dated as in, "Breath Falls Away",
and "Lower Gorilla".
Hartley Batchelder finalized the lovely cover artwork of Krishna
as an innocent sky-blue faced child shaded in a lavendar swirl
hypnotically staring onwards with deep brown eyes while mischievously
sucking on a middle finger dripping with stolen butter (hence
the title).
Inside the cover, nonsensical, dream-oriented lyrics are in
every song. "Matches on the table, Edie and her friends
move into rooms" works the best in "Bombay Taxi".
Even though Brian's vocal delivery is very good, it might be
helpful if the lyrics had a little more direct meaning. Also
a real drummer, rather than a drum box, would kick the music
to a higher level, as would capitalizing on more modern techno/rave-styled
elements over Riley's killer voice and well-crafted ideas.
-THE NOISE (Boston, MA) April 1998 Issue
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Shave Librarian is the effort of two musicians, Brian Riley
and Warren Smith. The duo, along with guest performers and friends,
creates a collage of songs reminiscent of the British bands,
Tears For Fears and XTC.
The Butter Thief is filled with music for the thinking man
(and woman), with
its seductive allure and ethereal edge. Riley and Smith author
relentless,
visceral hooks, searing them into the aural senses of the listener.
You need only to sit back and enjoy the layers of sound through
a competent set of
headphones to fully recognize Shave Librarian's message. But
don't be surprised when you succumb to their magic, they weave
a potent spell with their unprecedented delivery.
-METRONOME (Boston, MA) July 1997 Issue
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Like a breath of fresh air on a smoggy day, Shave Librarian
presents something a little different than your normal everyday
musical selections. With a sound based on keyboards, programming,
and heavy bass, the band can be described as anything from an
80's dark synth pop band, to something more along the lines
of a progressive rock band when they start mixing in some of
the other instruments. Headphones should be considered for maximum
enjoyment of all the sounds spewing forth at any particular
moment. You'll be reminded of many other bands as you listen,
but things change so frequently, that they never get into a
rut of being just another so-and-so. Some of the names that
came to mind while listening include Thomas Dolby, Tears For
Fears, Yes, Midge Ure and Ultravox, even a little old Styx at
times. "This Tar Baby" and "Lower Gorilla"
have a Thomas Dolby feel, heavy on the bass giving it a dance
edge, but this generic 80's sound is not the norm. Most of the
time you are wrapped in a myriad of electronic rhythms, from
ambient and soothing, to upbeat and explosive. I have to give
this one high praise just for daring to be different, but when
it's done this well, it needs to get added to the must have
list.
Top Cuts: Breath Falls Away, This Tar Baby, Zoo Fed Soon
*Added to "HOT PICKS" list on (06/03/98)
-CDREVIEWS.COM (Online Review)
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Very imaginative. Good musicians too. Halcyon, mystical, magical
- oh lets say Peter Gabriel? Perhaps certain cuts I've heard
by David Bowie, but that's a good strength. Got a keen little
press kit with stickers, cards, info chunks and a letter to
us [thanks]. They're also going to be listed on the SoundCheck
website. Nifty. Lots of synth soundscapes; yes there's drums
and bass and such, but they're used in unusual and melodic ways.
This is certainly not your typical pop group - way too much
mood for that. [Isn't my punctuation just horrendous?] So it's
a pro package and what they may lack in commercial viability
they more than make up for in virtual visualization. It's a
grand collection highlighted by the cathartic Zoo Fed Soon,
the beaty, 200 Dozen Roses and the sonic tickling of Down Your
Road and Lower Gorilla. It's a good listen.
-BOSTON SOUNDCHECK Issue #23
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The CD starts out with "Down Your Road", a funky,
surreal explosion of reverb and wall-to-wall stereo tracks.
The bass is mighty impressive with it's deep-end impact. This
is a trip worth taking several times. "Underwater Case"
a synthy production cascading with hypnotic instrumental timbre
and harmonics. Spatial ecstasy. "This Tar Baby" intense.
"Breath Falls Away" European emphasis of the 80's
combined with the techno age of the 90's takes over where Duran
Duran left off. Very uplifting and moving presentation. "The
Big Photos" like a peek inside a monastery during harmonic
worship. Echoing into every groove is the distinct omnipresent
doom factor attributing to it's foreboding intensity. "Raincloud"
Oozing with atmosphere and disruptive karma. Moody apprehension
that adds to suspenseful undercurrents. If you breathe deeply
enough, you can smell the storm brewing. Powerful. "Lower
Gorilla" the subdivisions of the beat make for a potpourri
of musical drama. "Zoo Fed Soon" ranks up there with
Herbie Hancock, my friend. "200 Dozen Roses" catchy
tune. "Bombay Taxi" haunting, eerie, disembodied,
full-flavor sound. Oddly satisfying with it's macabre tone.
IN SUMMARY: Shave Librarian is one of those uniquely genius
groups that knows how to effectively utilize technology into
an art form. Right up there with the musical ingenuity of Herbie
Hancock, Shave Librarian creates illusory images of drama combined
with intense digitalized backdrops for a creative, dynamic and
earth-shattering presentation. Exceptional execution of original
material and impressive musicianship combine to make this CD
an indie music lover's, symbol of American techno-age pride.
-INDEPENDENT SONGWRITER WEB MAGAZINE July 1998 Issue
FEATURED IN A TRIBUTE TO THE
TOP 12 BANDS IN THE UNITED STATES!
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