Kindest of Thieves – Debut album
With his debut album, Chris Fox, aka Kindest of Thieves, reveals a brand new genre I’m labelling ‘Gothic Ragtime Erotica.’ He adopts a traditional form of music from the early 20th century, reveals a more modern day emotional underbelly, whilst still maintaining the original sound as meticulously as possible without the use of additional technology. Certainly a brave move to explore such a specific area and era of music, but one Fox commands with some considerably style and aplomb.
A three track E.P released at the end of 2015, ‘The Taxidermist,’ highlighted the current direction of Kindest of Thieves, although none of those initial songs appear on the latest record, instead all new compositions contained.
In a recent interview and live session with Sonic Bandwagon (which included a version of ‘All the Trumpets in New Orleans’) around the release of ‘The Taxidermist’, Fox confirmed his song writing heavily involves the themes of insecurity, sexuality and mental illness, all of which are apparent here. In the deliciously titled ‘Cassandra Put My Leathers On’ evoking the scenario, ‘Remember when the flies were all over my body, you lay there naked, my sexual study’ and within ‘I Can Smell Her Mind a Mile Away’ we find him ‘sick with self-inflicted misery and it’s so masturbatory.’
There is however no aspect of sensationalism here, instead a delicate, yet intense personality perhaps grappling with his own demons and carnal desires. Kindest of Thieves take the listener beyond just simple entertainment, instead a sense of aurally witnessing a cathartic experience to a musical soundtrack of intimate personal choice.
Whether ragtime, even the Gothic Erotica type, has a wider audience I’m not sure, but I would implore anyone with an interest beyond the conventional, who appreciates the darker aspects of the human mind to explore this album wholly when available. No release date has been set yet.
https://kindestofthieves.bandcamp.com/album/the-taxidermist-ep
https://www.facebook.com/kothieves/
@KOThieves
About the Author
Andy Barnes An avid music fan for far more years than he cares remember, and an avid gig goer since the age of fifteen. Of the three Sonic Bandwagon presenters, Andy exhibits the most varied taste. It’s certainly not uncommon for a diabolically dark piece of Black Metal to be swiftly followed by minimalist electro pop, a laid back piece of ambient jazz or even a full scale hoedown.
