When I stumbled across “Horizon Line,” the title track from the 2015 debut album by Future Thieves, I knew I’d found something special. It serves as a perfect cross-section of everything the band has to offer: ingenious guitar licks from Austin McCool, a voice that’s equal parts smooth and raspy from Elliott Collett, and the driving rhythm section of bassist Nick Goss and drummer Gianni Gibson. Future Thieves isn’t a band out there pioneering new sounds or relying on outlandish aesthetics to garner attention. Instead, they’re doing exactly what a good rock band should do: staying true to themselves and playing damn good music.
Having formed just a little over two years ago, Future Thieves is a band whose talent is well beyond its years. Watching them play live, you just can’t help but be impressed. They treat the smallest stages like arenas with their break-neck energy, Collett hits every semi-growled note with the utmost ease, and each band member looks so relaxed and comfortable you’d swear you’re sitting in on band practice. In the past year, they've made quite the splash at various music festivals like Bonnaroo, Summerfest, and Live On The Green, in their hometown of Nashville.
Despite being based out of the country music mecca that is Nashville, Future Thieves is, above all else, easy-going and accessible rock ‘n’ roll. The hooks are infectious and the vibes are care-free. To add to the band’s depth, the tone and accent of Collett’s voice lends an earthy, Americana feel to their sound. Between the rock sensibilities that the guitars and rhythm section bring and the down-home, singer-songwriter quality to Collett’s vocals, there seems to be a constant game of tug-of-war in Future Thieves’ music in which everyone wins.
On Horizon Line, Future Thieves gracefully toys with a multitude of variations on their uniquely personal style. They’re in your face with bombastic, radio-friendly rock ‘n’ roll with “Diamonds” and “Soon.” They’re the perfect fit for hanging out at a backyard barbecue with a cold one on “Horizon Line.” They write upbeat, fun tracks like my personal favorite “The Floor” and heartfelt, poetic songs like “Golden State.” They’re able to throw curve-balls in the middle of their rock, case in point the jazzy interlude in their song “On Fire.” Though it’s drastically different from the rest of the song, this break does a fine job of showing off just how talented the band is as instrumentalists.
Considering how impressive Horizon Line is from start to finish, it’s safe to say we have a lot of good music to look forward to in the coming years from Future Thieves.
