Steal the Light

Last updated

Steal the Light
Steal The Light Album Cover.jpg
Studio album by
the Cat Empire
Released17 May 2013
Recorded2012
StudioWay of the Eagle Studios
Genre Alternative
Length47:09
Label
  • Two Shoes
  • Inertia
Producer Jan Skubiszewski
The Cat Empire chronology
Cinema
(2010)		Steal the Light
(2013)		 Rising with the Sun
(2016)
Singles from Steal the Light
  1. "Brighter Than Gold"
    Released: 22 February 2013
  2. "Steal the Light"
    Released: 9 May 2013

Steal the Light is the sixth studio album by Australian band the Cat Empire, released on 17 May 2013, through Inertia Records and Two Shoes Records. It is the band's first release under an independent label, [1] and their first in a series of three albums by the band that were produced by Jan Skubiszewski. It was released more than two years and 10 months after their previous album, Cinema (2010) – the band's longest gap between albums at the time. It entered and peaked at No. 3 on the ARIA Albums Chart. Lead single "Brighter Than Gold" was released on 22 February 2013 to commercial success, placing at number 89 in the Triple J Hottest 100, 2013. [2] Another single, "Steal the Light", was released on 9 May 2013. [3]

Contents

Background and recording

Felix Riebl wrote most of Steal the Light in a two-star lodge in Athens, while the anti-austerity riots of 2011 were taking place. [4] He said that the album was written as a return to "to an energy that is present on our earlier albums". Unlike the band's previous album, Cinema , which was "about the band going through some shit", Steal the Light was written to be "more about dancing and the energy that our fans know us for". [5] The band announced in July 2012 that they were rehearsing for the album. [6]

Artwork

The cover art of the album is the work of Graeme Base, a longtime fan of the band, who convinced the band to lift their 12-year ban on cat references in album art. The choice of Base to design the album art came about when the band were discussing art direction for the record, and Angus suggested using Base's book Animalia as a visual reference. The band decided that they would instead "just call him up and see if he [would] do it". Speaking about his meeting with the band, Base said that he "sat down in the studio with the guys from the Cat Empire and listened to some tracks. We spoke about jungles and ancient civilizations and impossibly impractical instruments...and I tried to keep the grin off my face." [7]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Clash Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [8]
AAA MusicStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [9]
The Australian Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [10]
Daily Express Star full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [11]

Steal the Light received generally positive reviews from music critics. Cai Trefor of Clash called the "pluralist approach" to the album "truly uplifting and original". They concluded the review by stating that the "loose, energetic and rhythmic compositions [on the album would] change shape through improvisation live, but in the way they’re captured on Steal The Light, they are thoroughly enjoyable." [8] Penny Black Music's Dave Goodwin dubbed the album "infectious catchy", and a "little gem", and said that "if you like your music uplifting, funky, ska'd up to the max and different, [...] this is for you." [12] Tom Noyes of The Music described the album as an "audio holiday", and said that "Steal The Light shows that even after a decade in the game, the Cat Empire have still got it." [13] Rachael Pilkington from AAA Music stated that "every song is perfectly crafted and sits seamlessly together, despite sounding so different". [9]

Julia LeConte of Now said that "no one song is earth-shatteringly memorable, but Steal The Light was recorded to be played at outdoor grassy festivals with the intent of getting people up on their bare feet. At this it succeeds." [14] Sarah Elks from The Australian described the sound of the record as a "wild mash-up of styles and sounds, but the listener is left energised rather than motion sick", and called the album "fun and frenetic". [10] The Daily Express reacted less positively to the album, stating that the "curious mix of complicated rock, reggae and jazz espoused by this Melbourne-based sextet is oddly unsatisfying." [11] Witchdoctor reacted even more negatively to the release, calling the Cat Empire "musical tourists without an original idea in their heads who have let fundamentally dull songwriters rule the roost", and "a band without a centre, except for a singer/songwriter who comes up with the most embarrassing cod-philosophies." [15]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Brighter Than Gold"
  • Felix Riebl
  • Harry Angus
3:20
2."Prophets in the Sky"
  • Angus
  • Riebl
  • Ollie McGill
  • Ryan Monro
  • Will Hull-Brown
  • Jamshid Khadiwala
3:48
3."Steal The Light"
  • Riebl
  • Angus
3:45
4."Am I Wrong"
  • Angus
  • Riebl
  • Khadiwala
3:01
5."Wild Animals"Angus4:02
6."Still Young"Riebl4:18
7."Like A Drum"
  • Riebl
  • Monro
  • Khadiwala
4:39
8."Open Up Your Face"Angus4:24
9."Go"
  • Angus
  • Jan Skubiszewski
3:25
10."Sleep Won't Sleep"
  • Riebl
  • Angus
4:43
11."Don't Throw Your Hands Up"Angus4:08
12."All Night Loud"Riebl3:31
Total length:47:09

[16]

Personnel

Charts

Chart (2013)Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA) [17] 3
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) [18] 88

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">System of a Down</span> American metal band

System of a Down is an American heavy metal band formed in Glendale, California, in 1994. Since 1997, the band has consisted of founding members Serj Tankian ; Daron Malakian ; Shavo Odadjian ; along with John Dolmayan (drums), who replaced original drummer Andy Khachaturian in 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Incubus (band)</span> American rock band

Incubus is an American rock band from Calabasas, California. The band was formed in 1991 by vocalist Brandon Boyd, lead guitarist Mike Einziger, and drummer José Pasillas while enrolled in Calabasas High School and later expanded to include bassist Alex "Dirk Lance" Katunich, and Gavin "DJ Lyfe" Koppel; the latter two were eventually replaced by bassist Ben Kenney and DJ Kilmore, respectively. Nicole Row replaced Kenney in 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jimmy Eat World</span> American rock band

Jimmy Eat World is an American rock band formed in 1993 in Mesa, Arizona. The band is composed of lead vocalist and lead guitarist Jim Adkins, rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist Tom Linton, bassist Rick Burch, and drummer Zach Lind. They have released ten studio albums, the last nine featuring the current line-up.

<i>Steal This Album!</i> 2002 studio album by System of a Down

Steal This Album! is the third studio album by the American heavy metal band System of a Down, released on November 26, 2002, by American Recordings and Columbia Records. Produced by Rick Rubin and Daron Malakian, it peaked at number 15 on the US Billboard 200.

The Killjoys were an Australian pop, folk band formed in 1987. The mainstay members were Anna Burley on lead vocals and guitar and Craig Pilkington on lead guitar and vocals. They attracted a wide following in the vibrant pub scene. Their debut album, Ruby won the ARIA Award for Best Independent Release at the ARIA Music Awards of 1991.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Cat Empire</span> Australian band

The Cat Empire are an Australian jazz/funk band, formed in Melbourne, Victoria, in 1999. For most of the band's duration, the core members were Felix Riebl, Harry James Angus, Will Hull-Brown (drums), Jamshid "Jumps" Khadiwhala, Ollie McGill and Ryan Monro. Monro retired from the band in March 2021, while Angus, Hull-Brown and Khadiwhala all left in April 2022. They are often supplemented by The Empire Horns, a brass duo composed of Ross Irwin (trumpet) and Kieran Conrau (trombone), among others. Their sound is a fusion of jazz, funk, ska, and rock with heavy Latin influences.

<i>The Cat Empire</i> (album) 2003 studio album by the Cat Empire

The Cat Empire is the debut studio album of Australian alternative rock band the Cat Empire, which was released on 24 October 2003. It peaked at No. 15 on the ARIA Albums Chart and was certified 2× platinum by ARIA in 2005. Four singles were issued from the album, "Hello", "Days Like These", "The Chariot" and "One, Four, Five" (2004). At the ARIA Music Awards of 2004, the band received six nominations including Best Group, Best Breakthrough Artist – Album and Best Urban Release for The Cat Empire; Engineer of the Year and Producer of the Year for Baldwin's work on the album.

The Paradise Motel are an independent Australian rock band that formed in Hobart, Tasmania. In 1994, they relocated to Melbourne and issued two albums on Mushroom Records, Still Life (1996) and Flight Paths (1998). After relocating to the United Kingdom, they released a third, Reworkings (1999), before disbanding in early 2000. The group reformed in January 2008 and released the albums, Australian Ghost Story (2010), I Still Hear Your Voice at Night (2011) and Oh Boy (2013).

<i>Two Shoes</i> 2005 studio album by the Cat Empire

Two Shoes is the second studio album by Australian ska-jazz band the Cat Empire, which was issued on 19 April 2005. It is the follow-up to their successful self-titled debut album. It was recorded in November to December 2004 in Havana, Cuba. It débuted at the top of the ARIA Albums Chart and is the band's first number 1 album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tex Perkins</span> Musical artist

Gregory Stephen Perkins, better known by his stage name Tex Perkins, is an Australian singer-songwriter who fronted the Australian rock band The Cruel Sea, but has also performed with the Beasts of Bourbon, Thug, James Baker Experience, The Butcher Shop, Salamander Jim, and Tex, Don and Charlie. He has also released many solo records. In 1997, a portrait of Tex Perkins by artist Bill Leak won the Packing Room award at the Archibald Prize.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Felix Riebl</span> Australian singer, songwriter, and composer

Felix Riebl is a singer, songwriter, and composer based in Melbourne. He is the co-founder, band leader and principal songwriter of the internationally acclaimed band The Cat Empire, who have made multi-platinum albums, and are the 2006 winner of the World Music Aria Award for their album Cities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wolf & Cub</span>

Wolf & Cub are a psychedelic rock band from Adelaide, Australia. Three of the original members hail from Port Augusta. The four-piece were signed to record label 4AD, which make use of two drummers. This allows the percussive elements of their music to feature more prominently alongside the guitar. Their name derives from a comic from Japan, "Lone Wolf and Cub". Wolf & Cub signed to Last Gang records in North America. Their third studio album, Heavy Weight, was released in 2013.

<i>Empire</i> (Kasabian album) 2006 studio album by Kasabian

Empire is the second album by British rock band Kasabian, released in August 2006. The album went on to No. 1 in the UK Albums Chart upon its release and was preceded by the release of new single "Empire" on 24 July 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan Monro</span> Australian bassist (born 1981)

Ryan Monro is an Australian bassist, known for playing with Australian ska/jazz band The Cat Empire. He was bassist for The Cat Empire from its inception until 2021 and also plays in jazz trio "The Genie", which includes fellow Cat Empire members, Ollie McGill on keyboards and Will Hull Brown on drums. His cousin is Shaun Taylor, a farmer, and chef.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Empire of the Sun (band)</span> Australian electronic music duo

Empire of the Sun is an Australian electronic music duo formed in 2007. The duo is a collaboration between Luke Steele, of alternative rock band The Sleepy Jackson, and Nick Littlemore, of electronic dance band Pnau.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Twelve Foot Ninja</span> Australian metal band

Twelve Foot Ninja are an Australian heavy metal band from Melbourne, Victoria. They released their debut album Silent Machine in 2012. The band consists of Kin (vocals), Russ (drums), Stevic, and Rohan. They won Best New Talent at the 2014 Revolver Golden Gods Awards as well as two listener-voted awards from SiriusXM's Liquid Metal the year before. The band broke a world record for the most amount crowdfunded for a music video. Their first headline tour of Europe in April 2017 sold out five of the seven UK shows. In mid 2022, the band announced an "indefinite hiatus". Although, they are working on an acoustic album of Twelve Foot Ninja material. The release date is yet to be announced.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Cat Empire discography</span>

The discography of the Australian jazz and funk band the Cat Empire consists of nine studio albums, three live albums, three compilation albums, two video albums, four extended plays, and forty-two singles. The band has scored two number-one albums and six top ten albums on the ARIA Charts. They have been nominated for twelve ARIA Music Awards, of which they have won one. They were formed in 1999 by founding members Felix Riebl, Ollie McGill, and Ryan Monro. Long-term members Harry James Angus, Jamshid Khadiwala and Will Hull-Brown joined the band in 2001. The group independently released a live extended play, Live @ Adelphia, in December 2001, and their first live album, The Sun, in July 2002. In October 2003, "Hello" was released as the lead single from The Cat Empire. Later that month, the album was released under Virgin Records, peaking at number 15 on the ARIA Charts and giving the group mainstream recognition. It went on to be certified 3x platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) for shipment of 210,000 copies in 2012.

<i>Big TV</i> (album) 2013 studio album by White Lies

Big TV is the third studio album by the British indie rock band White Lies. It was released on 12 August 2013 by Fiction Records in the UK and Europe, and on 20 August 2013 in the US and Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sheppard (band)</span> Australian indie pop band

Sheppard are an Australian indie pop trio, formed in 2009. Their debut studio album, Bombs Away, was released on 11 July 2014, and peaked at No. 2 on the ARIA Albums Chart and was certified gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association, while their second single, "Geronimo", spent three weeks at No. 1 on the ARIA Singles Chart and was certified 5× platinum.

<i>Where the Angels Fall</i> 2023 studio album by The Cat Empire

Where the Angels Fall is the ninth studio album by Australian band the Cat Empire, released on 25 August 2023 through Two Shoes Records. It was co-produced by Felix Riebl, Ollie McGill, Ross Irwin, and Andy Baldwin, who had previously worked on their self-titled debut in 2003. Recording took place from October to November 2022 at the Merri-bek City Band Room, a community music space in Brunswick, Victoria. It is the first album released by the band following the departure of original members Ryan Monro, Harry James Angus, Will Hull-Brown and Jamshid Khadiwhala, and the first with new members Grace Barbé, Daniel Farrugia, Neda Rahmani and Lazaro Numa.

References

  1. ↑ Gumble, Daniel (23 January 2017). "PIAS acquires Australian label and distributor Inertia Music". Music Week . Archived from the original on 22 March 2023. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  2. ↑ "Hottest 100 – 2013 | triple j". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 10 September 2013. Retrieved 29 November 2022.
  3. ↑ "Steal The Light Video Clip". The Cat Empire. 8 May 2013. Retrieved 29 November 2022.
  4. ↑ "The Cat Empire To Hit The Forum". Beat Magazine . Archived from the original on 24 November 2023. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  5. ↑ "Interview – The Cat Empire: The ska/jazz band talk the new album, weird gigs and Melbourne's music scene". TNT . Archived from the original on 4 October 2022. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  6. ↑ "NEW ALBUM". The Cat Empire. 24 July 2012. Archived from the original on 14 March 2023. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  7. ↑ "Artwork unveil for new album 'Steal The Light'". The Cat Empire. 16 April 2013. Archived from the original on 15 March 2023. Retrieved 29 November 2022.
  8. 1 2 Trefor, Cai (29 August 2013). "The Cat Empire – Steal The Light". Clash . Archived from the original on 24 November 2023. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  9. 1 2 Pilkington, Rachael (14 October 2013). "THE CAT EMPIRE – Steal The Light". AAA Music. Archived from the original on 16 July 2023. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  10. 1 2 Elks, Sarah (1 June 2013). "Steal the Light (The Cat Empire)". The Australian . Archived from the original on 22 January 2018. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  11. 1 2 "CD Review: Cat Empire – Steal The Light Away". Daily Express . 25 August 2013. Archived from the original on 19 March 2016. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  12. ↑ Goodwin, Dave (15 November 2013). "Cat Empire – Steal the Light". Penny Black Music. Archived from the original on 23 November 2023. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  13. ↑ Noyes, Tom (1 May 2013). "Album Review: The Cat Empire – Steal The Light". The Music . Archived from the original on 24 November 2023. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  14. ↑ LeConte, Julia (23 May 2013). "The Cat Empire – Steal The Light". Now . Archived from the original on 24 November 2023. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  15. ↑ Steel, Gary (9 July 2013). "The Cat Empire – Steal The Light (Two Shoes) CD REVIEW". Witchdoctor. Archived from the original on 18 February 2023. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  16. ↑ "Steal the Light".
  17. ↑ "Australiancharts.com – The Cat Empire – Steal the Light". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  18. ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – The Cat Empire – Steal the Light" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.