The Hands That Thieve
by Streetlight Manifesto
User Score
8.8

Universal acclaim- based on 20 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 20
  3. Negative: 1 out of 20
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  1. jbs51
    May 4, 2018
    10
    I am not a ska-punk fanboy. I generally like music ranging from country, to rock, to alternative. However, this album is one of the coolest things I have in my collection. I've listened to Streetlight's previous stuff and thought that it ranged from "ugly noise" to "pretty good." However, this album absolutely blew me away. Most bands will make an album where they put a lot of effort intoI am not a ska-punk fanboy. I generally like music ranging from country, to rock, to alternative. However, this album is one of the coolest things I have in my collection. I've listened to Streetlight's previous stuff and thought that it ranged from "ugly noise" to "pretty good." However, this album absolutely blew me away. Most bands will make an album where they put a lot of effort into the first three songs and maybe try something really inspired for the final song. All the stuff in the middle is just them phoning it in. That is absolutely not the case with "Hands that Thieve." It feels like they put painstaking effort into every single song to make it the most epic and beautiful thing they could muster. Lyrically the album is very good, though it can sometimes be hard to understand. The horns and guitar are also hitting you with a wall of sound that just sounds so incredibly powerful, but rarely does it ever devolve into harsh noise. If this album doesn't get your blood pumping, there is something wrong with you. There are almost no downsides here. At worst, I would say that one or two songs on the album are merely good, and sometimes the trumpet sounds weak. Most bands are lucky to have one or two amazing songs on an album, this album has at least five. If you like alternative rock, buy this album. You do not have to like ska-punk to love this. I can not recommend it more highly.… Expand
  2. CreamyGoodne55
    Apr 24, 2018
    8
    The album is good but its almost spoilt by the issues surrounding this record and Victory Records. The songs are almost all written about them and the problems they faced making this and who can blame them really when you read up on all the issues they had during making this album and the 4 years following it.

    With that in mind you have to take the album how it comes and its the worst    The album is good but its almost spoilt by the issues surrounding this record and Victory Records. The songs are almost all written about them and the problems they faced making this and who can blame them really when you read up on all the issues they had during making this album and the 4 years following it.

    With that in mind you have to take the album how it comes and its the worst of the 3 full album releases. Thats not to say its bad album, the title song is one of the best songs they have ever made, its just it doesnt hit any of the heights of The first two albums.    … Expand
  3. ScotchRobbins
    Jun 20, 2015
    10
    I would go so far as to call this the single greatest ska experience to date. It's telling, intricate, emotional, loud, delicate, balanced, charming, and even all of those aside, amazingly well written. It's almost a world apart from traditional frat-boy ska, so serious and grim at points but absent of surrender. It's the tale of the underdog, the fooled, the thief, the king, the priest,I would go so far as to call this the single greatest ska experience to date. It's telling, intricate, emotional, loud, delicate, balanced, charming, and even all of those aside, amazingly well written. It's almost a world apart from traditional frat-boy ska, so serious and grim at points but absent of surrender. It's the tale of the underdog, the fooled, the thief, the king, the priest, the tramp, and those who will someday be champions. You owe yourself a listen to this record, it left me a changed man.… Expand
  4. TheHonestCynic
    Jan 2, 2014
    9
    I've waited too long to hear the original works of Tomas Kalnoky and the boys Streetlight Manifesto once again. Ever since the vague, unfinished version The Three of Us at 2012 warped tour, each and every member of the band has shown how much they have evolved and improved as musicians. The album was delayed and fine-tuned for what seemed like years, but it's finally here, and all thatI've waited too long to hear the original works of Tomas Kalnoky and the boys Streetlight Manifesto once again. Ever since the vague, unfinished version The Three of Us at 2012 warped tour, each and every member of the band has shown how much they have evolved and improved as musicians. The album was delayed and fine-tuned for what seemed like years, but it's finally here, and all that time and perfection finally shows. Some songs seem like a callback to older albums and some feel like something totally new.

    Lyrically, some songs on THTT don't quite hit the high bar that Streetlight have set for themselves. More often then not they do, and how. Songs like "Toe to Toe", "Ungrateful", and "The Littlest Things" offer something different from the usual commentary on religion and politics. Whereas songs like "With Any Sort of Certainty", "Your Day Will Come" and "The Three of Us" continue the theme that Streetlight Manifesto has maintained through most of their albums, and does a terrific job while doing so.

    The Hands That Thieve is always a pleasure to listen to. This is mostly because of the incredibly advanced and varied instrumental section that Streetlight Manifesto keeps improving with every album. Tomas demonstrates his vast self-taught knowledge on guitar and Jim, Mike, Nadav, and Matt create incredible riffs on the horns. Pete maintains his title as the most underrated bass player ever, and Chris continues to create varied and extremely precise drum beats and rolls.

    Overall, The Hands That Thieve holds it's own as one of Streetlight Manifesto's best albums and quite possibly the best recent Punk-Ska album release. Keep up the incredible work. I give this album a 9.3/10.    … Expand
  5. dontrapemybrain
    Oct 19, 2013
    10
    An album about the human experience. In a beautiful culmination of both sound and lyrics Streetlight Manifesto has painted an image that can only be described as human. Songs charged with the struggles and emotions of most of our lives. Rather than singing of shallow fantasies and ill fitted relationships Toh Kay sings about what most of us can relate to; like the struggle of deciding toAn album about the human experience. In a beautiful culmination of both sound and lyrics Streetlight Manifesto has painted an image that can only be described as human. Songs charged with the struggles and emotions of most of our lives. Rather than singing of shallow fantasies and ill fitted relationships Toh Kay sings about what most of us can relate to; like the struggle of deciding to leave the nest and make a break for all your hopes and dreams or to stay with what is safe and secure with a life of simple pleasures such as family. Truly beautiful. It is a shame music like this isn't more popular.… Expand
  6. RodrigoReyes
    Jun 19, 2013
    10
    It is streetlights manifesto, but you can clearly feel a lot stronger feelings than in the previous records (most due to the conflicts with the label), much more passionate and a more sophisticated sound, in my opinion the bands masterpiece only beaten by the acoustic version by Toh Kay which was canceled.
  7. sadpanda
    May 10, 2013
    9
    While still not on the level of their transcendent debut, Everything Goes Numb, The Hands That Thieve is another excellent addition to their repertoire; fantastic horn arrangements, inspirational lyrics, lots of whoa-oh's and everything you've come to love from Streetlight is here. The only problem I have is that the production is not as clear as SITB or EGN, and the songs here have lessWhile still not on the level of their transcendent debut, Everything Goes Numb, The Hands That Thieve is another excellent addition to their repertoire; fantastic horn arrangements, inspirational lyrics, lots of whoa-oh's and everything you've come to love from Streetlight is here. The only problem I have is that the production is not as clear as SITB or EGN, and the songs here have less thematic diversity than their previous albums, but nonetheless, there isn't a single weak song here.… Expand

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 4 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. Sputnikmusic
    May 9, 2013
    84
    It’s so perfectly and lovingly written and produced, recalling everything that made you fall in love with the band and their life affirming sound to begin with.
    Read full review
  2. Alternative Press
    May 9, 2013
    80
    On the whole, these are fast paced, highly-charged ska-punk songs, but they’re riddled with musical flourishes and nuances–not to mention impossibly catchy hooks.
    Read full review
  3. PopMatters
    May 9, 2013
    70
    The Hands That Thieve may not quite live up to Streetlight’s last album, 2007’s magnificent Somewhere in the Between, but it is another strong addition to their catalog.
    Read full review
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