King Thief | The Inferno (Shock City)

Call it alternative rock, call it emo, call it glam-tinged, but however you categorize it, the new release from local pop-punkers King Thief (formerly known as Ultra Blue) is practically a masterpiece. Strings and pianos lend a classic credibility to the rock-fueled tunes, and the boys truly put their best foot forward and leave listeners impressed.

"New England Hellcat" is deliciously catchy and single-ready; the song is richly vibrant, textured and toe-tapping. Soaring vocals and a group chorus quickly pull you into "Mahogany"; on "Red Light Reflex," frontman Brooks suggestively invites, "Give me love in a black dress/ just how low can you go?" Louis Wall's drums really stand out on this track, as does a pointed guitar line from Sam Hill. "XO" is, of course, the band's best known track, and here it's even sexier, a black ode to killing for love. The slow-burning "Exodus" is yet another example of each of the band members' strengths coming together in a gloriously spooky whole. Vocal effects play heavily throughout the disc, and are extra effective to kick off "Serpentine," yet another twisted tale of love gone wrong.

Kudos to the tight production on this disc, too; all the sounds are sharp, distinct, and beautifully meshed. This one's a real treat on headphones; aw, hell, it's a real treat, period. A

RIYL: Panic! At the Disco, My Chemical Romance