THE STEALS

EP REVIEWS
Category: Music
ACED magazine review :

Angelic voice.
Beautiful.
One which haunts you forever more.

Sound intriguing? You bet it does! After a quick google search yielded such tantalizing results, I was desperate to know more!



One of the most striking features of The Steals sound is Hannas astonishing vocal display. With the abundance of talent in the music industry, a good voice is relatively commonplace. Jayn Hanna; however, has a voice that could make the phonebook sound like a musical masterpiece. Displaying perfect pitch and astonishing vocal control (particularly at the upper end of vocal register), the emotion of Hannas vocals lends a serene, ethereal quality to the bands sound. While the beauty of her voice is obvious, the music showcases the diversity of Hannas singing, as she effortlessly adapts to deliver eerie, almost unnerving, evocative vocals.


EP REVIEWS
Category: Music
ACED magazine review :

Angelic voice.
Beautiful.
One which haunts you forever more.

Sound intriguing? You bet it does! After a quick google search yielded such tantalizing results, I was desperate to know more!

The Steals are Jayn Hanna and John Hogg, a UK based alternative rock outfit, with a difference - they are also the band that has inspired the above enthusiastic descriptions. Their EP, Floodlights, more than matches the hype.

The pair came together to form The Steals in 2003, in order to, as they put it, make music under the misguided, romantic, and wholly correct belief that they could create something beautiful." There may be a plethora of adjectives to choose from, but beautiful certainly seems the best way to describe Floodlights.

One of the most striking features of The Steals sound is Hannas astonishing vocal display. With the abundance of talent in the music industry, a good voice is relatively commonplace. Jayn Hanna; however, has a voice that could make the phonebook sound like a musical masterpiece. Displaying perfect pitch and astonishing vocal control (particularly at the upper end of vocal register), the emotion of Hannas vocals lends a serene, ethereal quality to the bands sound. While the beauty of her voice is obvious, the music showcases the diversity of Hannas singing, as she effortlessly adapts to deliver eerie, almost unnerving, evocative vocals.

Their music is characterized by simplicity and attention to detail. The uncomplicated backing allows Hannas voice room to flourish, uninhibited by a crowding of instrumental work. Hoggs acoustic guitar work is outstanding, complimenting the vocals beautifully and adding to the haunting quality of the harmony. To call the guitar work a mere backing is to do Hogg a great disservice. The combination of vocals and accompanying instrumentals gives the sound a richness and emotional depth which combines to make this album so enthralling.

Jayn Hanna has a rare voice, one not often found, it demands attention. I sat through the EP waiting for the moment she would let loose. We do get a taste of this on Give it all Back, but unfortunately that is as close as it gets. Although, perhaps an EP that leaves us wanting more is just what we want?

The title track, Floodlights, is, stunning. While Hanna certainly appears comfortable in both upper and lower ranges, her vocals are most captivating on this track with her voice taking on an angelic quality. With a simple, acoustic guitar backing and complimenting the vocals, this is undoubtedly my favorite track on the EP.

Sinner is another excellent track, which highlights the groups lyrical strength. The lyrics on the EP, like the vocals, are honest and emotional. As Hanna asks, Im a sinner, isnt everyone? The listener can sense the emotional force behind both lyrics and vocals alike.

Floodlights is as accomplished an EP as you are ever likely to find, and I can offer it no higher praise than that. Whether your musical inkling is towards rock, punk, or pop, The Steals have created a sound to intrigue and captivate all listeners. - ACED magazine

Jayn Hannas vocals are strong as much as they are sultry. The power and raw emotion she lays down for the listener is phenomenal. There is something nocturnal and passionately dark about this music, something that grabs at your emotions so much you can hear the rapid beating of your own heart.
- INFUSED Magazine

THE STEALS .. Floodlights EP - Is this an EP or a mini album? they said it was an EP. Six fine substantial rewarding tracks, six very fine tracks - delicate and strong and breathtakingly warm and soulful and melodic and rather haunting and slightly folky in a dreamy creamy misty early morning kind of way. Sultry slowburning blues-rock undertone, laid back slide guitars, mellow creamy blues rock and Jayn Hanna has a powerful angelic voice that really is just perfect .. simmering beauty, glowing, warm, mellow and just right

http://www.organart.demon.co.uk/neworgan175.htm
- ORGAN Magazine

ANOTHER LATE NIGHT:

Jayne Hannah, vocalist for The Steals, usually keeps busy producing dance tracks for the likes of Kylie Minogue and people of that ilk. But don't let that give you any preconceptions. With its moody basslines, reminiscent of an Urban Hymns era Verve, simple yet emotive drumming and sublime vocals, the Floodlights EP is a collection of tracks with a wonderful melodic, layered sound. Still unsigned, keep your ears peeled for this haunting music from the Leeds based band DM
- ANOTHER LATE NIGHT

GIG REVIEWS
Category: Music
Night and Day, Manchester.

The Steals are bold enough to go for something unashamedly more lo-fi. Its always a struggle to hold the attention of a passing audience but those who choose to tag along are taken on a dreamy trip through opener Out Of Your Hands.

Dusky vocals peak and plummet against a minimal backdrop of guitars and reverb and the set flows with a grace that seems beyond rehearsal. Give It All Back is a work of ethereal beauty.
The Steals are by no means ones to shake you by the throat, but with performances like this they might just sneak up on you unnoticed and leave you enthralled.

Ali Gaffney ( www.soundsofthecity.org )
- SOUNDS OF THE CITY

THE SECRET GARDEN PARTY : (acoustic set)

Over at the Up All Night tent, an astounding afternoon set is put on by The Steals, who's female singer, all elegant litheness and long ginger hair, has a voice that draws people in from the immediate surroundings. On closer inspection her songs are tremendous too, and the overall, sustained effect is of a rare beauty to behold. The Steals are certainly on the list of previously unknown bands who's music I'll definitely pursue after the festival, absolutely mesmerising and fantastic. - MUSIC OHM