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The Throbs had a brief but well-hyped career as New York's answer to Guns N' Roses -- not quite. 1991's The Language of Thieves and Vagabonds is their only album, displaying a definite glam influence direct from the ultimate source, the New York Dolls. The record is uneven, featuring sitar-laden slices of psychedelia that sometimes work ("Underground," "Only Way Out") and sometimes don't ("Ocean of Love," "Honey Child"). Likewise, the female backing vocals are a nice touch on "Sweet Addiction" but not on "Ecstasy," and cheesy piano tinkling just plain ruins the rockers ("It's Not the End of the World," "Rip It Up"). Finally, though it abuses the most clichéd descending rock riff in existence, "Come Down Sister" is explosive and ultimately infectious. [The 2007 Rock Candy reissue includes bonus tracks.] ~ Eduardo Rivadavia
