Amoeba Music

You could forgive Streetlight Manifesto their latest album title if you read their backstory — the ska stalwarts have been robbed of their equipment twice, crippling their ability to play. Still, the New Jersey band soldiers on, and their fifth album continues doling out energetic third-wave ska for a fervent, diehard base of ska fans. The Hands That Thieve is a dynamic collection, starting with the multipart “The Three of Us,” a battle cry of sorts for the band that seems to chronicle the band’s progression, though multiple lineup changes, mammoth tours and various challenges. The title track similarly sees an epic arrangement, starting with a simple strummed acoustic guitar and sultry horns building to pub-rock verses augmented with galloping percussion and raucous shoutalong vocals. Since the band has announced it will no longer tour as frequently, the album can’t help but feel like at least a temporary swan song for the band. If that’s the case, they leave listeners feeling like they gave it their all on the thorough The Hands That Thieve. More