AMG Review of Sweet Homewrecker

Gina Boldman
All Music Guide

Thrush Hermit don't completely fit in the hard rock or post-grunge category -- they've got a punk attitude to their sound, especially on Rob Benvie's tracks -- and on Sweet Homewrecker, their confusion is evident. Their lyrics are sometimes awkward, sometimes quite clever; songs range from pop-rock to heavy guitar-based rock. The single "North Dakota" was probably considered too "heavy" for most U.S. alternative stations in 1997 (though it did well in Canada); nonetheless, it's a rock anthem circa 1978. Overall, the album feels unfocused and uneven rather than eclectic, and the band seems to be searching for their own sound. However, tracks like "At My Expense," "Noosed and Haloed Swear Words," "Heart Wrenching Man" and "Without You?" make Sweet Homewrecker worthwhile -- and give a glimpse of where the band was headed next.