On The Body, the Blood, the Machine, the Thermals' third album, the band takes another step away from the inspired lo-fi racket of their debut, More Parts Per Million, and a giant leap further into politics. As they did on their previous album, Fuckin A, the band has streamlined their sound more and cleaned up the sonic mess that gave their debut such a dose of live wire electricity. Not that they've made a glossy pop record or any deal-breaking concessions to high fidelity; they just sound more professional and real. Besides, any raucousness or fire that has been subtracted from the musical presentation has been reinvested in Hutch Harris' insistent vocals and hot-to-the-touch politics. He takes on organized religion, conservative politics, war, and the general state of things in a yelping, near-hysterical voice that brings to mind Roky Erickson at times. Coincidentally, the comparison to Erickson makes a lot of sense. In the same way that Erickson's obsession with creatures, zombies, and two-headed dogs might put off listeners who don't share his mania, so too might fans of the Thermals' sound find Harris' polarizing views an obstacle to get past. You get the feeling they don't really care if they lose a few fans, though. Nobody who starts off a song ("I Might Need You to Kill") with the lyrics "locusts, tornadoes/crosses and Nazi halos/they follow, they follow" is looking to appear on TRL anytime soon. And it's not like the whole record plays out like a screed; there are still a couple of hooky indie punk tunes that will get the blood flowing. "St. Rosa and the Swallows," a heart-rending love/love lost song that rides a classic chord progression and Harris' loosest vocal into almost pop territory, is one of these. So is the pounding and melodic "Test Pattern." They provide a nice balance to the overtly political songs, and while they don't exactly throw open the blinds and let the sun shine in, they alter the gloom and doom just enough to make the record a success. With The Body, the Blood, the Machine, the Thermals haven't made another thrilling noisy gem like More Parts Per Million; they've made an inspired and inspiring, semi-grown-up indie rock record with more thought than thrills. There's no shame in that.
--- - |- DOOR TO THE FUTURE Date: 2008-07-20, 12:17PM PDT Where do you want to go? Who do you want to be? This door could be the first step in making your dreams come true. Imagine walking through this 28 3/4" x 78" door as you begin your new life, as the person you've always wanted to be... happier, funnier, handsomer, richer, and with firmer buns. It could be yours, right now. Give you...
More >
MOG is a truly beautiful & wonderful thing as are all it's inhabitants, citizens, and ambassadors.Here's to all of you who have introduced to me to the sweetest new music and unearthed the classic once forgotten gems. The music I've discovered on MOG is music I wouldn't want to be without - life saving and life changing. I think you should be commended so here's a comMogomendation for you all.B...
More >
This is the first album that I bought becuase of a year end list write-up...and it is amazing!! It puts organized religion right in its crosshairs and pulls the trigger...again and again and again...just a superb record!!And yes I will be marrying the bass player....And yes that was Colin from the Decemberists making a brief cameo...but don't blink, you will miss him!
More >
I've written about The Thermals new album, The Body, The Blood, The Machine (Subpop) before, but now there's an mp3 you can download.The Thermals know how to rock.The Subpop site wasn't letting me download it a few minutes ago, but hopefully by tomorrow you can check it out. Do so.http://subpop.com/scripts/main/download.php/?url=/downloads.php/free/A_Pillar_of_Salt383.mp3&mid=mp3
More >
"When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in The Flag and carrying The Cross" - Sinclair LewisThe words of Sinclair Lewis are the jumping off point for The Thermals' latest release The Body, The Blood, The Machine, due out August 22 on Subpop. The album offers a vision of the US as a fascist Christian state and explores what life would be like under such conditions - the control, the h...
More >
The recently added widget does not work for me, so I will just let you know that I got an advnaced copy of The Thermals new album 'The Body, The Blook, The Machine and also the new Thunderbirds are Now! album 'Make History' which I will be listening to on repeat until I get get a good enough feel for them both to let you all know if you should make a purchase or a download. But, very quickly, ...
More >
The really cool thing about being a rock critic is that you often get to hear amazing albums months before everyone else. (There are some totally uncool things, which I expect to get to in a future post, but anyway...) So you'll have to wait until August 22 to hear, The Body, The Blood, The Machine, the new album by The Thermals, but I'm listening to it right now and it's just become my alltime...
More >
Talking to some of my friends and family about my impending move to California is sometimes like banging my head up against a wall. They just can't imagine that are other ways to live your life that don't entail minivans and bingo nights. It is is insanely frustrating to talk in circles about why I am doing this...the ones who get it, totally get it...but those who don't think I am driving off ...
More >
I have lost track, but exactly how many hate speech spewing, ultra conservative,bible thumping, homophobic republicans turned out to be gay this year? 20 or so by my count...and the year isn't over...
More >
As i checked my calendar I realized that the Hold Steady/Thermals double bill that I am going to is on March 17th...St Patrick's Day...It will be be bad. But bad in the best sorta way,Now allow me to rock you with the song that i think was the best opening track on any album in 2006...did you hear that Grammy's? Now there is a category for ya!!
More >
So excited for the big show tomorrow night. I am looking forward to seeing the Hold Steady, but i CAN NOT WAIT to see the Thermals. And I finally get to see my girlfriend in real life ;-)Kathey FosterOh wait...that is Kathy Foster, clerical assistant....stupid google, let me try this again!Kathy Foster, awesome bass playerMuch better....now here's your future:
More >
This is the first album that I bought becuase of a year end list write-up...and it is amazing!! It puts organized religion right in its crosshairs and pulls the trigger...again and again and again...just a superb record!!And yes I will be marrying the bass player....And yes that was Colin from the Decemberists making a brief cameo...but don't blink, you will miss him!
More >
I am loving the latest Thermals disc more and more with every spin...its totally infectious.
More >
I've always liked the studio version of The Thermals' "A Pillar of Salt," check out this live version. What do you think?I know it says this is off The Body, The Blood, The Machine but it isn't, this is off a live album: Live [at the Echoplex December 7th, 2007]
More >
I can't contain my excitement for the show tonight. I'm about to blow!
More >
Performing "A Pillar of Salt" and showing Carson a taste of what real music is. Jesus this is good.Late March. 1ST network performance. Enjoy.
More >
I've written about The Thermals new album, The Body, The Blood, The Machine (Subpop) before, but now there's an mp3 you can download.The Thermals know how to rock.The Subpop site wasn't letting me download it a few minutes ago, but hopefully by tomorrow you can check it out. Do so.http://subpop.com/scripts/main/download.php/?url=/downloads.php/free/A_Pillar_of_Salt383.mp3&mid=mp3
More >
The really cool thing about being a rock critic is that you often get to hear amazing albums months before everyone else. (There are some totally uncool things, which I expect to get to in a future post, but anyway...) So you'll have to wait until August 22 to hear, The Body, The Blood, The Machine, the new album by The Thermals, but I'm listening to it right now and it's just become my alltime...
More >
MOG is a truly beautiful & wonderful thing as are all it's inhabitants, citizens, and ambassadors.Here's to all of you who have introduced to me to the sweetest new music and unearthed the classic once forgotten gems. The music I've discovered on MOG is music I wouldn't want to be without - life saving and life changing. I think you should be commended so here's a comMogomendation for you all.B...
More >
Know that I never once betrayed the MOG. Just ceased for awhile.More to come later. Good to be back. -C
More >
The recently added widget does not work for me, so I will just let you know that I got an advnaced copy of The Thermals new album 'The Body, The Blook, The Machine and also the new Thunderbirds are Now! album 'Make History' which I will be listening to on repeat until I get get a good enough feel for them both to let you all know if you should make a purchase or a download. But, very quickly, ...
More >
Bring Me Up is my blog site. Tons of stuff to keep up with, read about and listen to. It is updated multiple times each day because I'm slightly obsessed. I absolutely love music and writing. I also write for VENUS, Spacelab and Indie Music Xposed. So be sure to check out their sites as well.
More >
Click to purchase…
© 2006-2009 Mog Inc. All Rights Reserved
 "The Body, the Blood, the Machine")
