Tag Archives: Kill Rock Stars

CD Review, Entertainment, Music

CD Review: Personal Life [2010]

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Band: The Thermals
Release: 9/2010
Label: Kill Rock Stars

1. “I’m Gonna Change Your Life” – B+
2. “I Don’t Believe You” – A
3. “Never Listen To Me” – A-
4. “Not Like Any Feeling” – B+
5. “Power Lies” – B+
6. “Only For You” – A-
7. “Alone, A Fool” – B
8. “Your Love Is Strong” – B+
9. “A Reflection” – B+
10. “You Changed My Life” – B+

Comments: The Thermals, how am I so divided on thee, I do not know. You guys are catchy and stuff, although vocally a little annoying. Sorry. I said this about your last album, too. You sound good, don’t me wrong. “I Don’t Believe You” is an amazing track. It’s their best since “A Pillar of Salt,” maybe because it works so much like that one. What is admirable about The Thermals is that they work against the grain of traditional “pop-punk” or revivalist “post-punk.” The instrumentation is superb — you can kind of tell these guys have “had it” since they’ve formed. This saves them on the songs that aren’t of “A Pillar” or “I Don’t Believe You” substance. When all is said and done, I think this is a really positive step forward for The Thermals. It’s a better record than Now We Can See.

Grade: B+ (88)

CD Review, Music

CD Review: Dear God, I Hate Myself (2010)

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Band: Xiu Xiu
Release: 2010
Label: Kill Rock Stars

1. “Gray Death” – D+
2. “Chocolate Makes You  Happy” – C
3. “Apple For A Brain” – C-
4. “House Sparrow” – C-
5. “Hyunhye’s Theme” – C
6. “Dear God, I Hate Myself” – D
7. “Secret Motel” – D+
8. “Falkland Rd” – D+
9. “The Fabrizio Palumbo Retaliation” – C-
10. “Cumberland Gap” – C-
11. “This Too Shall Pass Away” – C+
12. “Impossible Feeling” – C

Comments: Xiu Xiu! Hold on a second, buddy, what is there to get excited about? I hate to label this album, but it’s almost necessary. It’s like Xiu Xiu wants to be different, but still doesn’t want to freak out people too much so they resort to a minimum layer of catchiness that will satisfy the hoi polloi of eclectic listeners. Like “Chocolate Makes You Happy.” It’s a weird ass title, but you can tell that it’s so naive there has to be some fun about it. People actually listen to this AND enjoy it? That’s depressing. “Dear God, I Hate Myself.” Really? Really?!

Grade: C- (70)