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)