The Thrills - Teenager Released July 23^rd

The Dublin five piece made they’re mark in 2003 with the release of the debut album “So Much For The City” and haven’t produced anything as refreshing since. “Lets Bottle Bohemia” in 2004 was weak in comparison, but choosing to move away from the sun kissed streets of LA where the two previous records were put together their new record has been made in “the worst neighbourhood in all of Canada”.

Not for a second would you expect any sort of Radiohead “Kid A” style change in direction for The Thrills regardless of where they record their album, and I don’t think the latest offering from the sunny sounding Dubliners will win them any more followers if I’m honest. Conor Deasy’s broken tones will either make it or break it for many people and although the album starts well it seems to drop off a little toward the end. Musically the album follows suit with the other two but it’s the lyrical content on this record that seems to be the difference. Although this record sounds like a day in the sun with a panda pop by the time your cherry moustache has faded the lyrics will be there to help you down off your sugar rush.

Album’s opener “The Midnight Choir” followed by “This Year” definitely fill the record with hope, but unfortunately it does only that. If you’re looking for a record for all the family this is the one for you but if its music with a little more oomph you won’t be getting your thrills from Dublin this year. 

by Neil