I was really surprised where they went. Instead of more energy, darkness and attack like what they built up for TBTBTM, apparently they chose this record to indulge their Hutch & Kathy boy-girl-harmonies-sing-songy tendencies. The songs are simpler and easier thematically and musically. And not as loud. That's what I've found with my first few listens. I'm pretty disappointed. It's not bad or wrong, it's just not what the next step should have been. Maybe it'll grow on meh

Oh my GOD do you people suck.

I don't have much to say.

It's not bad.. only the first couple tracks are bad. It just really makes me want to listen to The Body, The Blood, The Machine.

I'm not too thrilled by the new album, not enough good catchy melodies and since that's the main thing this band is based on I was a bit disappointed :/

So it was too melodic for one of you but not melodic enough for another...

I really, really like this album. Its not as politically or religiously charged as their past albums, but it still has great melodies and lyrics. And I still find it plenty loud and inspiring.

TBTBTM is one of my favorite albums and it may not quite be on that level, but its still one of my favorites this year.

Also, for what its worth it did take a listen or two through to grow on me.

quote:

Originally posted by ElliottSnitch:
I was really surprised where they went. Instead of more energy, darkness and attack like what they built up for TBTBTM, apparently they chose this record to indulge their Hutch & Kathy boy-girl-harmonies-sing-songy tendencies. The songs are simpler and easier thematically and musically. And not as loud. That's what I've found with my first few listens. I'm pretty disappointed. It's not bad or wrong, it's just not what the next step should have been. Maybe it'll grow on meh

I have to say, looking at the trajectory that they've been following since MPPM, this seems to be right on the curve I've been tracing in my head. They've gone from no-fi punks to lo-fi punks to mid-fi punks. I wouldn't say this is a step in the right direction per se, but I do think it makes sense. They sound softer, like they're losing their snarl, but I like what it's been replaced with. Bands get softer, that's something anyone whose followed any band for more than a few years can attest to. As Sick Boy said in Trainspotting, "All I'm trying to say, Mark, is that the Name of the Rose is a mere blip in an otherwise uninterrupted downward trajectory."

I'm a follower of the theory that a band has two, tops three albums to say what they really mean, and everything else is just good listening. Does it make it bad? No, absolutely not. Dylan got tired of making records that had half decent stuff/half pure shite and decided to release three truly spectacular albums. Am I going to tattoo "Don't the brakeman look good, mama, flagging down the "Double E" on my ass? No, but it's still one of my favorite songs of all time. I'm lost in my argument, fuck it, here's what I think of the album.

The whole album has enough raw hooks to make Perry Cuomo simultaneously weep and write another bullshit song like "Troublemaker". To me, it's like listening to TBTBTM without all the ham handed references to Bush, greed, and Jebus, the holy trifecta of evil things bands felt like bashing in 2006. It's catchy, I can listen to the whole thing through without changing a song; it's good unplugging music. I can bang my head, work on my novel, or get hammered and dance on tables to the previous three albums, and this one is no different. One thing that doesn't get enough credit with bands is sustainability, or keeping things interesting without going on lunatic tangents (see transition from Clap Your Hands Say Yeah's self-titled debut to Some Loud Thunder). It's always comforting to hear a band keep doing what they do best and not trying to be something they're not. Some may say thats conformist or middle aged thinking, and I may say fuck you to that. There's a difference between doing what's good and adding to it each time and doing the same shit over and over again. That's why I listen to the Thermals and not the goddamn Carpenters. Radiohead not Stereolab. Spoon not Weezer. There's a fine line that a band needs to walk to retain their old fans and acquire new ones without pissing off either party, and I feel like the Thermals are continuing to do that. I'm happy with the record and I can't wait for the next one to come out.

*drops the mic*

Peace bitches.

The music so far isn't as bracing as the anticipation was. It's funny, because everybody is describing the album in terms that would make it seem like just what I was hoping for, if I hadn't heard it already.

It's ok. The album isn't as good as TBTBTM, but it isn't bad either. The problem is, when I listen to it, it makes me want to listen to TBTBTM.

I guess no one's that excited, but I adore this album. It's my favorite by The Thermals. It's the first album since The National's Boxer that just makes me want to listen to it over and over again.

I bought it Tuesday and every track has already been played over thirty times on my iTunes, which is a ton for me. I could go on about why I love it so, but I'll just say this for now.

quote:

Originally posted by bonzob:
I bought it Tuesday and every track has already been played over thirty times on my iTunes

That's crazy. Although leaving it on repeat when you're away from your computer could do that. I don't know if I believe you listening to it 7-8 times a day for 4 days straight. I've never listened to anything that much.

Well it's only 30 minutes long, keep in mind. It's not like listening to Illinois 7-8 times a day. But yeah. I've been home writing all week and I just leave it on repeat while I work, and I'm only now starting to get to the point where I skip some tracks. The Thermals are like crack.

I'm keeping the faith still. They've had some amazing growers in the past

This is a good album, just clearly not as good as their last one. There's nothing on it in the same league as "Here's your Future", "An Ear For Baby", "Pillar of Salt", or "St. Rosa and the Swallows." Still, they're decent songs. I put on TBTBTM after listening to the new one a few times and was surprised by how much more aggressive and loud the former album is.

This album is my introduction to the band, and I'm lovin' the hell out of it so far.

Since most people seem to be disappointed with this set, I'm anxious about what my reaction will be once I get around to going through their back catalogue. Will I love The Body, The Blood, The Machine even more or be disappointed?

Should be interesting . . .

quote:

Originally posted by Odin_A:
This album is my introduction to the band, and I'm lovin' the hell out of it so far.

Since most people seem to be disappointed with this set, I'm anxious about what my reaction will be once I get around to going through their back catalogue. Will I love The Body, The Blood, The Machine even more or be disappointed?

Should be interesting . . .

The Body, The Blood, The Machine and Fuckin' A are both superior.

Agreed.

I love all their albums, but I like this one the best, as you can see from my effusive posts above. If you like lo-fi and straight up punk, you might like their earlier stuff better. If you like pop-punk and 90s indie, you will probably like this more.

The Body The Blood The Machine was hurt by having three long, slow-paced tracks at the end. This one is their best sequenced and has the least filler (really, no filler) of any of their albums. The tempos are slower and the mix is much cleaner, with more emphasis on Hutch Harris' vocals, but honestly, his vocals (and lyrics) are what makes the band great, so no problem there.

Also, "At The Bottom Of The Sea," is a better ballad than "Test Pattern," "When We Were Alive," is just as raucous as "A Pillar Of Salt" but more concise, and "When I Died" is as good an opener as "Here's Your Future."

And I haven't even mentioned by two favorite songs, the uber catchy title track and the epic "How We Fade."

At this point it's my favorite album of 09. Call me crazy, Metacritic-ers.

Well, I just picked up TBTBTM today but haven't spent any time with it yet. Lookin' forward to giving it some spins.

I doubt my opinion will be too well formed until after the weekend though, when I've had a chance to hear it from a bit of a different, shall we say, perspective.

For what's it worth, I don't think there's a weak track on NWCS, but if I have a least favorite, it's probably "At the Bottom of the Sea"

"When I Was Afraid" comes to mind as a favorite.

quote:

Originally posted by Odin_A:

"When I Was Afraid" comes to mind as a favorite.

I agree that's probably the best track on the album. Although, I like "At the Bottom of the Sea" too.

For me, this album is definetely gonna have to grow on me. I did notice that it doesn't rock nearly as hard as TBTBTM or Fuckin' A, but it's not a complete turn off to me. The melodies for several of the tracks on this new one are sticking in my head, and when I find the time I want to delve deeper into Now We Can See. I do miss the more politically and religiously charged lyrics. They were really on to something with that. But, it is very hard for them to release any bad material, and I'm pretty satisfied with Now We Can See.