The Thermals – Desperate Ground

Somehow, The Thermals have become one of the most beloved bands of the lo-fi garage-rock scene. Perhaps it’s because they’ve been doing it longer than most (in the generally still-young scene). Perhaps it’s their energetic live performances from singer/guitarist Hutch Harris & bassist Kathy Foster. Perhaps it’s just because their records all fit the same style that their rabid fans have come to expect, like on Desperate Ground – at the cost of growth or new interest.

Now, The Thermals aren’t extreme lo-fi or DIY doctrinaires; Desperate Ground has solid if uninspiring pop-punk songs with a decent lo-fi style.  And there are even some distinctly catchy pieces, such as opener “Born To Kill” or the penultimate “Where I Stand”.  But too many of the songs on the album, like The Thermals’ entire discography, are generic and forgettable.  Plus, a few that are memorable are more for the somewhat hard to take seriously lyrics (“The Sword By My Side” isn’t exactly The Apostle of Hustle’s “My Sword Hand’s Anger” – and it’s hard to believe the youthful-looking Harris when he sings about remembering all the people he’s killed in “Faces Stay With Me”).

But so be it.  At this point in the game, The Thermals have no need to change or evolve (though they do have a penchant for jumping from one famed indie imprint to another, from Seattle’s Sub Pop to Portland’s Kill Rock Stars to now Omaha’s Saddle Creek).  So if you like The Thermals, you’ll probably like Desperate Ground.  And if you’re not interested in The Thermals, you’ve got no reason to pick up Desperate Ground.