The Thrills - So Much For The City

Since it is the new year and most magazines create what’s “in” and what’s “out” lists, I will add my two cents. IN: Lead singers sounding like Wayne Coyne OUT: Lead singers sounding like Lou Reed. Because sound is a classification device, The Thrills have an identity. Unfortunately, it’s not a terribly exciting one. Yes, the comparisons are all true. The Thrills sound like The Beach Boys, Ben Folds, and Grandaddy, thus qualifying for the “in” category. But comparisons are easy. Making a truly unique album that salutes your forefathers is not. Just ask The Thrills. So Much for the City attempts to mask The Thrills simple and highly repetitive lyrics behind 11 tracks of overlapping “ooh’s” and “ahh’s.” Apparently, The Thrills spent time soaking up the San Diego sun before recording this album. Each song is so light-hearted and translucent one would think this Irish band never saw the ocean before coming to America. However, Ireland is an island, and Dublin is on the coast. However, let’s give The Thrills the benefit of the doubt. It doesn’t rain as much in San Diego as it does in Dublin, so The Thrills have something celebrate. “Don’t Steal Our Sun” may just be their mantra. “Deckchairs & Cigarettes,” “Hollywood Kids,” and “Your Love is Like Las Vegas” metaphorically detail their American adventures. While their lyrics are spotty, and their (enter your favorite comparison here) sound is repetitious, the intentions of The Thrills are clear. They make San Diego sound like a happy-go-lucky, take off your shoes and catch a wave or an afternoon cocktail town. When slaving for the man has got me down, this might just be the album I want to hear. The sounds of The Thrills are perfect sound bytes for commercials sponsored by the San Diego Board of Tourism. [www.thethrills.com]