The Thermals - Desperate Ground

The Thermals, more precisely their vocalist Hutch Harris, have never been anything short of outspoken. Across their last five albums, the Portland trio have expressed anger over religion in America, (‘The Blood, The Body And The Machine’), American politics (‘Personal Life’) and humanity’s treatment (‘Now We Can See’).

These polemics still run heavily on the band’s sixth album ‘Desperate Ground’. Produced by John Agnello (Dinosaur Jr, Sonic Youth), the record returns to the rambunctious sound of their earlier days. It deals with human violence, and ten three-minute bursts of aggression each tell the tale of a violent lone rogue.

Opening track ‘Born To Kill’, for example, is classic Thermals: a collection of hyperactive driving guitars burst forth like Harris’ cynical lyrics. He questions the bloodthirsty attitude of a soldier “made to slay, unafraid to spill’ on command. Further on, ‘I Go Alone’ depicts a soldier’s dedication to his end, and elsewhere, ‘The Sword By My Side’ details the soldier’s eagerness to arm himself for combat.

Harris’ portrayals are engaging and vivid: these are men willing to fight in bloody battles and die for those they serve, and such vibrant narratives are sorely needed as ‘Desperate Ground’ lacks dynamic and variation elsewhere. Newer fans might not be totally impressed here but existing ones yearning for Harris’ observations should be satisfied otherwise.