Media

The Thermals: "Now We Can See" (MP3)

3:40 p.m. · February 10, 2009 · by Andrew Winistorfer

After the politcal The Body, The Blood, The Machine, the Thermals had painted themselves into a vitriolic punk corner, effectively mastering the agit-pop-punk they'd been travelling in since the jump. Now with their new album, Now We Can See, the band is moving on to less punky pastures, namely indelible three minute power pop jams like the album's title track.

"Now We Can See" starts with a "oh way, ohhh ohhh" vocal melody that repeats throughout the song's oscillating riff and bouncy drums. The song is still 100% Thermals (it'd be hard not to be, given Hutch Harris' distinctive vocal affectations), but it showcases the poppier and funner side of the band--a side they've kept buried underneath layers of political anger in the past.

Now We Can See is due out on Aprl 7 via Kill Rock Stars. [Stereogum]