The Thermals Are Back: What To Expect From 'Under the Crushing Rain'
The Thermals Are Back: What To Expect From 'Under the Crushing Rain'
After a decade, The Thermals return with 'Under the Crushing Rain' on Sept 4. Hutch Harris crafted it solo, recapturing their raw sound with Kathy Foster's blessing. Get ready for a punchy comeback!
Okay, indie rock fans, buckle up! After a decade of silence, The Thermals are roaring back with their first album in ten years, 'Under the Crushing Rain', dropping September 4th via Hutch Harris' Static Catsup Aspic label. It's a return to form that's got us all buzzing.
Hutch Harris, the driving force behind The Thermals, has brought the project full circle, taking it back to its solo roots. He famously crafted this new record in his Brainwash studio “quickly, and by myself.” This DIY ethos isn't just a cost-saving measure; it's a deliberate callback to the “fast, cheap, and totally in control” spirit that defined their iconic 'More Parts Per Million' debut.
If you loved the raw energy of early Thermals, prepare for a potent dose of that unadulterated sound.
Now, I know what some of you are thinking: “What about Kathy Foster?” And Hutch Harris has that covered. He's made it clear, saying,
SHE'S RIGHT HERE, sitting next to me working hard on the layout for the LP, as I write this.
Not only did he have Kathy's blessing, but her active help in the album's production means this is truly a Thermals record, even with its solo creation. It's a testament to their enduring friendship and creative partnership.
Harris, who's been busy with solo albums and singles since the band's last outing, 'We Disappear' in 2016, admits he profoundly missed the band's unique vibe. He longed for “the noise, the nerves and the chaos that the band always embodied.
The exuberance, the raw power, and the punctuality!” It's this deep affection for The Thermals' identity that ultimately spurred this revival. “The bottom line is I love The Thermals, and I love making Thermals records,” he stated, and honestly, we can feel it already.
We’ve already been treated to a taste of this renewed spunk with the lead single, “Spirit Collectors.” It’s a punchy and crunchy number that immediately pulls you back into their world. Harris describes the 'Spirit Collectors' themselves as
evil fiends without arts of their own; lacking love and talent and with no drive to create life, their quest is only to steal from you everything for which you have worked so hard.
This thematic depth, combined with their signature energetic sound, hints at an album that's both introspective and fiercely defiant.
Pre-orders for 'Under the Crushing Rain' are already live on Bandcamp, so you can secure your copy and be ready for September 4th. It's a vital re-assertion of The Thermals' place in the indie rock landscape, proving that sometimes, going back to your roots is the best way forward. Get ready to have your eardrums crushed in the best possible way!
