So Much For The City

don't like this guys voice. so-so songs though

Do not like. Hipster pop.

I hate his voice. I remember Big Sur being flogged on 3J in 2002/3.

This is bland.

Langweilig.

Indie folk pop from Ireland. fairly inoffensive. would not return

This kind of music I guess isn't just my thing, I did like the first song (\"Santa Cruz\") but then I lost interest. On a positive note, completely new discovery for me

Favoritlåt: Hollywood Kids

I can not imagine telling a friend they have to listen to this record. It does nothing of note. And the vocals are awful. It gets a 2 because it didn't make me turn it off.

Not much depth or variance, a real malaise. Why did I have to listen?

Kind of bland but not terrible. At times sounds like The Flaming Lips at home. Not sure "Thrills" is the right name for this group lol

Pretty bland.

Just not much here…not that the songs are bad but nothing that stood out to me as something that is a must listen before I die.

2003 Genre: Indie rock, post-punk revival First Listen Best Tracks: Santa Cruz, Big Sur, Don't Steal Our Sun, Deckchairs and Cigarettes, Old Friends New Lovers, Hollywood Kids, First impression: It is very likable and easy to enjoy. 3.5

santa cruz, don't steal our sun

Composed very well but shitty song writing.

Good background music but there is nothing special to be found here

Hard to categorize but I liked it. More chill than expected

Pleasant, easygoing vibe, full of poppy hooks and bittersweet melodies. Enjoyed it and will probably listen again, but I'm unconvinced this belongs on the list. Fave Songs: Don't Steal Our Sun; Big Sur; Just Travelling Through; Til the Tide Creeps In/Plans; Santa Cruz (You're Not That Far); Old Friends, New Lovers

Another Beach Boys wannabes

Noise indie folk. Qué bonito sonido.

Okay, so this album was chill, it's a nice little background jam but nothing too exciting happens in there, it's as if they're singing just for the sake of singing haha

3.3 - Likable but inconsequential jangle-rock in the vein of the Shins or Kurt Vile, but lighter. My gripe is that these Irish lads want to desperately convince you that they're American with their copious references to California geography (Big Sur, San Diego, Santa Cruz, Hollywood) and their American accents, terribly faked. The phoniness would be grating but, really, these guys seem pretty harmless.

Nah. I heard this one at the time it was new and a bit hyped but I found it dull and cheesy. Time has done nothing for it. No idea how it has made the list. Is he trying to sound American? It’s just not good and it was also too long, I could not wait for it to end.

You can tell this was influenced by Elliott Smith, specifically Figure 8. The standout track to me, Don’t Steal Our Sun, would be right at home on that album.

Okay album, some crossing of US Country & Western and Irish folk. But nothing special I think, nice to play while working.

Too light and poppy. Marshmallows and lollipops. Had to stop

Wish I had known about this band when they hit the scene. Got a So. Cal 70’s sound…Pete Best referenced in the lyrics! Most of the songs gave me a…thrill.

Grandaddy mixed with The Beach Boys. Not nearly as interesting to me though. This was a hard one to get through for some reason. It’s like cheap indie psych rock. Looked up a live performance and was even more disappointed. Eh it’s okay

Indie pop rock with a misleading name. I knew from the first song that this wouldn't be for me.

Good songs. First 2 are the standouts. The rest are kind of the same bluesy longing with banjos and saloon pianos and slide guitars. Pleasant to listen too.

It was like nails on a chalkboard.

Santa Cruz (You're Not That Far) 3.9 Big Sur 3 Don't Steal Our Sun 3.3 Deckchairs and Cigarettes 3.4 One Horse Town 3.6 Old Friends, New Lovers 3 Say It Ain't So 3 Hollywood Kids 3 Just Traveling Through 3 Your Love Is Like Las Vegas 3 Til the Tide Creeps In / Plans 3 3.2

Interesting Soundscape

I will continue to profess my love of aughts-era indie rock! This is fantastic. I can't believe I've never listened to them before. The vocalist really reminds me of Jason Lytle who I love. These songs are just super upbeat and infectiously catchy.

Nett, 60er Jahre kalifornischer Gitarrenpop aus Irland, ob es unter die Top 1000 gehört, nee, gewiss nicht.

It’s fine Santa Cruz and big sur are great songs But it’s far too slight to really warrant a place on this list

Wonderful slice of 00s pop

Of all the things on George Bush's iPod, I am informed this is one of them.

Ok

I really enjoyed this album. Sounds straight out of the 60s pop rock scene, hints of Beach Boys, Weezer, and the Flaming Lips with some folk country tones as well. Unique lead vocal. Really enjoyed this album.

Irish country rock. Pretty good.

Muy bueno! Por la tapa esperaba mucho menos; pero fue un muy lindo viaje y el último tema me copó.

Sweet ost for someone in his 30s, seeing the middle of the road right ahead

California themed folk pop

Very nostalgic. Reminded me of The OC.

This is a quite difficult one to rate. It’s certainly not an essential album. It doesn’t have a notable legacy or influence, it’s quite derivative of a few other alt-rock/indie bands of the 90s and early 00s, and the singer’s faux-American drawl is quite off-putting in places. That being said… I enjoyed it quite a lot. The opening track was so repetitive and felt like it would never end, but after that there were a lot of fantastic songs with some lovely chord progressions and textures and just a real sense of warmth. Do you need to listen to it before you die? Absolutely not. Is it a pretty great record despite that? Yeah, sure

Weak and annoying lead singer voice, decent melodies

Folk rock. Not quite my style. Boring.

A lovely listen, not transcendent to my ears - but a solid 7/10. Some fun tracks. Once again - feels like an inclusion localized to the whims and age of its selector.

In this list there are som amazing inderstandebal album and also som horrible but significant. But what i find most in this list are albums like these... not great, not really bad. Bland and sometimes boring. This is another one of those album and im only halfway through... so i guess here is another 2/5

Top heavy album

It was pretty lovely and soothing

It was alright, nothing special. Wasn’t huge on the vocals but some of the instrumentals were good, although I didn’t like the more twangy songs that much.

Not really my style, just finished the album and already forgot about most of it.

Meh this was fine

Indie rock. Lento. Rollo. Un 2.

nice

Santa Cruz and Big Sur are solid. I like the sort of California Folk, less depressed Elliot Smith vibe, but it's not on every song

Okay album. The 2000-2005 identity that popular music had was confusing

Booooring

If you call this Sunny you’ve never been to California. Subjectivity of seeing the West Coast and then writing about in during cold Northern Irish winters. Like Ben Folds meets Death Cab with a juvenile SoCal twist.

It seemed like this should have been a solid alternative album, but the vocals were kind of whiny and breathy, which got a little annoying. Overall the whole thing just sounded kind of hollow

I should like this — it hits some of those Neil Young / Built to Spill vibes that I go for — but it didn't quite click. I should listen again, but for now it's just a sort of generic 3.

Cool album, very happy-go-lucky music.

2.5

Completely forgot about this album till it popped up today, enjoyed listening back as it was a favourite of mine back in 2003. Was good to hear it back and probably a little bias in my view it should be on the list, but won’t make my frequent rotation again.

The first three songs had me disappointed but then idk something clicked and I started liking this. Still, I'd prefer a less ancient sound

the calm songs towards the end were more enjoyable than the rest

Say It Ain’t So and Santa Cruz.

Here are two things I appreciate about South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem. 1. She is very good looking. I don't live in South Dakota but I can appreciate this from far away. 2. Kristi has a commanding presence in interviews. She won't let you push her around. My reference point for this opinion is a time I saw her on Face the Nation with Margeret Brennan. I also appreciate Margeret Brennan. So much for the city didn't give me as many thrills as watching a Kristi Noem interview.

I like his voice, Santa Cruz is a great song. 3.5

Pretty uneventful, nothing hooked me at all.

I never heard of this group so it was a pleasant surprise. It was super interesting to see an Irish band producing such a new wave surfer/beach sound. I would listen again and search out their music more.

I enjoyed it

What a great album. Never heard of this group before but I’m glad I have now.

Okay, aber catch nicht

I didn’t think I knew the bad but I’d actually heard a number of the songs. It was an enjoyable listen and is very close to getting a 4.

How did I never hear this record? Oh, right, I went to college in Nowheresville, Iowa. I almost didn’t believe these guys are from Dublin. They sound like a bunch of crunchy, wake-and-bake surf rats from Carlsbad. Whatever. This album is great.

the entire album is about their trip to california

Landfill indie, but fun and Irish. An album with many memories for me, including nearly seeing them live in Glasgow. Still not great, but they can have three stars and thank me for them!

This just isn't for me...

Funny enough, this band is called The Thrills which is kinda opposite of the mood this singer brings. The music is not bad. The melodies are interesting, instrumentation and recording is great. Just a little too mellow & dreamy for me.

This album is some lovely sunny 00’s California pop. I’ve never heard of The Thrills. The sometimes fun, sometimes chill vibe has me craving a beach, a sunset, a cooler full of seltzers, vegan volcano nachos and good friends. Nowhere else to go, nothing else to do.

This album immediately made me feel happy when it started. Despite never hearing of the band or album, it kind of felt like comfort food. Definitely recognize that early 2000s indie vibe but with its own unique instrument blend that give it a bluegrass charm. Love the banjo and harmonica. His vocals aren’t my favorite and leave me wanting a little more passion/variation as the album progresses, but really enjoyed this overall.

Studio mixing and overall sound is thin. Repetitive. What exactly is so great about this group? They sound like a throwback to traveling groups of the 70s. The music is basic, no particular instruments (including the lead singer's voice) stand out as talented or musically beautiful. Best song is \"One Horse Town\" because it has a sweet melody and easy harmonies. They grew on me over time, but still... not my style.

Pretty twee indie rock with a twang to it that feels like the soundtrack to any number of 2000s indie hipster movies. It's got a very relaxed tone at times but can also have some solid indie pop hooks too, I enjoyed this somewhat, wasn't bad at all and I rate it

why is this album on here. i guess i dont like this genre at all

Everyone knows that an American who appropriates Japanese culture is called a weeaboo. Most people are also familiar with the term for Americans that ridiculously mimic a stereotype of Irish culture: Bostonians. But do you know what you call Irish people who cosplay as 1960’s Californians? The Thrills. I like this album. I heard “Big Sur” on The OC soundtrack, read the review on Pitchfork, torrented the album and then burned it onto a CD to listen to in my Saturn with an “F: The President” sticker on the back. Could that sentence BE more early 2000’s? Despite my fondness for this album, I’m not sure it is one of the 1001 albums to hear before you die. It seems a little too slight and unimportant to warrant that. But, I liked it in 2003 and enjoyed listening to it again today, so who’s to say?

Sounds like Dinosaur Jr.

It's pleasant enough. Weird to have a band from Dublin croon about Santa Cruz and LA but fair enough. I can see why George W Bush had a track on his iPod -- jangly guitars and so on.

Kinda fun...

This is really awful. When I thought a generic folk/indie was terrible enough, they started with some unexpressive and generic country influence. To put the last nail in their coffin, Wikipedia says that Bush was a fan. That was all I needed to rate it with 1 star.

I didn't mind this. Musically it was pretty good but his vocals are really bad. After a couple of listens each song became pretty indistinguishable from the next. Couldn't pick a favourite song, whichever has the least amount of lyrics.

This really isn't very good at all. Meek vocals, poor composition, tacky title tracks. Big no from me.

So much for the thrills ...

So Much For This Shit.

1001 Albums To Make You Pray For The Sweet Release Of Death

Why exactly is this on this list. Boring and unremarkable

Why is this on the list? I feel like there are so many influential albums that could be included instead of this.

These guys sound like The Beach Boys meets The Flaming Lips, Sloan, or Oasis. Solid indie rock with banjo and mandolin. Favourite songs: One Horse Town, Big Sur, Don't Steal Our Sun, Santa Cruz (You're Not That Far), Your Love Is Like Las Vegas, "Old Friends, New Lovers", 'Til The Tide Creeps In, Just Travelling Through Least favourite songs: Hollywood Kids, Plans 4/5

I really hated this wave of indie music from the mid 2000s. Just nothing music, boring AF

This was lacking some of the thrills for me was just kinda in the background.

I liked most of this. Kind of chill indie vibes. Not sure I'll return to it, but we'll see. 3/5

It’s 2006, I’m driving HGVs around the Cotswolds in the sunshine. Life’s good, money flowing, living for the weekend, travelling all over the places. This albums becoming an anthem of the summer. Zero pressure, everything positive. Roll on to now, it’s 2024, I’m married with 2 kids. Self employed scraping together every penny I possibly can. Just attempting to survive each day as it comes. Constantly questioning whether I’m doing the right thing. Second guessing everything. And this album is irritating and just a load of nothingness. The real circle of life! 2.5

Average indie rock album been plenty before and plenty after. Won't be on many people's list as while an enjoy listen you forget about it immediately after the last track

This brings me back. I was introduced to The Thrills by an English woman I met when we both started school in Santa Cruz. It's not that far.

An interesting album here. Hard to say if it’s good or not. The singer has a unique voice that reminds me of some modern alternative bands that I like but yet it doesn’t match the style of music with the instrumentals. The band itself is also interesting as they’re Irish but most of their songs are about California. Not really sure what to make of it. It was alright but just didn’t seem to mold together well. 5.4/10

So much sunshine packed in here that it's hard not to love, even if it's not the most diverse or groundbreaking thing. By the end the sunshine even feels like a sunset!

Just fine soft boy music.

Wouldn't have pegged them for Irish. The Laurel Hill sound (CSNY, i.e.) is an obvious influence. The vocals even remind me of Neil Young, when he's hitting his higher register. It's pleasant enough when it's on, just nothing earth-shattering. Nicely produced, though. Favorite tracks: "Big Sur", "Hollywood Kids"

Yeah, no. That was some shit slow, depressing album. Glad it's done.

This album has an easy going nice vibe to it, but it isn’t particularly exciting. Neither is it instrumentally that impressive. I have no big qualms with it, but they do all blend together. It’s a whatever album. 3/5

oh hunny 5 stars. psychedelic fan’s dream. sounds like how swimming in the ocean where your feet can’t touch the bottom feels

This album was pleasant enough, but didn’t feel terribly groundbreaking in any way. It was fairly basic early 2000s indie rock that went though a lot of effort to sound as American as possible. It succeeded well enough and I appreciated their obvious knowledge of music especially from the 60s. The Beach Boys influence was especially apparent.

Strong 4 at least

Listened Before? No Vocals on Big Sur makes me think a lot of Flaming Lips. Not a bad comparison per se, but kind of a boring song imo. Deckchairs and Cigarettes is nice and spread out. Makes for a nice languid listen. As this album went on, I found myself getting less and less interested. Sure, the vocalist sounds a lot like the guy from Flaming Lips, but he never showed any real range and the instrumentals rarely engaged me. This is a middle of the pack album that doesn't do much for me. 2 / 5. Added to Library? No.

Middle of the road indie album. Not super inventive. I enjoyed One Horse Town for the bells/xylophone and Big Sur for their synth. The harmonica in the last song was a nice way to end. This one started to drift into 3.5 star territory, but I really don't feel like it was exciting enough to warrant a 4.

Pretty good instrumentals but really boring singer. The songs kind of all sounded similar with the folky-ness but it was a good easy listen.

Would've guessed some of these songs could be the Flaming Lips. The lead singer sounds weirdly similar to Wayne Coyne. There were some solid songs on here and can see myself coming back.

It's quite nice, but it's a bit indie-wank. It's the kind of music Zach Braff would put in one of his movies. All very floaty and quirky and inoffensive with breathy vocals on top. Crafted well enough but not exciting in the least. 2.5 rounded up.

I really liked this. Reminds me a bit of the Eels, maybe a bit of the Flaming Lips too. Will listen again. 4 stars.

This was pretty disappointing. Nothing about this record feels authentic. Maybe I’m projecting, but an Irish band affecting a Southern US accent and wistful recollections of travelling there comes across as try hard. The music is fine, but not exceptional. The presentation continually pushed me away. No individual song was a standout. I’ll never listen to any of this again. 1.5/5

I knew quite a bit of this without realising. Didn't mind it.

A pleasant listen. Some decent songs. Very nice. One Horse Town, Big Sur, Santa Cruz are nice enough songs. Decent radio fodder for a drive.

One of these albums that make a background listen in the positive sense. It has enough character to liste closely but till then it gives you a sort of peace.

Santa Cruz is a great song. Reminds me of my college days - I learned it from my shuttle bus driver - who would blast this song everyday in 2003. The rest of the album is mediocre indie pop rock. Honestly, this made me nervous that many of my favorite 21st century albums will not be on this list. - which i guess is ok - since this is about learning new things.

Not bad. Very early aughts.

tää on kyl hyvä, varsinkin santa cruz.

meh. it's been real feast or famine on these album choices lately. not sure if this one survived more than one edition of the book but it's not interesting. just more nice enough indie music that doesn't really say anything (unless it's about california) and these guys are irish?? the lead singer sounds like the guy from drive-by truckers. what on earth. no more of this please favorites: santa cruz, big sur

Уф бля, как же я заебался это слушать, пойду лучше Merzbow включу 6/10

Plinkety plonkety twangy niceness

I was in a really bad mood while I was listening to this today and it only made my mood worse when I realized that I would actually really be enjoying this if I was happy. It's a fun 45 minutes of early 2000s indie pop and the lead vocalist sounded a lot like the lead for the flaming lips. Even though I was upset, I really liked santa cruz and don't steal our sun.

If the feeling of "sitting on a porch on a crisp summer afternoon" was condensed to an album, this project wouldn't be too far off from it

Yea really nice actually

Average music, bad vocals.

Very sunny, obviously Californian themed. Reminds me 9f The Magic Numbers. I like it and had forgotten just how catchy are the two big singles. Not included in my 2018 edition, but time has allowed the compilers a review.

Sounds like UK indie mixed with some of Matthew Sweet’s cute popness. I’m not big of either of those but I’m surprisingly above 2.

So interesting that Wiki listed under "Legacy" the fact that one of the songs from this album "appeared" on George W Bush 's iPod! They had to dig deep for that one. Other than that, I, like the critics and fans it seems, found this album fairly unremarkable. The singer has a sweet voice - he sounds a bit like the Flaming Lips guy - and the first few songs are okay. They throw a lot of different feels at you, some strings, some slide guitars, but eventually they have to adjust to accommodate the frail vocalist.

I'm a massive fan of Indie music so I was looking forward to this, but gosh darnit, if this wasn't lame as heck. So frigging twee and the lead vocalist's voice was so annoying. I do believe this is the first Indie record that I couldn't finish listening to. Oh, and the name of the band is completely misleading also.

Always loved Big Sur but never listened to the album. This is Sue Perb stuff.

These guys heard the zombies and thought 'what if we do that but with less originality and slightly more annoying accents?'

Ok, dit is best wel fijn. Het eerste nummer Santa Cruz(You're not that far) is super vrolijk, de mondharmonica en de banjo draagt daar ook zeker aan bij! Lekker man! Het hele album voelt vrij vrolijk en luistert gewoon heel erg makkelijk weg. Als iemand mij ooit vraagt naar een album wat gewoon makkelijk wegluistert en verder niet heel veel bijzonders doet, dan raad ik zonder enige twijfel dit album aan. Is het een heel bijzonder album> nee vind ik niet, maar dat hoeft ook niet altijd. Soms is prima genoeg. FAVO: Santa Cruz, Say it Ain't So, your love is like las vegas

So mundane. If you like this, I can understand why but there's absolutely no reason to heap praise on this as an essential album. It's just for fans of 2000's indie and nothing more than that.

The songs are kind of catchy and quaint but I was extremely sick of the lead singer's voice a few tracks in, which made it painful to finish the album. I think I could stand a song or two of this at a time, not the whole album.

I am generally suspicious of most indie Americana, particularly so when it happens to come from Ireland. I mean, I have to give it to him, he nailed the breathy/whiny American indie rocker accent, even adding an affected rootsy twang... but why? Why construct an entirely forced vocal persona to hide behind? This is some kinda weird fantasy role-playing shit, and I don't like it. It's off-putting. Just look at them on the cover. Doesn't exactly scream authenticity. They look jaded, bored, and overdressed. At least they are competent at aping the far-from-unique sound they seek to emulate, but this sucks.

Weird indie-beach-boys-roleplay of sorts. It sounds competent but it gets to be a bit much over time. I can see how the main voice could get annoying after a while but it doesn't bother me too much... except that the general vibe is a bit much for me, so yeah.

They're a good band, but a bit on the mellow side for me.

Sweet if a little functional cheery indie pop and I was surprised to see they’re from Ireland and not the US although I guess the attraction of US cities is great the further away you are.

Not bad

The instrumentation is interesting. The singing voice is like nails on a chalkboard. Ditto for most Indie albums. No real standout tracks here to pick a favorite.

Good bit of fun. Nothing spectacular.

2.7 Irish India 00s rock

It’s an off-putting blend of the Doobie Brothers, Arcade Fire, and “Exile…” era Rolling Stones. The result is a languid indie-folk/country pop record. Really not into it at all.

Loved this. One horse town is great. Disappointed for them that they couldn't sustain their success.

his voice is annoying. 2 songs in and his voice is still annoying. and it's musically quite boring. not very many interesting things going on. 4th song and it just doesn't end. praying for this to finish as soon as possible. just listen to steely dan. his voice is so whiny! did NOT enjoy.

It was fine.

Album générique de Rock|pop anglais. Je crois bien mais ca ma pas déboussolé mais c'est pas mauvais. 3.10

It was ok...not my favorite

It was pleasant. A little pop mixed with a little rock reminiscent of the late 90s/early 2000s. Not sure if I would put this in the 1001 best albums but like I said...it was pleasant.

It's not a bad listen. But it's also not that memorable. They sound like a watered-down, hokey version of Arcade Fire. "Santa Cruz" and "Big Sur" were the best of the bunch. I just couldn't get past the singer sounding like a baritone version of Elmo from Sesame Street. If you listen to the first 15 seconds of any song, then you have heard the entire song.

Ok it's not bad but there are tens of thousands of albums like this It could come from a band in my village, but not from a book listing the 1001 best albums.

Quite okay album, nothing too special, few country-like, pop, soft rock songs that sound like one-summer hits from years before. And like those hits, I will probably never hear of them again in the future.

Kind of a really really bad ccr

Sleepy rock. At times I got an alt-country vibe that I appreciated. I liked the first half more than the second. The lead singer’s voice started to bug me.

Twee.

Boring and generic.

Never finds it own sound outside of the frontman’s whining - there are some promising glimpses here and there, a track that evokes Elliot Smith or shows some Dinosaur Jr. influences, but nothing that coalesces over a very generous runtime. And yeah the vocals are just bad sorry

i bet i've seen these play at some festival somewhere. to give them their dues the singles are all pretty decent and i appreciate them putting all the big hitters on early so i can fuck off the rest of it when it when they ran out of ideas.

Hahaha summer 2003 nostalgia

Sounds very Alt not my style

It strikes me that because they are Irish and depressed, they tried to escape that image by calling themselves The Thrills and embracing a West Coast ocean dreamy vibe. This is consistent and accomplished and there is not one weak song here. I think the sad thing is they never managed to escape this particular box and disbanded before they evolved too far away from this style. Which is actually fine for me because this album was highly enjoyable. The harmonies and melodies were reminiscent of the Beach Boys and the beachy vibe was better than Jack Jones. And the strings were lush. I remember liking The Thrills 20 years ago and the songs still hold up.

The Thrills were one of a bunch of Irish/English bands that were popular in the early 2000s. Snow Patrol, Death Cab, Travis, the Postal Service, etc. were all the same band to me. One that I liked, and still like, very much. This album doesn’t break any new ground, but is very well done. The songs have enough differences to make the record interesting.

I struggled with the rating on this one, partly because I couldn't get out of the "I need to rate this" headspace as I was listening. I liked it. It was meticulously crafted. It wasn't exactly predictable, but it also felt really safe, like they took no chances. I kept feeling like this was a combination of Wilco and Flaming Lips with all the grease and grime rubbed off and polished up real nice. Everything was inside the lines, which I was conscious of as I was listening. And honestly, while this might warrant a 4-star rating, I couldn't quell the nagging voice asking — "I must listen to this? Why, exactly?" It's good, but ... safe. And at the end of the day, the lyrics never quite tickled my g-spot. I guess these guys had fun in California, but that's the determiner as I write. Flirted with a 4, but its getting the 3. A really solid 3. Like more than a 3. But a 3.

This was pleasant enough, though I wasn't crazy about the guy's voice. Not sure that "pleasant enough" warrants inclusion on this list, but whatevs.

Was completely unfamiliar with this band but the sound is so familiar. I'm hearing Wilco for sure but also something else I can't quite capture. Maybe Wayne Coyneish? The sounds were pleasant enough but I can't say it struck me hard enough to revisit.

I was halfway through the album when I realized I wasn't listening to one long song. This is completely forgettable.

I liked this! I liked this more the first time I listened to it, the second time I discovered it was a little bit repetitive

Achei fraquíssimo e repetitivo

O banjo foi muito inesperado. Parece um negócio da roça mas ao mesmo tempo é bom. Só que bem enjoativo

Talk about music of place, and the soft spot of that for California. It's a cute project, well-produced, but the tunes themselves have little particularity to them.

Peppy! I feel like I have listened to the group before.

Pop rock indie

I found this quite tedious quite quickly. I was quite surprised to learn they were from Ireland. Has real US early 2000s indie vibes, with more than a whiff of The Magic Numbers. The idea behind it - to cheer themselves up - also seems rather self-indulgent. What about cheering anyone else up? This did not make me feel better about anything, except when I finally turned it off. That this was even on the same shortlist as Boy In Da Corner makes me want to weep. Blander than the blandest thing in Blandland. A highly-inappropriately named band if ever there was one. Although who am I to question the musical taste of US President George W. Bush?

A five star album before I listened to this with a fresh pair of ears. I pretty much lived this album when it was first released. I rinsed it continuously for around six months. Some albums have that impact on you. I'm not sure why I was drawn to it at the time. It stood apart from the drum 'n' bass that was also taking over my life. I haven't played it for a few years, up until this morning. It still has that spark for me. The optimism, the musicianship, the songs. Plus it sounds like a session, rather than a polished, studio crafted album. It's the pure joy that it offers that still gives me a buzz. Outstanding.

This was good but indistinguishable from any other indie rock sound from the early 00's.

3.4

pass

AI - please generate me some early 2000s indie inspired by alt-country / folk stylings and make the band from Ireland but don’t let that impact the sound or songwriting at all

What if The Flaming Lips never, ever, ever did drugs even one time and frankly is offended that you even asked about it?

very pleasant listen

I would have liked this record In 2013, but it came out 10 years too early and I'm listening 10 years too late

Pretty good

Very enjoyable jangly pop. I hadn't even heard about this band before it popped up on my list. I guess it came out during the time I was dealing with little kids and didn't have the time and energy to notice new music. But definitely reminiscent of psychedelic-inspired rock/pop.

Całkiem fajne, trochę the kooks, wokal jak Ryan Ross z patd Nie wiem co to robi na liście płyt które trzeba przesłuchać. Zespół z Irlandii który wydał 3 płyty a ta była wysoko na listach w Irlandii i uk Ulubiona piosenka Say it aint soi W ostatniej piosence jest hidden track ❤️

Very good clean fun. Their freshening up of a certain timeless sort of West Coast vibe holds up so much better than so many more "original" records of the same era (looking at you Strokes, YYYs, DCFC!). They pull it off with aplomb – and a great deal of fun by fully embracing the playfulness of the homage (note the "end it" yelp at the end of the most excellent opener). They seem very much in on the joke and go over the top with a winning wink. Strings, glockenspiel (one thinks), Plus the cover suggests a relatable crew one would enjoy having a pint with. Not even having a cut on W's iPod takes away the charm.

I liked this pretty well, though it seemed to lose its national character early in and trend more generic alt pop of its era. I remember hearing that One Horse Town song a bunch at some point, maybe it became a darling of the local public alternative music station.

Completely forgettable

Essence of rainy Sunday afternoons

And this album is special because of ____?

It was okay

M’a semblé un peu monotone et très sage. Beau travail d’harmonie

would give some songs a relisten

Soort van afkooksel van Flaming Lips, maar minder goed. Niet echt overtuigd van dit album

Indie/pop -- super solid musically, but needs a new singer. Breathy, precious, and shit...probably great for 2003. Want to listen more but this singer. 3.0

Wilco-wannabe dreck. Next!!

Good

I've never heard of The Thrills before, so I wasn't sure what to expect with this album. The first few tracks were somewhat enjoyable, but after "Say It Ain't So," the album fell off a pretty sharp cliff. The banjo playing was a nice and unique touch, which is difficult to admit in a post-Mumford era. I enjoyed some of the vocals as well, and there were a few nice harmonies sprinkled in here and there. "Big Sur" started off with some nice psychedelic sounds, but never built upon it. The best thing going for this album was the cohesive theme of places that the band longed for. This album did a few things well, but the band didn't leverage those things very well. I'm really confused as to why this was on this list. I'd much rather listen to Guster, Built to Spill, or Dawes, all of whom do a much better job of what I think The Thrills were trying to do here.

2.5

i think 3 stars is good. would listen again. very chill

This is what I was hoping for with 1001 alum generator. This album was neat. Never heard and really enjoyed. Closest thing to Neil young I’ll probably ever care for. “Don’t steal our sun” sounds like it’s off of basement on a hill. Almost does a chino Moreno with the singers voice at times. A hidden track is a funny throw back.

oh my fucking god the singer sounds like jennifer coolidge. what the fuck.

It's okay, just didn't interest me very much.

I listened to this album a lot when it came out. It’s airy music that’s nice to listen to at the cottage in the summer. Nice harmonies. Solid indie record. Can’t imagine all the Iggy Poppers liking it much haha.

Nicht meins

This is fantastic. Never heard any of this and pleasantly surprised

Not much of a thrill. Did like the album art though.

Decent album - not a huge thrill.

I quite enjoyed that!

Meh. Boring and bland. Why this would be an album that anyone would say you must listen to before you die is beyond me. 1/5

Inoffensive, but not awful

This was a pleasant listen. Definitely the kind of band I would be super into when I was 14. I would add some songs to a playlist, but I don't think I'll give this whole album a listen again anytime soon.

Sounds like Elliot smith, but happier

Sounds like a low-rent Wilco. Not sure why this is here. It's not a terrible album, but nothing on here made it onto any of my playlists, and based on this listening, I wouldn't seek out any more of their discography.

Kinda sounds like if bruce Springsteens backing band played for a shittier songwriter

"So Much for the City" by The Thrills is a breezy and nostalgic album that pays homage to the golden era of California rock. Released in 2003, it's a melodic and sun-soaked record that transports listeners to a different time and place. Tracks like "Big Sur" and "One Horse Town" are catchy and immediately evoke feelings of carefree summer days. The album's production is polished, capturing the essence of '60s and '70s pop-rock with lush harmonies and jangly guitars. While "So Much for the City" doesn't necessarily break new ground, it excels in its ability to conjure a sense of longing and nostalgia. It's a perfect soundtrack for road trips and lazy afternoons, making it a delightful addition to the indie rock landscape. With its evocative melodies and warm vibes, it earns a solid 4/5 rating.

So Much for an Average Indie Rock Album Aping Teenage Fanclub With Some Indie Folk Influences Thrown In

That was alright, but nothing new under the sun.

It reminds me of the time when it was cool to support your chorus with a nice little glockenspiel.

Never heard of the Thrills before, I don't really see how much space there was in the 00s for a Beach Boys style band and I guess that's why they only put out 3 albums. There are some nice moments throughout the album and it does obviously have its own feel which is slightly unique. I'm also sure they had a great great time making and recording this album, but I wouldn't say it's that special or exciting for me. I'd rather just go and listen to a Beach Boys album which is slightly better. So although I do enjoy this formula of catchy melodies, multiple layered harmonies, experimentation with many instruments and sounds, and American summer surf vibes, that's only one layer of the depth of multiple layers to the Beach Boys.

This was so beige I could not care about it. Every song blurred into one. Not for me!!

Very forgettable. So much so that after it finished and went onto something else I struggled to remember what it was like. It's just kind of samey stuff. It sounds nice, I guess but it's just blah.

The Thrills is the antithesis of this band. They are, in fact, the sads. The elements are here for something I’d enjoy, quirky licks, bluesy twangs, drumfills… however the singer irks me.

So twee it sets your teeth on edge. Couldn’t wait for it to be over.

Why is this album even here? Generic indie pop with zero impact on anything, ffs. I guess they thought "hey, 1001 is a cool number", chose the few hundred that are really worth and then started to randomly fill the gaps. It is the only explanation I can think of that justifies this kind of music being present here.

I'm sure this sound is for someone, but that someone is not me.

Better than it deserves to be. Something short of remarkable.

Liked this one more than I thought I would!

Nothing Notable.

The album is OK, some songs might be fun by themselves but it gets tedious after a while. There's a general lack of energy and emotion. Main singer is just so flat and artificial.

Very chill album. If the guy had a better falsetto, would be a 5, sometimes takes away from the beauty of the music. One could argue that the cracking heard in the falsetto contributes to the general conveyance of the emotion though.

If I heard these guys playing in a bar, I’d think, “hey, they’re pretty good”

Small town country by way of California by way of Ireland sung by a borderline prepubescent whisperer. Makes sense for the final credits of a Friday Night Lights episode, but a whole album of it is just exhausting. Best track: Big Sur

Fun lil blog era sound. Pitchfork is shaking!

A cute happy indie pop band with alt country and power pop characteristics. I'm hearing Flaming Lips, Wilco, Big Star, Mercury Rev, and some contemporary emo bands (akin to Death Cab for Cutie). I was expecting a trashy generic garage revival band like Jet, but instead I got something bright, soothing, and very catchy overlayed with harmonic vocals and futuristic synths. On one hand, I was amazed. But on the other, I can see why they never took off. There's some cool things here, but they don't do as much creatively as what Flaming Lips or Wilco could do. I'm sure they could if they put in the effort, but it's not here. Their deep cuts are nothing special other than feel-good music. I did find quite a lot to like out of all their high-energy tracks, so if they were able to replicate some of those to the chiller tracks, I'm sure they could've kept my attention. Fun Fact: "Say It Ain't So" was found on George Bush's iPod. It's the song with a lot of country, garage, and pop, and it's fast enough to dance to, so I can see why. Favorites: Santa Cruz, Big Sur, One Horse Town, Your Love is Like Las Vegas,

The Thrills' sophomore album, "So Much for the City," is a masterclass in timeless indie pop-rock that whisks listeners away to a place where sunny days and carefree afternoons seem to stretch on forever. Released in 2003, this Irish band's work encapsulates the essence of early 2000s indie music while offering a sonic journey that still resonates with fans today. Clocking in at just under 40 minutes, "So Much for the City" delivers a succinct yet complete listening experience. From the opening track, "Santa Cruz (You're Not That Far)," it's clear that The Thrills aim to transport their audience to a world filled with sun-drenched beaches and surfboards. The song's breezy melodies and catchy hooks set the tone for the entire album, creating an inviting atmosphere that is both comforting and exhilarating. One of the album's standout tracks, "Big Sur," showcases The Thrills' knack for crafting lyrics that are simultaneously wistful and hopeful. The song's lyrics evoke a sense of longing for a simpler, more carefree time, a theme that runs throughout the album. Combined with its infectious melodies and harmonious instrumentation, "Big Sur" is a shining example of the band's ability to strike an emotional chord with their audience. The Thrills' musical prowess is particularly evident in their instrumental arrangements. "So Much for the City" features a blend of acoustic and electric guitars, warm organ tones, and subtle percussion, creating a lush sonic landscape that perfectly complements the album's lyrical themes. Tracks like "Hollywood Kids" and "Your Love Is Like Las Vegas" showcase the band's ability to craft intricate and textured soundscapes that draw listeners in. Vocalist Conor Deasy's distinctive voice is another key element that sets The Thrills apart. His smooth, emotive delivery is the perfect vessel for the album's lyrics, adding depth and authenticity to each song. Whether he's crooning about California dreams or the ups and downs of love, Deasy's vocals are both soothing and evocative, making it easy for listeners to connect with the songs on a personal level. While "So Much for the City" is predominantly known for its upbeat, feel-good tracks, the album also delves into more introspective territory. "One Horse Town" and "Say It Ain't So" explore themes of disillusionment and the desire for something more, providing a balanced contrast to the album's more joyful moments. This emotional range adds depth to the overall listening experience, allowing the album to resonate on multiple levels. One of the album's defining qualities is its ability to transport listeners to a specific time and place. "So Much for the City" captures the essence of early 2000s indie music, offering a nostalgic trip down memory lane for those who grew up during that era. Yet, its timeless quality also makes it accessible and enjoyable for new generations of music enthusiasts. In conclusion, The Thrills' "So Much for the City" is a musical gem that continues to shine brightly nearly two decades after its release. With its infectious melodies, evocative lyrics, and a seamless blend of nostalgia and optimism, the album remains a testament to the enduring power of indie pop-rock. Whether you're revisiting it for a dose of nostalgia or discovering it for the first time, "So Much for the City" is an album that is sure to leave a lasting impression.

I really enjoyed this. I remember hearing a couple of songs when they came out and this took me right back to that point in my life. I’m happy to have listed to this. It’s really pleasant and clean.

La musique post années 2000 est toujours infiniment plus agréable à l'oreille que toute celle du vingtième siècle. J'ai particulièrement apprécié la présence d'un son caché en fin d'album, M. Pokora l'avait aussi fait quelques années plus tard dans son album Player.

J'ai bien apprecié cet album, notamment le moment où les membres du groupe The Thrilles nous offriront quelques pas dancés latéraux en chantonnant "Elle me contrôôôôle, elle guide mes pas"

Great album

Decent oul album. Up the irish

Well Santa Cruz is actually 2,418 miles away so I’d say it’s not close either

Listened Before? N Pretty cool. Just kinda generic-y early 2000's stuff. I don't know that I'd go out of my way to listen to it but it wasn't terribel. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: Big Sur

first listen not used to hearing banjo from an irish band

Santa Cruz // Big Sur 2.5/5

The kind of thing I would’ve definitely liked in 2017-18~, and I still occasionally listen to this kind of music now so it gets a boost for genre. However within that type of music I didn’t find it all that remarkable. Favourite song Til the Tide Creeps In.

Getting some Damien Rice from "Old Friends, New Lovers" Very 2000's, liked the vibe

This could have been great modern/retro indie pop except that his voice is awful. One and done for me.

Just got The Zutons and now this, so I guess I'm on a stretch of forgettable indie rock. There's something about the breathy vocals and California-name-checking lyrics that is a particular turnoff for me.

schrott

With a vocalist with little range makes this very samey and frankly irritating to listen to. How is this on the list ?

Un disc del seu espai i temps. Seria com posar a la llista algun treball de Kula Shaker o The Jeevas. Al seu moment estaven a l'oïda de tothom, però ara ja ningú se'n recorda. En el cas de The Thrills, melodies pop retro buscant una certa modernitat, i amb algun moment afortunat com 'One Horse Town'

Noise indie folk. Qué bonito sonido.

They were fairly exciting at the time, and this is a pleasant enough listen. The singles were all great but didn’t carry across the whole album. Just don’t go back to Bicester.. 3.5

Killer then filler

i found this album boring. in fact i almost fell asleep 47 times while listening to it. even during the more upbeat songs, something seems missing. and i just can’t with that guy’s voice.

That last review was supposed to go here. "this is like death cab for cutie and guster meets The Beach Boys and I really liked it."

I thought this would be a little more edgy, what with the name The Thrills. But it’s nice sounding. Not sure why I have to listen to it before I die though. This is becoming more and more a question popping into my head with this list.

This album turned into a forgettable album, but this was such a great listen. I forgot how many memorable songs came from The Thrills, too bad they and this album got lost in the early 00's indie-crossover flop. 3/5.

Irsk indie poprock, fra 00’erne, faktisk meget hyggeligt

Kinda sounds like a ripoff of Neil Young or Bob Dylan. Not bad, but why not just listen to them instead?

Came away wondering why this album was on the list. The blog summary of the album did not explain it. Sounded like they were trying to impersonate Elliott Smith but with none of the emotion.

Wanted to like this more than I did. The guys voice is a bit polarizing I imagine. 2.5/5

Sonido un tanto parecido a The Byrds, pero en versión más moderna. Un poco más melancólico. Ritmos tranquilos y fácilmente escuchables.

A pleasant and inoffensive indie folk rock record from the early noughties. Maybe this will be something I'll sort of vibe with going into autumn, with shorter and cooler days coming back around, a nice time to get out and go for country walks, when the British weather allows for it... I didn't find much of this to be of much interest though, but there were a few good tracks here, and nothing I outright disliked. Favourite: Say It Ain't So

I feel like I’ve heard this same album by countless other bands. If I found this album back in 2003, I would’ve loved it but 20 years later it doesn’t feel unique.

Irish indie rock for the new millennium. Conor Deasy's wispy vocals develops much of this album's personality, though the band arrangements are nothing to scoff at. It gets a bit slow at times and it's not all that memorable, but it's a nice enough listen for the runtime. In a word: pleasant.

An Irish band that's obsessed with Americana, singing indie pop about America when they probably hadn't been to America when they wrote this album. Also, I guess half the people on the cover aren't actually in the band? Christ, it's sugary sweet. I imagine this is the sort of music they play in insane asylums to try and keep everyone happy, but it just drives everyone even madder. 2/5.

Meh

Great California sunshine pop I’d never heard of before. “Don’t Steal Our Sun” sounds perhaps like an Elliott Smith song run through the happy sun machine.

I was already quite familiar with the album and used to listen to it in while I was in high school. Pretty sure “Big Sur” was on The OC and was how I became acquainted.

Pretty boring but perfectly fine background music

A pretty mellow album with a nice sense of melody. It's a weird mix of sounds since there's sort of a rustic vibe from the banjos and harmonicas that crosses semi-uncomfortably with the singer's thin whispery indie voice. Overall it's interesting and pretty pleasant, although not something that hits me hard. Best song: Say It Ain't So [hi, Dubya]

Dit was dus eigenlijk best wel tof!

Feel good muziek! And I like it!

Ik had hier meer van verwacht. Big Sur vind ik een leuk liedje maar een heel album van dit soort trage tegen het zeverige-aan muziek is echt too much to take.

Beetje boring, maar vooruit; ik rond het af naar boven want er zaten een paar aardige nummers tussen.

This is straight trash. It was 45 minutes too long. They can't sing and it's indie music. Avoid.

If generic rock music as a genre released an album. 6/10.

This album put me to sleep.

Never heard of this band. Album was ok on 1st listen. Probably need to hear it again.

Loved it: why this album isn't so know I have no clue bc I loved it. Felt instantly recognisable and hit the spot on my first listening. Some of the best new rock I have listen to yet and probably my favourite band I have discovered whom I have never even heard of before. Keep it coming.

5/10. This sounds like someone kidnapped the Eels and tried to force them to make a country album, and this was as close as they could get. But I suppose if it's good enough for George Bush's iPod, it's good enough for this list

Surprisingly enjoyable. 7/10

Nothing too exciting

Too country sounding for me.

Meh. 2/5

Inaccurate name

Nice, listenable album.

This sounds light early-naughties indie-folk-rock. Its pleasant, but not mind blowing.