There’s something about a new Thermals record that makes me interested and apathetic at the same time.  I look forward to hearing each new one, and it’s usually good.  On the other hand, I know it’s not going to be another More Parts Per Million or Fuckin A.  The band seem to have gone through the same routine that The Mountain Goats have on recent releases.  Seemingly given more money to play about in the studio, you get a cleaner, crisper record, but one with slightly less charm.  The songwriting is certainly no worse than before, and musically it’s all very good, but it’s a little too refined.  Those earlier albums were messy and all the better for it.  Still, I probably shouldn’t be judging the whole upcoming Thermals one on the back of this one song.

Personal Life will be released on September 7 via Kill Rock Stars.  I Don’t Believe You is available as a promo mp3, but seeing as publicity is a bad thing, only via one site.  Go and hunt for it if you care enough.  Instead, here are a couple of classic Thermals songs, via Sub Pop, who are happy to share them about:

MP3 The Thermals – A Pillar of Salt / MP3 The Thermals – No Culture Icons

Website / Myspace / Twitter