Record Label: Sub Pop Records
Genre: Power Pop Punk
Band Link: link
Buy on Amazon.com link

Who said you couldn’t make a biblical themed concept album with three chord punk rock? The Thermals did it, and they did it fucking well. This may well be one of the most interesting albums ever to focus on that dude Noah and his Ark. Obviously someone took something out of Sunday School other than close-mindedness; singer Hutch Harris manages to belt out passionately told stories over loud guitars and throbbing drums. It’s all about the allusions, baby.

I feel like coming from the indie rock world, which is mostly where they’re getting noticed, a band like The Thermals might get overlooked in the punk scene. Snobby punks will see the Sub Pop Records imprint and run away in fear that they might be another band copping Nirvana. If the Buzzcocks are gods, or at least semi-Goldblums, then I’d quite frankly be surprised if you don’t love this album. It’s like listening to Ted Leo minus the falsetto, or the undead Exploding Hearts. Although they would be way cooler because they would be zombies….but either way, this is one of the best punk rock concept albums by a Portland trio. So check it out if that floats your boat.

Bottom Line: Punky music for the smarter and distinctly more awesome.
Notable Tracks: Returning to the Fold, A Pillar of Salt, Here’s Your Future
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