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Amazon.co.uk Review
With their second album coming in at just over 35 minutes, no one could ever accuse the Thrills of going prog--Let's Bottle Bohemia sticks to the retro formula of the three-and-a-half-minute pop song, making it hugely accessible and instantly likeable.
The opener "Tell Me Something I Don't Know" is a bit of a tease as the first chord crashes in like George Harrison's on "A Hard Days Night", then develops a Bowie-esque, glam swagger before hopping back to upbeat guitar pop for the rest of the album. Still sounding roughly as they did on So Much for the City, their style has developed more of its own identity, partly due to the lack of obvious American influences that recurred throughout their debut. "Faded Beauty Queens" and "You Can't Fool Old Friends With Limousines" are insanely catchy, reminiscent of "Don't Steal Our Sun" and "Big Sur"; "Whatever Happened to Corey Haim" is a rousing Phil Spector-esque wall of beautifully arranged sound; and "Not for All the Love in the World" is a rhythm-heavy ballad, led by a booming piano, the only downbeat song on the album. The album closer and sure to be live favourite is "The Irish Keep Gatecrashing", another catchy, almost jig-like number with a fantastic falsetto and harmonies in the chorus, a perfect way to finish the album. If Lets Bottle Bohemia needed to be summed up in one phrase it would have to be "quality over quantity". --David Trueman
Review
Let's Bottle Bohemia is the all important second album from Irish indie popsters The Thrills. It will determine if the hugely successful debut release So Much For The City was a one-off or whether the band have got more than one album in them.
It gets off to a very promising start with "Tell Me Something I Don't Know" - a strong piano melody and drums with a strident vocal over a Hammond organ backing. This is followed by their latest single "Whatever Happened To Corey Haim"; three minutes and thirty-four seconds of great pop. Personally I think the strings are a little overdone but Van Dyke Parks (string arranger for Brian Wilson's Smile amongst others) probably knows better. Peter Buck provides some extra guitar backing on the next song "Faded Beauty Queens". Apparently the R.E.M guitarist dropped into a Thrills gig in Seattle and subsequently agreed to play on the track.
The Dubliners' influences still sound more Stateside than Celtic. Note the references to gas rather than petrol and the songs discussing the American Dream. No doubt their producer Dave Sardy, who has produced Marilyn Manson and Johnny Cash, contributed to this American sound. The band have verve, youth and vigour and their ebullient style puts me in mind of The Monkees until I listen to the lyrics. Can you imagine Davy Jones singing about "a hooker with a heart of gold"?
These songs are not as cutesy as they first appear, they contain a dark element that gives them a certain depth. Written by the singer Conor Deasy, they frequently have a maturity that belie his young years but during others he comes across as a carefree lad who doesn't want to get tied down.
During a recent interview Deasy revealed that this album was pretty much written on the road. This was in stark contrast to their debut album that had been carefully honed before recording started. Let's Bottle Bohemia was recorded straight from raw demos and they are keen to keep such spontaneity going. In fact their main writer and singer is already chomping at the bit to get started on the third album and if that turns out anything like the last two - bring it on! --Niky Daley
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I was disappointed with this album after enjoying the Thrills great debut 'So much for the City' with it's strong retro US west coast influences, but this album sounds like a band trying to leave that genre behind and as a result not really sure what they want to be. With the notable exception of the excellent opening track and catchy single 'what ever happened to etc...' this second album lacks any real energy or spark. The problem is that this album constantly sounds like a diluted version of many other bands and lacks originality and a memorable melody. I listened to this album intensely only last week and I can't give you a hook or chorus from any of it. This album is proof that there is no future in basing your career sounding like the past because you can't progress. Better luck next time guys.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This album is as good if not better than the first. The overall sound is rougher but altogether more coherent and geared to being played live. Not For All The Love In The World is probably the stand out track but this is one of those where you enjoy different tracks on subsequent listens. One you can listen to over and over......Enjoy!!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
The first thing that you must realise is that this album is not alot different to the Thrills' debut "so Much For The City". The sunshine pop that haunted the band has sort of gone, but this is still a collection of songs mainly influenced by 60's/70's american pop music.Connor Deasys' lyrics are becoming more adventurous and the rewards are a much more grown up album than the first.
This reveiw is a little biased as I am a massive fan of the band but I am really impressed by the new album. I felt the tempo of the first album was a little bit all over the place- slow song, fast song, slow song etc. The new album on the other hand flows along with great ease and even though it lasts just short of 45 minutes, listening to the whole album is as easy as listening to a single.
Some, infact most of the music press has slated this album but I recommend it very highly. It may not be the soundtrack to the summer like the last album but "Lets Bottle Bohemia" is surely going to make this autumn a whole lot more enjoyable.
This reveiw is a little biased as I am a massive fan of the band but I am really impressed by the new album. I felt the tempo of the first album was a little bit all over the place- slow song, fast song, slow song etc. The new album on the other hand flows along with great ease and even though it lasts just short of 45 minutes, listening to the whole album is as easy as listening to a single.
Some, infact most of the music press has slated this album but I recommend it very highly. It may not be the soundtrack to the summer like the last album but "Lets Bottle Bohemia" is surely going to make this autumn a whole lot more enjoyable.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Sunshine Stateless
The Thrills first album The "Thrills": "So Much for the City" for Guitar Tablaturewas a superbly crafted tribute to the sunny pop of 60's, and this album continues this format... Read more
Published on 9 May 2010 by William Roads
Awesome Album
A great album. A lot more varied in subject matter than their first album 'So much for the City'.
This is a favorite album of mine, more so than their first. Read more
This is a favorite album of mine, more so than their first. Read more
Published on 30 Mar 2008 by David Martin Hannam
Brilliant summer album, its got it all!!!!!!!!
Really loved this album, even better than the first one. Great summer feel to it,and a great mixture of tracks. Read more
Published on 23 May 2007 by Mark McCleary
Better then the first album
Firstly I don't understand why this album has such dissapointing reviews, its absolutley wonderful. I own the first album and wasn't overly impressed, but I bought Bohemia anyway... Read more
Published on 14 Jan 2007 by L. Moore
Let's Bottle Bohemia - The Thrills
I have never felt the urge to write a review before but this album has nudged me into action.
The Thrills' previous album was one of my favourite albums of 2003. Read more
Published on 15 Aug 2005 by Adrian Prescott
The Thrills....How ironic
The thrills....How Ironic, from a band that sounds like songs being put in slow motion. A boring, lifeless Album from A boring, Lifeless Band. Read more
Published on 11 Jun 2005 by LordMetal
What a pity!
I really liked The Thrills first album, but this one I just did not enjoy. Out of all the tracks I think three are really good and well worth a listen; Whatever Happened to Corey... Read more
Published on 9 Feb 2005
Conor is a legend!
I am The biggest thrills fan and i think this particular album is a master piece. this album has everythink you want Indie , easylistening, and alternative rock beacaus this has it... Read more
Published on 15 Jan 2005
Excellent Album
this is an excellent album, other reviewers have listed all the obvious tracks like "Whatever Happened to Corey Haim" but have failed to mention one of the better songs of the... Read more
Published on 30 Dec 2004 by "deathinvegas"
Brilliant
The Thrills follow up to So Much For The City sees more of the same Neil Young and Beach Boys vibe as was in the first album. Read more
Published on 17 Nov 2004 by "andyh218"
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