The Thrills - 'Santa Cruz... EP' (Virgin)
4/5
By: Toby L
It doesn't take an Einstein to calculate the long-term potential for Ireland's latest, young rock-protιgιs; press before they've released a record, a debut, UK live-performance as support to one of Morrissey's recent sell-out London shows, and a name which is worryingly 'now' - all positive indications that their towering lullabies and Flaming Lips-esque, grandiose approach to song-writing will hold them in healthy stead for the fast-advancing year ahead.
The quintet's debut-EP, rewardingly, heralds all of their fast-emerging notoriety to be more than justifiable. With lead-track and opener 'Santa Cruz (You're Not That Far)', understated bliss is the objective, mild tempo-changes and hovering, dreamy arrangements providing the essential backdrop to Conor Deasy's innocently exuberant, soothing vocals.
In a rare feat of genius too, the whole ordeal improves as each number slips past, the wistful piano and high-pitched voice locked within 'Deckchairs and Cigarettes' as timeless and haunting as they come, and youthful sweetness of 'Your Love Is Like Las Vegas' forming the delightful indie-hybrid between SFA and The Electric Soft Parade - and that's not discounting the Johnny Marr guitarisms. Lyrically, proceedings are rarely complex, but denying the effective naivety of such wide-eyed sentiments as 'Things are gonna get tough/And you know what/You're gonna have to get tough, too' would be the very work of a stone-cold, heartless Westlife-fan. Deasy even manages to croon during the final, banjo-tinged composition, 'Everybody's gotta have plans', and - judging by this release alone - it seems that The Thrills' own agenda is to win your heart. Believe us too - they'll succeed in their unrelenting quest.
Artists in this article: The Thrills
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