Teenager

Thrills (Ireland), Thrills | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 30, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Virgin Records Us
• ASIN: B000PC1KGG
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #50,919 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #100 in Music > Alternative Rock > Indie & Lo-Fi > Chamber Pop

Editorial Reviews

2007 album from the Irish Rock/Pop quintet, their third album overall. Having toured non-stop for four and a half years, the band established their credentials as one of the key acts of the decade, and got a taste of what it is like to perform at some of the biggest venues in the world, in the company of U2 and Oasis, amongst others. Teenager, produced by Tony Hoffer (Beck, Supergrass, Fratellis), speaks of adolescence, the loss of innocence and of leaving it all behind. It is the sound of a band re-invigorated by the simple love of working and playing together again. 11 tracks featuring the single 'Nothing Changes Around Here'. EMI. 2007.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Gem, August 18, 2007

By 

B. Corbett (California) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Teenager (Audio CD)

The Thrills third release, Teenager, is a compelling listen from a compelling band. The Thrills are sometimes chided for their "California" style , but this is a shallow critique. There is a richness to their unique sound and Teenager is their richest yet. This album will take some time to get into, but soon the nuances and sweet melodies will win you over and merit repeat listens. I don't see this album garnering much radio play, particularly in the States. Maybe "Midnight Choir" will break through. It's a great song. I get the picture that these guys are more interested in making good albums than making singles. However, this band oozes with talent and, with the rare ability to capture joy in their music, I think it is only a matter of time before they have a radio classic...not yet though. Lead singer Conor Deasy uses his voice masterfully, but his thoughtful, scattered lyrics don't always grab the listener. That will be the key, if radio success is what they seek. These guys are full of tunes, they follow a different lineage of rock, and they take risks in their songs and that is why I find them compelling. They are a band to follow for the long haul, not a band that tailors its sound to current and passing tastes in popular music. I don't know if Teenager will be released in the U.S. but it is worth buying the import. You'll get your money's worth.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Will be welcomed by existing fans, August 3, 2007

By 

J. Higgins (Jessup MD) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Teenager (Audio CD)

The third CD by the Thrills will please existing fans of the group, but it's unclear to me if it will be the powerful album that will win new fans, especially in the US. While the majority of the tunes are about three minutes in length (in a nod to fostering radio airplay), there is no one track that really stands out for an `Alternative' or `Progressive' song list. There is also no one song that will get the attention of Programming Directors for top 40 stations, either - that's no slag on the album, given the dire state of Top 40 right now, but you need that exposure to get the teen / Young Adult market's attention. Somehow "Teenager" straddles the no-man's-land between genres, and it remains to be seen if either camp will pick up on it.

The Beach Boys motifs from "So Much for the City" are pretty much absent here, but the Byrds echoes are still present to good effect. "Nothing Changes Around Here" is a great rock song and the best cut on the album. Other up-tempo tracks such as "Long Forgotten Song", "I'm So Sorry", and "No More Empty Words" will get your foot tapping, trust me.

Most of the criticism directed at the group's prior CDs focused on vocalist Conor Deasy and his rather strained singing style, which tended to be showcased on the slower, more spare ballads on "So Much for the City" and "Let's Bottle Bohemia". "Teenager" tries to stay away from these situations by having some strong rhythms to just about every track. The only songs where these rhythms are markedly subdued to the vocals are in the title track, and "Should've Known Better". The melancholy, almost bluesey approach to "Teenager" does seem to work in giving Deasy's vocals enough room to be expressive, but not overly taxed. Based on these adjustments I think it's worthwhile for anyone curious about the Thrills to get the entire album, and not just a few select songs a' la' iTunes.

As an afterthought, it's hard not to get the feeling that this is a skilled band, in terms of musicianship, that seems to be a bit too constrained by their compositions. I get the feeling that the band could really let loose with some powerful rock and roll licks that would rival anyone on the Alternative scene if it moves away from the folk-rock, 3 to 4 min Single format that seems to dominate "Teenager". We'll have to see what the group comes up with on their next studio production.....

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Thrills cd yet!, November 11, 2007

By 

M. C. Marsh - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Teenager (Audio CD)

I have all 3 Thrills cds and Teenager is the best one of the bunch. The songs on Teenager are more infectious and catchy. Not just bubble gum catchy, but thoughtful arrangements. Songs 4,6,7, and 11 are my favorites. There's just a few filler songs.