David M Rangel / September 1, 2026 / Review
And the comebacks just keep on coming. 2026 has been a year for a number of prominent bands to come out of long, multi-year hibernations. The Afghan Whigs, The Academy Is… and Australia’s Faker are but a few bands who have returned with new records that measure up to, or even surpass their strongest material, from years ago. Let’s add The Thermals to that list as primary Thermal Hutch Harris is back and true to form with Under Crushing Rain, a record with the pugnacious, no frills sound, and approach that harkens back to the band‘s earliest records.
From track one, “Good Morning Fellow Scavengers” (with its perfectly placed carnival-sounding keyboards), Harris rips through 10 uncomplicated songs whose cadence exhibits a youthful exuberance usually heard in much younger artists at the earliest points in their career. The lo-fi sounding recordings get back to the basics of a band who are shunning complicated production and experiencing the joys of recording on what sounds like a portable four track or eight track studio, all with a 90s style of “not”overthinking things.
Harris has never pulled any punches with his scathing lyrical commentary that has addressed religion, forms of authoritarianism and other components and forces that want to rule the existence of the average man/woman. He continues to do that here in his distinctive, one of a kind voice that wouldn’t be out of place in cartoons or a Dead Kennedys tribute band. But Harris’ “colorful” voice contradicts the lyrical content of songs, such as “Spirit Collectors” a punky, garage rock- style track which features a chunky, immediate guitar riff that gives the feel of 70s glam rock, powerhouses, The Sweet. A pre-released single, the track gives a sense of rock ‘n’ roll, exhilaration and motivation to be who you are and not let the ever soul-sucking forces, steal your joy and accomplishments. And they certainly will always try. The deeper messages as is the with many of Harris’ songs, is offset by catchy earworm music.
The Thermals have always been an amalgamation of a number of different sounds that make them often difficult to categorize. They’ve had some records that were bigger, more involved productions than others. But even when they get down to barebone basics as they have with this record, there are musical styles present that don’t seem like they would go together, but somehow work. “Under Crashing Rain” with its guiding strings that sound like a ukulele, leading an almost lounge-like band and vocal cadence is a curious choice for a title track. Especially when more powerful, hook-laden tracks like “A Dark Dark Place”, “Angel Eyes Are Always Watching” (my personal favorite) and “I Will Be Delivered” so easily get into your head. The bottom line is that the easygoing DIY sensibilities of this record give it punk credibility even when the sounds wander out of the confines of what people think of when it comes to “punk” They create sounds from the ground up using components of “garage“, “punk“ and “rock“ all based on the bedrock of “pop”. Harris is keeping the original spirit of when he first got into music, alive with this new album and we are the better for it.
The Thermals have made a strong comeback record that will undoubtedly make listeners remember how much they have missed them. The timeless pop and rock components done in such a way, with a certain something that Harris has always possessed is a welcome sort of throwback, while at the same time having a current modern sense of energy and newness. The album is an urgent audio testament to the fact that even in these days of modern technology, so much can be done with basic, time tested rock ‘n’ roll ideas.
The album is out everywhere this Friday, September 4th. Listen to the latest single here.
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