warm thrills - warm thrills

Warm Thrills

Warm Thrills
self-released; 2013

3.9 out of 5

By Sean Dennison

Three friends comprising Warm Thrills got together to record their self-titled album Warm Thrills before going off to college. Sam Glick is on guitar and does some vocals, Alec Mapes does some vocals but is on bass and Max Freedberg is on drums. The trio creates lazy-dazey bedroom pop (or lo-fi simplistic rock, whatever) that makes me think of the word "pillowesque."

Several elements at work here: surf-rock-inspired guitar melodies, nebulous production to give it that static haze, vocal harmonies and lyrical themes dealing with summer love and adolescent struggles and stuff. You can probably relate. The music isn't challenging or anything, but it is relaxing to listen to and the boys even bang out a couple of memorable moments, such as the subtle riffage bubbling beneath the surface of "Kind of Girl." Other elements or moments that make Warm Thrills a fun listen is the fun drumming on "Sad Smiles" and the toe-tapping-inducing "Preaching to the Dying."

Actually, all the melodies make me tap my toes…

The album starts with a delightful song entitled "Boyfriend" which feels like a summer breeze. The clean, slightly effected guitar sounds perfect against the attractive voice of the lead singer. It reminded me a bit of something you might hear from a group like The Magnetic Fields. "Girls Of My Dreams" continues with another inspired vocal performance while "Never-Ending Fountains" is a dreamy, melancholy number that still manages to feel fun.

A clean little pop album great for a day at the beach. The sound is so carefree that I almost feel bad that college may very well ruin these three boys' relationship (you'll see what I mean).

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