ARTIST: The Thermals                

TITLE:  More Parts per Million

YEAR RELEASED: 2003

CHART ACTION: None

SINGLES: None

OTHER SONGS YOU MAY KNOW: Not outside of KEXP, probably

LINEUP: Hutch Harris.

WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT: Basically a solo album for Hutch Harris, who did everything himself. Kathy Foster, his former folkie duo partner, would soon join as he put together a real band.

SOME WORDS, PHRASES AND CLAUSES ABOUT THIS RECORD: It’s a cheap album, all done by Hutch Harris, and costing less than $100 to record. It is a bit rough around the edges, but it does sound like the Thermals.

Harris changed directions from his old band with Kathy Foster, who soon joined Harris on stage with Jordan Hudson, writing in a alternative / punk rock style with some earnest vocals.

This is another record where the songs whir and blur together, and it’s hard to pick out a standout cut. It’s all OK, and Harris and company would improve as they matured as a band.

NOTES & MINUTIAE: The folk due was Hutch & Kathy – which sounds like an SNL skit.

IS THERE A DELUXE VERSION: No

GRADE: C+:  I can’t say it’s great, but it’s decent enough in parts. It just all is kind of the same, really.