The Thermals Make MAGNET A Mix Tape

Over the years, the Thermals have proved that they’re not afraid to write about some serious subjects, including religion, politics and death. The Portland, Ore., trio’s fifth album, Personal Life, is all about love, baby—and all the ups and downs, backs and forths, and hots and colds that go with it. The LP, produced by Death Cab for Cutie’s Chris Walla (who also helped out on second album Fuckin A), will be out September 7 via Kill Rock Stars. Drummer/vocalist Westin Glass and bassist/vocalist Kathy Foster split MAGNET Mix Tape duty, with their own wet and dry opinions on the perfect summer playlist.

“I Don’t Believe You” (download):
https://magnetmagazine.com/audio/IDontBelieveYou.mp3

Side A: The Dry Side (a.k.a. Westin’s side)
The Cribs “Men’s Needs”
The sound my ears crave the most lately is a very dry recording where all the elements are right there in your face. I think this Cribs record is mainly to blame; when I first heard it, I suddenly realized what I’d been missing in today’s swamp of overused reverb. This song is so awesome! My favorite part is Ross’s 16th-note beat in the chorus, especially where he switches from hi-hat to ride cymbal halfway through. It’s so deadpan, so genius, so … English. Video

Thin Lizzy “Running Back”
Phil Lynott was a sentimental bastard: the classic “tough guy” who’s soft on the inside. This is such an awesome song, so personal and full of realistic emotions—and killer riffs. One of the few songs in which I actually like saxophone. And I love the dry, in-your-face recording of the whole Jailbreak record. Video

ZZ Top “Waitin’ For The Bus”/”Jesus Just Left Chicago”
What do ZZ Top and Thin Lizzy have in common, besides sporting double zeds in their names? Super-dry recordings! The one/two punch of “Waitin’ For The Bus” and “Jesus Just Left Chicago” kicks off their third record Tres Hombres. A really great, minimal three-piece rock band at the top of its game, playing those white-boy Texas blues. Video

Queens Of The Stone Age “If Only”
Another really dry recording! QOTSA have always been one of my favorite bands. Their first album has turned out to be the one I keep going back to. It’s super stone-y, and all the sounds are really dialed in and textured. They are geniuses at adding/removing minimal elements to keep the song simultaneously engaging and hypnotic. Video

The Congos “Wrong Thing”
OK, after all those really dry recordings, I bet your throat is aching for a nice cool drink of reverb. Let us turn to one of the masters of reverb; with Lee Perry at the helm of the Black Ark, you know you’re in store for a delicious, thirst-quenching slake of spacy verb-wash. The best part is that this was recorded on a four-track—that was considered low-tech even in 1976. I love this song! The singing is gorgeous, and the groove is unshakeable. “Wrong Thing” expresses a difficult emotion: caring deeply about people you love and their struggles, while being frustrated at their inability to recognize how their own habits contribute to their problems. Video

Side B: The Wet Side (a.k.a. Kathy’s side)
The Pharmacy “Coldest Morning Light”
Thank you, Westin. Let’s keep it wet with this rad, ’60s-sounding recording from 2009! Drenched in hot, humid New Orleans reverb (this album was written and recorded there, and it sounds like it), these songs transport me South and out of the present to a stone-y, sun-soaked ’60s (minus that pesky racist tension). Video

Best Coast “Something In The Way”
Stoner, beach-blanket, dance, make-out music. Love it! Video

Wampire “Orchards”
Still stoned, still making out. Hard. Audio

The Whines “Insane OK”
Kind of burnt out now and a little raw. Just kinda laying there on the beach, sun in the eyes, waves in the ears. Audio

White Fang “Grateful To Shred”
Now we’re partying again! Passing joints and thrashing. Video