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More Parts Per Million
by
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More Parts Per Million Image
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 8 Ratings

  • Summary: Portland, Oregon's The Thermals recorded this "no-fi" (otherwise known as "very, very, very lo-fi") debut album direct to four-track at the house of founding member Hutch Harris.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. Uncut
    90
    As with the best bedroom punk records, the bloody-knuckled passion and immediacy of these 13 rapid songs transcends any cavils about sound quality. [Oct 2003, p.130]
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  2. Delusions of Adequacy
    80
    It's messy and it's fun. Sometimes pop music isn't meant to be cleaned up and polished to death, and here is proof of that.
  3. AllMusic
    80
    Adding some variety to their tempos would make the band even more impressive, but with More Parts Per Million they've created a bracing, charming debut.
  4. Q Magazine
    70
    They've still managed to convert their technological shortcomings into some fuzzed-out, genuinely energised rocking. [Jul 2003, p.113]
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  5. Alternative Press
    70
    The sound is a little too consistent, as every spastic outburst starts to sound like the last midway through the album. [Apr 2003, p.86]
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  6. Splendid
    70
    All of the tunes are energetic, but their similarity will definitely become apparent by the time you reach the album's end.
  7. ShakingThrough.net
    60
    While the results aren’t exactly groundbreaking, they're undeniably loose, spirited and just plain fun.

See all 12 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. JeremyL
    Mar 18, 2003
    10
    It may often be unfair to rate the album based on live performances, but in this situation I have no choice. This is a dance record if there It may often be unfair to rate the album based on live performances, but in this situation I have no choice. This is a dance record if there ever was one, and bouncing around to "It's Trivia" or "No Culture Icons" at a show is akin to the joy I felt in the early days of teendom. Buy this cd, see this band.… Expand
  2. Tuh
    Mar 22, 2003
    9
    This is a great album, even though the songs are all very similar. I especially like the title song.
  4. ShaneL
    Apr 12, 2003
    8
    Despite the over-consistency, it does not drown itself. This is one those records that makes you smile just listening to it.