The Thrills: So Much for the City

By RUSSELL BAILLIE

(Herald rating: * * * *)

Usually it takes a couple of albums and endless tours for bands from outside the United States to start mythologising it in song. Not the Thrills. The Dublin band have done it on their debut.

Though it's hardly Rattle & Hum (the U2-discovers-America double album and film) but more sea and sun, or towel and togs. With song titles like Santa Cruz, Big Sur, Hollywood Kids and more references to Southern Californian place names than a souvenir tea-towel, this is the sound of a seriously sunstruck band.

Fortunately, it's also weirdly gorgeous with its pop-rock songs evoking those big skies and the gentler bits of its rock history (Beach Boys, Byrds, various country rockers) complete with lush harmonies, swooning strings, and jangle-happy arrangements. Geographically confused, but lovely all the same.

Label: Virgin