What makes So Much for the City by The Thrills notable?

The album debuted at number one on the Irish Albums Chart and reached the top ten in the UK, marking a significant commercial success. It received positive reviews from major publications, establishing The Thrills as key players in the indie rock revival of the early 2000s. So Much for the City was The Thrills' debut album, released in January 2003. At this point, the band had gained attention for their unique sound that combined indie rock with influences from California pop, positioning them as fresh voices in the early 2000s music scene.

How many songs are on So Much for the City?

So Much for the City has 11 tracks, running approximately 46 minutes.

So Much for the City

The Thrills · 2003

46 min · 11 tracks · indie rock

A sun-soaked blend of jangly guitars and lush harmonies evokes nostalgic Americana through an Irish lens.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Santa Cruz (You’re Not That Far) — This track encapsulates the album's breezy vibe with its infectious melody and storytelling about longing for a place that feels familiar yet distant.
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One Horse Town — The song's poignant lyrics reflect on feelings of stagnation and nostalgia, showcasing the band's lyrical depth and ability to evoke imagery of small-town life.
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'Til the Tide Creeps In / Plans — A sweeping closer that combines reflective lyrics with dynamic instrumentation, it highlights the band's range while leaving listeners with a sense of unresolved longing.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

53 /100

Foothills

Higher than 40% of albums we've rated

The album blends jangly guitars and harmonies, creating a cohesive yet familiar indie rock sound.

What we noticed

The album opens with a bright, jangly guitar riff in 'Santa Cruz (You’re Not That Far)', setting a sun-soaked tone that persists throughout.
Tracks frequently feature layered vocal harmonies, particularly in 'Big Sur' and 'Deckchairs and Cigarettes', enhancing the nostalgic feel.
Several songs incorporate a narrative structure, such as 'One Horse Town' and 'Just Travelling Through', which evoke vivid imagery and storytelling.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Santa Cruz (You’re Not That Far) 4:13
2 Big Sur 3:07
3 Don’t Steal Our Sun 2:50
4 Deckchairs and Cigarettes 4:58
5 One Horse Town 3:14
6 Old Friends, New Lovers 4:01
7 Say It Ain’t So 2:44
8 Hollywood Kids 5:33
9 Just Travelling Through 3:21
10 Your Love Is Like Las Vegas 2:23
11 'Til the Tide Creeps In / Plans 10:06

What to play next

Listen next

Let's Bottle Bohemia

2004

Go back to

Santa Cruz (You're Not That Far)

2002

Full The Thrills discography Artists like The Thrills

indie rock

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata