Portland Punk/Indie-Rock group The Thermals have made a quick return to the musical fold with The Body, The Blood, The Machine; their follow-up to 2004's stellar (and stellarly titled) Fuckin A. A lot has happened in such a short amount of time since we last heard from these Oregonians. Founding drummer Jordan Hudson has left the group, leaving just Kathy Foster and lead singer Hutch Harris to their own devices. Also Death Cab For Cutie guitarist Chris Walla has departed as producer opening the door for Fugazi drummer Brendan Canty to keep The Thermals temperature up.

You'd think that with only Foster and Harris forging ahead with one of Punk's forefathers that The Body would be The Thermals most Punky release to date, but surprisingly it's not. Actually, it's more Indie-Rock oriented than previous Thermals records. Musically this one smacks of the more Pop oriented Guided By Voices material and recent Ted Leo & The Pharmacists (the latter of which Canty has also had a hand in).

However kinder and gentler the music may be, the lyrical subject matter is a different story altogether. If you couldn't tell just by the cover art alone, Hutch Harris has a bone to pick with Christianity. Not only that, but our current Presidential administration and the Christ-like figures they posture themselves as. Lead track "Here's Your Future" shows Harris' cynical side, suggesting that God has already pre-ordained everything we do in life and that free will does not actually exist. "I Might Need You To Kill" is Harris' answer to hypocrites that kill in the name of God and country, though they forget about…wait…what was that commandment again? Something about thou shall not…uh, hmmm…oh forget about it. The Body, The Blood, The Machine is chalk full of those kinds of moments and more or less feels like Harris getting cathartic weight off of his chest. Depending on your views, you may love or loathe this album. Personally, the music, hard-edged melody, and sheer passion being unleashed is what makes me revel in it; I could care less what their idealogical bent is. I just don't foresee the Ned Flanders' of the world embracing this record anytime soon however.