Most say the third time is the charm, but The Weepies prove that the fourth time around can be equally charming with Be My Thrill, their fourth record that finds The Weepies at their absolute best. The band, whose folk-pop sound first materialized in 2003, consists of the Los Angeles husband-and-wife duo Deb Talan and Steve Tannen. This is the first album they have written as parents, and with repetitive, reassuring lyrics that pervade the album much like a lullaby, it is easy to tell.
While the coffeehouse genre is nothing new for this group, the whole album is memorable, from the warthog on the cover to the passionate vibe felt in every song. Full of bubbly pop-folk gems like ""When You Go Away"" and ""How Do You Get High,"" The Weepies showcase their ability to write terrificly catchy songs. Yet, there are also tracks with deep lyrical content concerning love, life, and everything in between, making Be My Thrill a quintessential feel good album that will never get old.
The title track, ""Be My Thrill,"" is pure indie magic. The lyrics and melody are as catchy as a Miley Cyrus jam--without the techno or insincerity. Combining tambourines and guitar, ""Be My Thrill"" is an upbeat and heartfelt love song, which is a very rare find on any album. The Weepies also evoke some classic Woodstock sounds with the song ""I Was Made For Sunny Days"". Inspired by the couple's young child, the song sounds like a modern day version of ""You Are My Sunshine.""
Straying from the cheerfulness, ""Please Speak Well of Me"", strikes a chord with those of us who have regrets. The chorus, ""don't say words you don't mean, but when I'm gone please speak well of me"" speaks to the honorable legacy most everyone wants to leave when they die. Light hand claps and acoustic guitar create a whimsical melody to support the meaningful lyrics in the song. The tone and acoustic nature calls to mind Paramore's hit single ""The Only Exception.""
The hard-hitting rhythm and simple lyrics of ""How Do You Get High"" make for a great head-bobber, perfect for a campfire or a road trip. Yet, the electric guitar and drums give it an extra edge—I can already hear it being played at Urban Outfitters. ""When You Go Away"" is a love song in ballad form, and the guy/girl harmony really shines through during the chorus. The cutesy tune with lyrics like ""no relief from gray skies, when you go away"" are sure to make listeners fall in love with this song.
The only black sheep of the album is ""Add My Effort,"" a song that sounds far too much like Ryan Cabrera to be taken seriously. Also, the lyrics, ""I'm gonna add my effort to you, don't take it away"" are slightly awkward, and certainly should never be repeated as much as they are in this song.
Overall, this album is brilliant, and the only room for improvement on the album would be a couple songs longer than three minutes. Take heed though, this is not an album for the bitter. The overwhelming amount of mushy folk-pop songs could be way too sugary for select listeners going through a break-up, Debbie downers or just plain hardasses. But for those with a sweet tooth, The Weepies' latest is an absolute treat.
