Beggars Review

Released: Aug 11, 2009
Genre: Experimental Rock
Label: Vagrant
Number Of Tracks: 10
‘Beggars’ doesn’t quite match up when put alongside Thrice’s other work in terms of large-scale majesty, but can’t find that excellence from another source.

Sound:	7.8
Lyrics:	8.5
Impression:	8.5
Overall rating:	8.9
Reviewer rating:	8.3
Users rating:	9.5
Votes:	83

overall: 7

Featured review by: UG Team, on august 11, 2009

Sound: Thrice are an evolutionary band, one who probably couldn’t repeat an album if they tried, so I’ll begin with a disclaimer: change is easy to accept with Thrice but it takes a significant amount of time for their music to expand and blossom in your mind. You may remember my unending praise for their last work, ‘The Alchemy Index’ (though I am clearly “not a Thrice fan� for giving their live album a 6.5/10, thanks guys), but something about the hurriedly-released new effort ‘Beggars’ didn’t rub me the right way on the first listen. It seemed to have taken the ‘mature’ route one step too far at the expense of the sort of large-scale majesty fans are used to hearing, and ended up as the sort of music that is far more fun to play than it is to listen to. Of course, digging deeper is a necessity if you are to find out where a new Thrice album fits alongside their others, and this time you might have to trade your shovel for something a little more substantial; not for the hunting of hidden treasures as was the case with ‘Vheissu’ or ‘The Alchemy Index’, but to find what gives the album a place amongst those hallowed halls.

Through their ever-appreciated studio blogs and videos, the band gave fans some ideas in advance of what the album might sound like by saying they were trying to give ‘Beggars’ a more energetic, heavy sound after the ‘sleepy’ feel of the last two albums. Nobody could be blamed for interpreting this as a way of saying it would be a ‘return to roots’ album, but ‘The Illusion Of Safety’ Pt. 2 this is not. In fact, in places it’s just as mellow as any of their other recent albums, if not more so. The difference is mostly made by drummer Riley Breckenridge who pins down the clean guitars and whimsical vocals with distinctive beats which perhaps try a little too hard to put snare hits in unconventional places. These tracks carry the feel of a rock n roll recording themselves through the transparent and unglamorous production, but the heavier, faster songs put that across musically too; ‘Talking Through Glass’ and ‘All The World Is Mad’ have been gritted with the salt of the blues but immediately the mind begins sketching links to ‘The Artist In The Ambulance’ in their sense of urgency.

Despite the band-in-practice-space method of songwriting, the guitar work in particular sounds almost like the ‘Earth’ disc would have if it had been written for the standard rock band. On the topic of the ‘rock band’, the organic sound of the album can also be attributed to the surprising absence of instruments outside of that setup; there’s minimal tinkering outside of the occasional keyboard or shaker and that keeps proceedings simple, as was the intention. // 7

Lyrics and Singing: The highly self-contained nature of ‘The Alchemy Index’ wiped Thrice’s musical and lyrical slates clean in terms of what might come next, but the restrictions of the four elements helped Dustin Kensrue write some deeply moving and beautifully written lyrics and his total freedom this time has left the lyrics somewhat mundane in comparison. The August 11th release date is a response to a leak and is only for the digital version, so there are no pages from which Dustin’s words can spring, but even when listening lines and phrases don’t often jump out of the track, ‘Circles’ being a fine exception. Maybe it’s the dull artwork, but the majority of the songs don’t strike me as being particularly appealing in a literary way, and that limits how well the songs’ messages can really be heard and understood. Those messages vary from the stockpiled (‘All The World Is Mad’, ‘Doublespeak’) to the fresh and compelling (‘Beggars’, ‘Circles’) but as always Kensrue’s natural linguistic flair means everything works nicely so the best ideas are written out to their fullest and the least inspiring topics are always worth listening to, at least.

The biggest surprise about ‘Beggars’ in the vocal department is the fact that it is the first Thrice album ever to feature absolutely no screaming whatsoever. That influence can be heard in the growly inflection on songs like ‘At The Last’ but unfortunately the music just doesn’t call for his domineering roars as it never reaches that level of intensity. Most of Kensrue’s singing is in part an extension of his performances on the ‘Earth’ disc and his solo folk album, ‘Please Come Home’ and this compliments the guitar parts of Teppei Teranishi and Kensrue himself excellently. Sadly, not all of the softer songs on the album have been given strong and memorable melodies which leaves them as indicators only of their potential, and not their perfection. // 7

Impression: The term ‘thinking man’s music’ is the sort which is generally seen to be positive as egos can flourish under the guise of the ‘thinking man’, but in this case the term applies in a different way. It’s a good album to take in and analyse, but cannot just be put on and felt from start to finish as an experience. Highlights like ‘The Weight’ and ‘In Exile’ are truly wonderful but some of the other songs are a little too dreary to keep things interesting and collectively don’t have enough impetus to flesh out the whole album.

Since that first listen my view of the album has been through many different stages, I’ve dug into each corner and every aspect of the sound and I’ve searched for a full understanding which puts ‘Beggars’ up there with the band’s best work but it hasn’t been found yet. Hopefully in time things will begin to unfold but the truth of this record can’t be that far-removed from its face value; a good album, for what it is, which has some great songs but is ultimately a disappointment. // 7

- Duncan Geddes aka duncang (c) 2013

overall: 8.3

Reviewed by: Oneirogenic, on august 17, 2009

Sound: With each new release Thrice manage evolve their sound in unique ways attempting to please no one but themselves. With their previous release the 4 disc epic "The Alchemy Index" they found a way to split the many facets of their sound they started developing with "Vheissu" into 4 very stylistically different EPs. After branching out into so many directions you would think they would go for topping themselves by making the most progressive and experimental album they have done so far. I was picturing "Vheissu" kicked up several notches. Thrice took an unexpected left turn with Beggars. This is by no means a bad thing. Whereas "The Alchemy Index" songs were built from the ground up piece by piece often with the help of a laptop and often strayed away from the traditional "rock band" sound, "Beggars" is clearly a product of pure chemistry from a band that has played together for many years just getting together and jamming out. As a result "Beggars" is far more raw and straight forward but there are definitely little tidbits of the tricks they learned putting together "Vheissu" and "The Alchemy Index". One noticeable difference is that the roaring rhythm section of Ed and Riley Breckenridge is no longer as understated as they were on many of The Alchemy Index songs. They are loud and aggressive on this album but more in a groove oriented sort of way than a heavy sort of way. Dustin and Teppei's guitars seem a bit understated in terms of technical prowess albeit loud and gritty sounding in many areas. They seem to have gone for a more soulful feel. Teppei's keyboard work is prominently featured in a few tracks but overall many of the unique sounds and instruments used in the past are absent. This really contributes to the rock band feel of this album. Key words when describing the sound and feel of this album would be "groove" and "soul". // 8

Lyrics and Singing: Dustin Kensrue never fails to deliver with his vocals and lyrics. Vocally he seems to have taken a lot from the style he has developed from his solo efforts and the Earth Disc. A big change from past Thrice records is the absence of screaming. There is plenty of his well pitched yelling and even more of his soulful croons and softer singing. Lyrically "Beggars" is also a departure from previous albums. Rather the many literary references and somewhat cryptic religiously tinged lyrics he has done in the past he opts for more of a storytelling perspective. He sings from the perspectives of dying man realizing he wasted his life (At The Last), a wandering homeless man (In Exile), a man on deathrow (Wood and Wire), to criticisms of humanity's foolishness and evil (All the World is Mad, Circles, Beggars). Kensrue is definitely good at finding some sort of theme to link the songs together for each Thrice album. "Beggars" may not have the usual intellectual head games but the lyrics are great nonetheless. // 9

Impression: Beggars may not have the huge grandiose sound Thrice has had on their latest albums but it still stands strong amongst the rest of their discography. Obviously anyone hoping for a return to the Illusion of Safety and Artist in the Ambulance days is going to be disappointed but I think many agree that with music and great bands evolution is better than stagnation. Thrice may have gone in an unexpected direction but they did it well and with amazing musicianship and humbleness. In the end Thrice have left themselves in a good spot after releasing this record. They can continue to do whatever they want in future efforts and it won't be so shocking or unexpected. Just hope they continue to use the good judgment they have used thus far. // 8

Reviewed by: unregistered, on october 08, 2009

Sound: The sound of the album is eerie and very melodic. Which I enjoyed tremendously. Sure Thrice has changed their overall sound but not to the extent to where they're an unlistenable band. I got into Thrice around the time Vhiessu came out and my liking for them has grown more and more after every album I've bought. Dustin Kensrue has to be one of my favorite vocalists, he really has this voice that just draws you in, especially in "Wood And Wire". As soon as I heard him sing the first verse I got the chills. I think "Beggars" is one of the best songs to end an album. It had me playing the album over and over. // 9

Lyrics and Singing: Dustin Kensrue has always had amazing lyrics that just tell a story and draw you into the song and I don't know how he does it. He is a gifted lyricist and singer, the album doesn't have as much screaming as previous albums(for example "The Illusion Of Safety" or "The Artist In The Ambulance")but I don't see that as a bad thing, it really just shows more of Dustin's vocal range. Lyrics that I find were the best from the album were "Beggars","In Exile","Circles", Wood And Wire", The Weight", and "Doublespeak". When Dustin sings the line "If there's one thing I know, in this life, We Are Beggars All" I can't help but get goosebumps, and if just someone's voice can do that, Wow, what a vocalist. // 10

Impression: One day I played all Thrice Albums From "New" to "Old" and I saw a major difference but in a good way. Thrice have managed to make every album different from the previous, which I admire most about the band.I'm not one of those music listeners that complain about bands changing their sound because in the end it's the same band they just are trying new things. Yes, I'll admit some bands end up just getting worse once they change their sound but someone ends up liking it right? And that's what makes us different and able to express our opinion. Now before I get all off subject I'll conclude my review.If I lost this album I'd definitely buy the album again, no doubt about it. // 10

overall: 8

Reviewed by: kungfuwikawika, on september 25, 2009

Sound: The overall aesthetic aspect of this album is more of a progression from The Alchemy Index's earth disc, but with electric guitars and more raw feeling I believe. The guitars aren't always screaming in your ear this time around for this new release as some expected, and truth be told, it's not a bad thing at all.

Dustin and Teppei manage to create guitar work that both complements the new direction, and manage to maintain a certain type of Thrice feel.

Eddie (bass) plays the bass in a very unique way in this album. The presence of the bass is well known throughout the songs. Especially in the first 6 tracks. It seems to play as it's own instrument and not so much with the drums like most bands do.

Riley's drumming is very present and throws in beats that catch you both in rhythm, and style. Seeing as it's the only percussion instrument on the cd, he manages to play in a clean and catchy way. There is some odd timings on the CD but it's nothing to fret about. // 7

Lyrics and Singing: As always Dustin is a very articulate and intelligent person. The lyrics on this album tell their own separate stories. Although upon first listen most people will say this album lacks intensity and just because we don't hear his voice screaming at you, it's no reason to think intensity is lacking. Once you give this CD more than 3 or 4 listens you'll soon understand this CD shines because the songs all get you thinking individually about their specific theme and topic.

The style of vocals on most songs compliments the music very well I think. It never feels like Dustin should be softly singing instead of singing his heart out etc.

It's done and it grasps your ears and it lets you know the feeling of the song and it transcends your mind and gets you to feel the song for what it is really, and not just for the sound it makes. // 8

Impression: As a Thrice fan I know not to expect the same thing from any album they put out and this album was no exception. It came out, and it delivered a new experience just as I expected. So this album fits perfectly with all their albums in chronological order. You'll know when you hear it.

This album has some excellent tracks, my favorites are, The Weight, Talking Through Glass/We Move Like Swing Sets, The World Is Mad, At The Last and Beggars. (I Know that's like half the album too.)

The thing with Thrice is that they always come out with a new sound on their albums and there is always something to expect and it's great because you learn to love it and accept it. Maybe even let it open the door to different styles. This cd is very "Soulful" and Blue's-like in certain aspects and yet maintains that trademark Thrice sound.

This is an album I think that really speaks to a broader audience in terms of music and it's good, I think a lot of people should pick it up, or borrow it from a friend. I hope that if you do, you learn to love it as much as I have. // 9

Comments

[ratracekid111]

your "clearly not a thrice fan" because you abused the album leak instead of waiting for it to be officially released and buying a real copy

[ratracekid111]

ratracekid111 wrote:

your "clearly not a thrice fan" because you abused the album leak instead of waiting for it to be officially released and buying a real copy

i apologize, i didnt know they changed the release date. kudos on a speedy review

[RikkiTikkiTavi]

they always evolving. it doesnt hit u at first, but it is a well crafted album. and im glad they bring out an album almost every year, its not like we've been waiting 3 years for this.

[pwninator123]

It's digital release only, until September 15th, cuz some fool had to leak it. Physical release has 5 bonus tracks though XD and a cover of Helter Skelter by The Beatles

[loxer]

I'd say this is the best album Thrice has released so far.

[axlanian]

I completely agree with this review. It's kind of sad, I wanted it to be SO great, but... meh.

[lllostmotelll]

tl;dr alert

The way this review was written makes it seem like the reviewer only listened to the album once or twice maybe before writing. Here's my opinion:

Sure, some music takes a single listen and you are able to convey your opinion, however, others take a few listens to really paint a picture that a listener can be ready to grasp.

I listened to the leak, I'll admit, and despite the Vagrant Records voice-over on ever track, I was still able to enjoy the album for what it was, until I ultimately removed it from my hard drive so I can listen to it how it was meant to be listened to.

Upon listening for the first time, though, I didn't know what to think. I thought "okay, this is different. Not bad at all." The second time I listened to it, I thought something completely different than what I thought at first. It was more of a "Wow, this really shows me Thrice is on the right track. Very good album". Third, fourth, fifth time through, I changed my opinion every time, until I finally came to this consensus:

"This is not Thrice's best work by any means, but this is a damn good album, and is far better than a lot of shit being put out as an excuse for music right now."

Because let's face it, when you heard "The Illusion Of Safety" for the first time, you probably thought "holy shit, this is a damn good record. They better stay on this course."

But they didn't, did they? They got heavier. They released "The Artist In The Ambulance" and got heavier, and in my opinion, even better.

Then came "Vheissu", which included my departure of my attention to the band for a while. Their songs from that album didn't grasp me enough at the time of my need for really really heavy music.

Thankfully I came to my senses when I started to expand my musical horizons, and at a Brand New headliner, Thrice was supporting, and turned my attention back to them. It was my first Thrice show, and upon leaving, I knew it wouldn't be my last.

I got the entire Alchemy Index and loved it. So different, yet so amazing. Songwriting at its finest.

So when I turn to "Beggars" again, I look at the road that started with "The Illusion Of Safety" for me. I look at the music they created back then, and I look at the music they are releasing today, and I know for a fact I could fool someone who has never listened to Thrice by playing a track from each album and ask them if they thought it was the same band.

I'm sure they'd say "no". But isn't that one of the best things about Thrice? They can take a completely alternate and conflicting route with their music than most artists would ever be willing to take, yet still keep fans like me. Fans who can honestly say that they aren't any less impressed by this album than they were when they first heard Thrice.

[Co&Ca11]

I love this album, one of the best things about Thrice is that they are constantly changing and evolving.

[Tedward]

none of their albums will ever match up to Vheissu.

[duncang]

lllostmotelll, you pretty much paraphrased my review. The only difference is you liked the album more than I did.

[jonathanonfire]

i second mr duncang.

[Blanco]

In my opinion The artist in the ambulance was the best album, identity and illusion are both amazing albums but they just didnt quite flow as well as artist. Dont get me wrong the other albums are all good but i dont think they stand up to them 3. Real fans stand by thrice but are all still attracted by the heavy hitting songs more than the new stuff.

[-tempest-]

im gunna wait and buy the hardcopy of the cd before i make any judgements.

[Unourrit01]

downloading leaked music is completely okay as long as you buy the cd when it comes out.

[pigmaggots]

ratracekid111 wrote:

your "clearly not a thrice fan" because you abused the album leak instead of waiting for it to be officially released and buying a real copy

what a joke. he's not a thrice fan if he downloads it then doesn't go buy it but maybe he's like me...so excited that he just can't wait.

[kanevaughn]

ok for those who agree with this review or do not like this album are not thrice fans. Ive been listening to thrice since First Impressions and their music has gotten better every album. They have not put out a disappointing album ever, even dusins 2 albums(Please come home, Ursus Veritas) were great. even though ursus veritus was just an acoustic show to promote please come home. But like one guy said above me, you cant listen to it once then make a decision. Thats how alot of their albums are. and you say that they shouldve stayed on the same track with Illusion, then your dumb. Im sorry but they have made better. They experiment with their music every album because if they put out an album just like Illusion every year it would be disappointing and it would start to get boring. I love every one of there albums. Thrice is one of my favorite bands and from what i heard of this new album, its going to be just as good as their other stuff

[korbhag]

I'll admit it's not an album you can listen to from start to finish, but any of those songs would fit quite well in a Thrice playlist with sings off every other album. And that is exactly what they were aiming for, since the felt they needed softer songs for their live setlists.

[Gakusey]

Loving the album! Great stuff!

[Jalopy1919]

Tedward wrote:

none of their albums will ever match up to Vheissu.

[Jalopy1919]

meant to add +1

[kid jesus]

not my favorite thrice record ever, but a damn good one.

and i really wish people would shut up with all the 'you're not a true thrice fan' bullshit.

[airognolwehttam]

This review is stupid, Thrice has always made great records and this is, in my opinion, if not the best one of the best records they've released. Dustins voice is awesome and the instruments may not be the hardest things to play but they're still good.

[TheReverend724]

i think this is way better than a 7, probably an 8.5
great record, but not as magnificent as Vheissu

[oth_17]

this album is nonsense. just like alchemy and vheissu. this non screaming/experimental garbage just doesnt do it for me. this type of music isnt what caught my ear and got me interested in them. i dont understand this unbreakable allegiance that some people have with bands. the truth of the matter is that bands do change and when they want to "evolve", they should change their name to something else and start over. its misleading. your gonna tell me that their artist in the ambulance album is worse than alchemy and beggars? no its not, its uber awesome. afi did it with december underground, atreyu did it with that last piece of trash they released, and trivium did it with the crusade. therre are countless other bands that have "evolved" into garbage. if i wanted to hear garbage like this id listen to three o three!

[the boogieman]

oth_17 wrote:

this album is nonsense. just like alchemy and vheissu. this non screaming/experimental garbage just doesnt do it for me. this type of music isnt what caught my ear and got me interested in them. i dont understand this unbreakable allegiance that some people have with bands. the truth of the matter is that bands do change and when they want to "evolve", they should change their name to something else and start over. its misleading. your gonna tell me that their artist in the ambulance album is worse than alchemy and beggars? no its not, its uber awesome. afi did it with december underground, atreyu did it with that last piece of trash they released, and trivium did it with the crusade. therre are countless other bands that have "evolved" into garbage. if i wanted to hear garbage like this id listen to three o three!

sums up my thoughts as well

with the except i kinda dug vheissu

but yea, old thrice or gtfo

[turbo474]

You guys must hear something in Vheissu that I don't, because if I were to rank the Thrice albums, Vheissu would be at the bottom, no questions asked.

[Macabre Lullaby]

oth_17 wrote:

this album is nonsense. just like alchemy and vheissu. this non screaming/experimental garbage just doesnt do it for me. this type of music isnt what caught my ear and got me interested in them. i dont understand this unbreakable allegiance that some people have with bands. the truth of the matter is that bands do change and when they want to "evolve", they should change their name to something else and start over. its misleading. your gonna tell me that their artist in the ambulance album is worse than alchemy and beggars? no its not, its uber awesome. afi did it with december underground, atreyu did it with that last piece of trash they released, and trivium did it with the crusade. therre are countless other bands that have "evolved" into garbage. if i wanted to hear garbage like this id listen to three o three!

Okay, even if I don't share your opinion, I was at least following it up until the 3OH!3 comparison. Seriously. Where'd that even come from?
I think it's a shame when people think a band have to be married to a certain kind of sound. "Evolution" of a band isn't really something that they just one day up and decide to do, it's a natural progression. Some people just can't do the same thing for years and years on end without getting tired of it, and I don't blame them.
In a band's formative years they're just making music that they love and want to perform at that point in time, not creating a set-in-stone blueprint for the rest of their career. Art just doesn't work that way.
And as for all the "true fan" talk people are throwing around, I that's completely unjustified. If someone loves a certain phase of a band's career SO much that they can't accept a change, can anyone really say that they don't like them as much? Fans of music, and people in general, come in all different types, and you can't honestly expect everyone to love a band the exact same way.
Here's how I like to look at it: If a band releases new material that people think is "shitty", it doesn't make their old material any worse. So just listen to the old stuff, the stuff you like. If you're bored enough of it that you feel you HAVE to rely on new material (which let you down), then it can't really have been that great.

And...that's my rant. I didn't really intend to go on that much. XD

Anyway, I'm gonna hold out for the physical release before I give this one a listen. I'm sure I'll like it though. I like most things. I'm not really critical enough, but at least that way I almost always end up happy.

[Shakalum]

It's time for them to pick a sound.

[IRFLAMZEZ]

Firebreather rawest song ever. Might give this one a listen

[IRFLAMZEZ]

Firebreather, rawest song ever! Might give this one a listen on account of that

[IRFLAMZEZ]

Triple post my bad

[ratmblink123]

Shakalum wrote:

It's time for them to pick a sound.

Agreed.
Haven't listened to the album, just the previews on iTunes, but I miss the old stuff...

[jmh886]

oth_17 wrote:

this album is nonsense. just like alchemy and vheissu. this non screaming/experimental garbage just doesnt do it for me. this type of music isnt what caught my ear and got me interested in them. i dont understand this unbreakable allegiance that some people have with bands. the truth of the matter is that bands do change and when they want to "evolve", they should change their name to something else and start over. its misleading. your gonna tell me that their artist in the ambulance album is worse than alchemy and beggars? no its not, its uber awesome. afi did it with december underground, atreyu did it with that last piece of trash they released, and trivium did it with the crusade. therre are countless other bands that have "evolved" into garbage. if i wanted to hear garbage like this id listen to three o three!

got i hate fans like you. "Non screaming/experimental garbage"? So good music has to include screaming and has to sound like everything else. Why the hell would a band change its name just because some douche only like their old stuff? Theyre still the same musicians playing together for the same purpose. The only time a band should change its name is if the entire members change. How many bands have had the same sound their entire career and been successful? Not many. And if they do it gets pretty old and uncreative after a while. Open your mind and listen to more music. I dont think this is Thrice's best work, but its damn good.

[Nybb]

Wow, how can people say that their older stuff was better? It's catchy and fun for a while but it gets old fast and it all kind of blends into itself. It was really quite generic. It used the cookie cutters really well, but it still used them.

Thrice from Vheissu onwards has just been getting more and more amazing. Their music has been maturing, to point where there is now so much depth in each and every song, and something that actually stands out from the crowd.

Beggars, like their other albums since Vheissu, just keeps growing on me the more I listen to it. Which is a lot, because it is a damn good album. It is so raw and honest, with great lyrics and also the sound is surprisingly good for how stripped down it is. The lack of overproduction makes it feel like the band is there playing in front of you.

[uberphreak]

Nybb wrote:

Wow, how can people say that their older stuff was better? It's catchy and fun for a while but it gets old fast and it all kind of blends into itself. It was really quite generic. It used the cookie cutters really well, but it still used them.

Thrice from Vheissu onwards has just been getting more and more amazing. Their music has been maturing, to point where there is now so much depth in each and every song, and something that actually stands out from the crowd.

Beggars, like their other albums since Vheissu, just keeps growing on me the more I listen to it. Which is a lot, because it is a damn good album. It is so raw and honest, with great lyrics and also the sound is surprisingly good for how stripped down it is. The lack of overproduction makes it feel like the band is there playing in front of you.

I agree completely. Their old stuff is done well but it had been done before. Vheissu is a goddamned masterpiece as far as I'm concerned, and everything since has been pretty superb. I have yet to hear the new one but I'm excited.

[uberphreak]

And sorry for the double post, but all of you trying to define what a "real fan" is, gtfo. Seriously, who are you to judge? Some people like the old stuff which is fine, some people like the new stuff which is fine, and some people like it all, which is the category I belong to. I, personally, like the new stuff a BIT more just because of how unique and epic it is. I enjoy when a band moves forward and tries different things with their sound rather than putting out album after album of the same thing. Some bands pull it off well by changing styles but not sound (such as Lamb of God) but a lot of bands end up getting boring and samey.

[ibanez949]

You know, I wonder what would've happened if the Beatles never changed their sound and kept with the poppy 50's music, or if Michael Jackson never left the Jackson 5, or if Beethoven kept writing in the classical tradition, or if Pink Floyd didn't go from trippy soundscapes to structured rock tunes...

Change the name of the band? I bet you got picked on in high school...

[THEAK47]

I completely agree with the earlier post about Illusion of Safety. It has some really good songs like Deadbolt and Kill Me Quickly, but ultimately it sounded like a lot of hardcore bands out there and didn't have much substance. With every album that comes out from these guys I get more and more amazed that they used to sound the way they used to. I give them a lot of respect because while what they do is not exactly popular in the eyes of all their fans, but the musicianship from these guys from album to album seems to constantly grow and I wonder when it will ever peak.

[duncang]

Checked.

[lllostmotelll]

I'm going to comment again in retort to those who think that Thrice needs to stick to one sound:

Music is not like marriage (as someone said above). You don't have to be faithful to your sound from record to record. I probably wouldn't still be a fan of literally every band I still listen to if they continued to release records that had the overall same sound. It doesn't make sense for an artist to do that.

The best thing about Thrice is that they continue to surprise me with the increased amount of depth they can put into music. You can say that Beggars sounds a little flat compared to their other music, but I will strongly disagree with you. Music doesn't have to be loud or filled with noise all over the place in order to have substance. To me, Beggars has more substance in each track alone than most music out there nowadays, and that is comparative to the genre they were lumped into during The Artist and the Ambulance era.

To paraphrase: some bands never change. I'm thankful Thrice does. Their music evolves, and so does my opinion of them (for the better).

[TheReverend724]

^ i couldnt agree more

that is why i love thrice, and every album they've ever put out

[kperry913]

This album is ridiculous. Thrice hasn't had a good album since The Artist in the Ambulance. Vheissu was a joke. I threw away The Alchemy Index and I wouldn't accept Beggars if someone tried to give it to me. It's just depressing to see a band go down this road. This band is proving to be inconsistent from making amazing songs like Ultra Blue, Phoenix Ignition, and In Years to come to the garbage that they've been putting out. They are abandoning their punk roots for this experimental crap.

[oth_17]

basically you all think anything thrice does is good. they could play a song with one note for five minutes and you would call it amazing and their best work yet. you dont have to like everything they do just because its thrice. im not saying a band cant change a little bit but the drastic changes that they have made make them a completely different band. when they come out with a rap album will you say the same thing....wait thats ridiculous right? progression has its limits. OH AND IBANEZ949 YOU PROBABLY LOOK LIKE THE FAT SLOB ON THE WORLD OF WARCRAFT EPISODE OF SOUTH PARK.

[Thriced]

love thrice's new album.. they deserve alot of respect for it... don't really like this review but.... not everyone likes the same things... and it wont change any thrice fans opinion on their music so it doesnt really matter.

give the album a few more listens hey?

[sbinlb]

i like the new album but dont really get the thrice feel to it, but it is still very good even if it is like im listening to a different band.

[Epoch777]

Did oth_17 just say 'Progression has its limits'?

I think we found our village idiot.

[FarFromDead]

hmm, I first discovered Thrice when artist came out, I loved that album to the point where I played it soo much that I couldnt listen to it for about a year lol. Then It got me interested in the older stuff, Illusion of safety and identity crisis... Both incredible. Then vheissu came about, at first it rubbed me the wrong way, but in time it really grew on me I was a huge thrice fan. When alchemy index came out, I was confused, to this day I still cannot get into that album. Musically its good, but its such a boring listen it often puts me to sleep. Im excited about this release, not all music needs screaming to be good, and I like variety, but its hard to follow thrice when they are constantly changing. To some that is the best thing a band can do, but I think they need to stay within a range instead of bouncing so much. From what ive heard tho, im pretty excited about this one. They are great musicians whether anyone likes what they are doing or not.

[sabio]

I don't know why I am even getting involved in an internet argument, but I am going to. First of all I want to address parts of the review. While I do respect the writer's opinion and believe that he is entitled to say what he wants about the album, I disagree with several parts of it. The comment he said about Riley's drumming seems to be untrue. The author writer says that he puts snare hits in places that are trying to hard to be unconventional, but relative to past albums, The Artist in the Ambulance and Alchemy Index for example, the snares are fairly regular. For the most part the snare is hit primarily on the third beat and in drum fills, which are actually standard places to put a snare hit. I also have to disagree about Dustin's lyrics. The reviewer comments that the lyrics are not appealing in a "literary way" but my first impression was almost the exact opposite. I personally saw his lyrics more as poems set to music than lyrics. I know the difference seems negligible, but I feel that a lot of times musician will write lyrics because they fit the music well. This seems as if Dustin wrote some (incredible) poems and then the band crafted the music around those lyrics. Anyway, maybe just me. But check out the lyrics to All the World is Mad, for example. Take note of the meter and rhyme scheme. There are subtleties to it that you may not have caught. Look at how ("canned" and "hands") rhyme as well as ("greed" "deed") and ("again" "sin") and ("pits" "iniqu(ities)"). It isn't easy to write lyrics that have the meaning as well as the literary quality that Dustin's do on this album.

On to the old/new Thrice debate. How can you compare them? They are not the same at all. You can compare Illusion of Safety to Identity Crisis because they are the same style, genre, type of music. But to try and compare one of those albums to this one or Vheissu or TAI would be like comparing The Ramones to Bach. Thrice was incredible at the old post-hardcore and punk and they are incredible at the experimental rock. The two styles are great, but not the same. If you choose to limit yourself to only one or two genres, you will certainly miss out on a bunch of great music. Don't get duped into thinking that only one style of music can be good. Final note. The thing that I love about Thrice is that they didn't write this music to please you. They wrote the music because they love music and love expressing themselves through it, whether others like the way they do it or not.

I liked the album. There are songs that I as almost overwhelmed by and others that I didn't connect with as well, but I am definitely leaving my mind open for them to grow on me.

[sabio]

A quote I found from Teppei to support my statement:

It's always nice when people can listen to your music for what it is, without any expectations that they might want to impress upon your music. Often times, I think people have it backwards when it comes to listening to music. Maybe it's just cause I'm a musician, but music to me is someone else's art that they're sharing with me. Not something that was written in order to please me. It's the artist's creation, they're just sharing it with me. It doesn't matter one speck what I wanted the art to be or what I think it should be. It's not mine. There's an AMAZING photographer (maybe deceased now?) named W Eugene Smith, and I found a really sweet quote by him the other day:

"An artist must be ruthlessly selfish."

So true. If we don't write music for ourselves, then it's not real.

http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.p... 2&page=30

[sabio]

And one from Dustin as well:

Originally Posted by babyg703
After hearing bits and pieces of each song the first time I heard the new album, I was not sure if I liked it or not but then I just kept listening and listening and eventually couldn't stop. This album is AMAZING!!!

I was wonder...

With going in the direction you did for the Alchemy Index albums why you chose this route in not putting out another album with the hard sound that The Artist In The Ambulance has?
I'm glad that you gave it a chance. In my opinion, everyone should without final judgement on a record until you've heard it at least 10 times. Especially if it's from a band you already like.

http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.p... e=46

[sabio]

ahh my bad that was the question to which he responded:

As far as doing a record like Artist, it would have to be a very contrived effort, which we aren't interest in making and I doubt most people would be interested in hearing. That album came from the same place as this one did: our love for making music. It's never been about pleasing someone else and the minute it was this band would self-destruct and or start hating being in a band. I've seen it happen. It's not pretty.

I won't say we will never write a really heavy song again, but I will definitely say that we won't write a really heavy song because someone is asking us too. Honesty is our policy

[CaptnOats10101]

duuude, this album is ****ing sick, everything thrice does is sick, dustins vocals are the best part of this album

[Thriceisthebest]

Thrice is the best band alive so shut the bleep up already! serious, these four dudes are the best. so just shut up, buy the album whenever the bleep it comes out, and be thankful your ears have the pleasure to hear such amazing art... sad little 12 year old boys; that's what half of you sound like to me

[Thriceisthebest]

LOL the rest of you are awesome... I've only listened to this album twice but I think it's the best and it's probably going to be my favorite! I'm ****ing stoked ! I don't even think i finished reading this shitty review.
The UG Team are douches. LOL

[Cheesepuff]

I just heard it. It's ****ing awesome. It's as if Vheissu, Artist in the Ambulance, and the Earth EP had a 3 way and Beggars is the illegitimate lovechild.

[Cheesepuff]

oth_17 wrote:

this album is nonsense. just like alchemy and vheissu. this non screaming/experimental garbage just doesnt do it for me. this type of music isnt what caught my ear and got me interested in them. i dont understand this unbreakable allegiance that some people have with bands. the truth of the matter is that bands do change and when they want to "evolve", they should change their name to something else and start over. its misleading. your gonna tell me that their artist in the ambulance album is worse than alchemy and beggars? no its not, its uber awesome. afi did it with december underground, atreyu did it with that last piece of trash they released, and trivium did it with the crusade. therre are countless other bands that have "evolved" into garbage. if i wanted to hear garbage like this id listen to three o three!

Has any one of you little closed minded children ever heard of the BEATLES? Bands that evolve every album are great. It's called creativity. If they sounded the same every album, they would get repetitive and stale. Look at Metallica! And how dare you compare 3OH!3 to Thrice! You ignorant ****!

[Oneirogenic]

calm down children. dissent is what provokes interesting conversation. everyone is entitled to their own opinion even if it is uninformed, non-intelligent garbage.

[newjack]

I was just going to bring up the Metallica point but here I go with another one...

How have bands like Metallica and others been able to have a long career where they are still viable names in the music industry and not just a band who releases an under promoted album and goes on tour every summer just to play their old hits? Evolution.

Bands that do not branch out from a screaming-style vocal delivery and songwriting that stays deeply rooted in one genre or playing stle will NOT HAVE LONG CAREERS! They will fizzle out sometime in their 30's and would not be a band worth seeing for the full effect anymore. Avenged Sevenfold is a prime, more recent example . M. Shadows did not wanting to scream on albums anymore (though he still does so live, with much more technique)...so what did they do? They began writing songs that could compliment has legitimate vocal talents as not a screamer, but a singer.

Would Metallica be as enormous as they are today if they didn't release the Black album? IMO, the first real departure in sound that they had was on ...And Justice for All. Ride the Lightning and Master of Puppets to me were both very similar albums (check the track listings and listen to the songs...both albums use virtually the same formula and have the same flow). During touring for the Black album, James does damage to his vocal chords. Not willing to risk further damage, what did the band do? They played a different hand and explored more melodic and harmonic vocal delivery. Results? They gained much more than they lost.

Do any of you really think you will be listening to the same music you do now in your late teens-early 20's when you're in your 40's? 50's? As bands change, musical tastes change.

That is why I'm with Thrice all the way. While I appreciate the broad spectrum of their work, you would hear me listening to more of Vheissu and beyond as opposed to anything before. Granted I love everything they've made (except the majority of Identity Crisis)...the reason why I listen to bands like Mute Math, As Tall as Lions, The Dear Hunter, etc. is because of the way Thrice has progressed. LET IT CONTINUE!!!!!

[newjack]

p.s.... If you want screaming, go see Thrice live or listen to the older stuff. It doesn't matter because Dustin can still scream, better than ever before

[JChrist521]

@ duncang, i disagree with your take on the lyrics in this album. i don't think they seem rushed. although they may not be as poetic as those in the alchemy index, they still are far more meaningful than what most other modern bands write and i believe that thrice has evolved to a point where they can tell a story through the lyrics in a song, then finish the story off with an instrumental piece (circles, in exile, beggars...) where dustin uses his voice as an instrument rather than singing lyrics to convey a mood. he has always been able to use his voice to convey a mood but i think something clicked into place for him in this album. superb vocal performance

your (duncang) review is well thought out and written and i agree that in exile and the weight are standout tracks but i think you should give a couple of the mellower songs another chance. the vocals on tracks which seem lackluster at first (the great exchange, wood & wine) contain more harmony than a lot of thrice's work and while this seems like a compromise, because it probably is, these songs are more like mood pieces than exciting songs. i'll agree that i didn't like the mellower songs from this album until my fourth or fifth listen but i think this is a cohesive work that deserves more than a 7

[axeslinger0u812]

Soooo... Half of you want thrice to be godsmack, and release tge same album every other year, a fourth of you would like hearing them all spit on a microphone justbecause it's thrice, and a fourth of you are sane enough to have legitimate, honest opinions based on how the music feels to you.

Nice. I personally have no problems with the first review. It's about as unbiased as you can get. I really like thrice personally. First two albums and ep are great. Artist was awesome. Vheissu had some brilliant moments, and some so-so. I was slightly disappointed with fire. I liked maybe half of it, as I did with water. Really liked earth and air. And am gonna pick up beggars today. I liked a couple songs I heard on first listen, and didn't like a couple on first listen on their myspace.

That's my honest opinion. I've given up hoping for illusion and ambulance pt. 2, but can still enjoy some of their evolution. But I'm not going blindly follow everything they do. I have an open mind, but not everything they do isgoing to resonate with everyone, but the ability to have that open mind is important. And I think that is a what thrice would want.

[Relativiti]

this album is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. one of the best i've heard in my life. ties vheissu for my favorite album of all time.

[=McS=]

Being the Thrice fanboy that I am, I have to say this album blew me away. I honestly believe now that no matter what Thrice produces I will love it.

[GiveItAll]

Lol whoever didn't like alchemy is lame, I liked all their old stuff, disliked vhiessu, also disliked alchemy, but after my musical horizons broadened I LOVED alchemy, such a beautiful experimental record. Like my fav record, EVER.

Beggars I was dissapointed with because they left the experimental parts out for the most part, it felt like a more tightly strung together vhiessu. The whole album has this "groove" theme. Don't get me wrong I'm really getting into it, but that's because I'm doing repeated listens, if I listened to vhiessu this much I would probably love it 10x more.

So now, for me, its:

Alchemy
TAITA
Vhiessu/Beggars
The rest

[Mr Pringle]

The problem about thrice and their changing style is that the fans go ape shit about what album's genre it goes under and why it's better. I just listen to the albums and say what albums i like don't like but not shoving my opinion down people's throats.

[Cheesepuff]

they achieve more intensity than most of their work without the screaming, and with less riffs.

[amnon]

While trying to find the correct words for this album, I discovered myself not being able to explain what I really think about the album. I guess everyone feels a little different about it, but that makes it so big, so great, so masterpiece-like. Thanks.

[jazzster]

Blanco wrote:

In my opinion The artist in the ambulance was the best album, identity and illusion are both amazing albums but they just didnt quite flow as well as artist. Dont get me wrong the other albums are all good but i dont think they stand up to them 3. Real fans stand by thrice but are all still attracted by the heavy hitting songs more than the new stuff.

I don't think it is fair to qualify yourself as a "real" Thrice fan because you like their older albums. That is your opinion. Their stuff up through and including Artist is fun to listen to once in a while, but Thrice became one of my favorite bands since Vheissu. Before then, they were gettin lost in the crowd. Now they are such a dynamic band, constantly challenging themselves, and in turn the listener. Thrice's current direction is why I love them.