Thrice
The Alchemy Index Volumes III and IV
2008, Vagrant Records
alt rock, acoustic, folk
Thrice’s four volumes of The Alchemy Index are testaments to the depth of talent in this band. I doubt anyone else could have taken such a pretentious idea as music based on the elements of earth, air, fire, and water and created something this timeless. Thrice has managed to mix blues, electronica, pop, folk, acoustic, and post-hardcore so confidently and convincingly that their previous Vheissu seems like child play. Furthermore, the limitation of six songs per element seems to have forced the band to concentrate on their music. Not a single note is wasted, and not a lyric is frivolous.
Air is vying with Water for my favorite element in this series. Starting with “Broken Lungs,” Air features lead singer Dustin Kensrue’s harsh voice against an echoing, empty background. The production is minimal and poignant, allowing the lyrics to shine that much more. This is the typical ‘man-against-the-world’ fare that is twisted to sound more like ‘man-against-himself.’ Earth, on the other hand, lacks the open-aired echoes of Air. Each song sounds as though it were recorded in a windowless hole, and the blues-y lyrics and instrumentation only further that sentiment.
As a final plus, all four volumes are devoid of sappy love songs. That, if nothing else, should convince you that this is worth the buy.
“Come All You Weary,” “Digging My Own Grave,” “A Song For Milly Michaelson.”
myspace, last.fm
Thrice’s The Alchemy Index Vol. 1 & 2, The Receiving End of Sirens’ The Earth Sings Mi Fa Mi
Tags: air, earth, the alchemy index, the alchemy index vol. 3 and 4, thrice
