Reviews

The first thing I review in new albums from bands I already like is always change. It’s the progression of musical tastes and themes that often dictates my take on the new efforts. Basically, the best record made twice is always mediocre the second time.
 
For Thrice, now four studio albums into their recording career, a long progression has definitely taken place. Following two standout releases on Subcity, Thrice signed to a major label, and, unfortunately, rushed their first major label release, “Artist in the Ambulance.” It had the feel of something pulled together too fast to stay cohesive, as they ranged into different styles but still tried to play with a hardcore template. It felt incomplete, like the ideas were there but for whatever reason it just couldn’t coalesce.
 
The reason I go into this is only for contrast. With “Vheissu,” Thrice have cut loose from the musical boundaries which at times stifled “Artist…” The formula is gone. In place of the traditional hardcore with melodic breakdowns that made “Identity Crisis” and “Illusion of Safety” great CDs is now a mature musical sensibility. Where before they were genre-straddlers, now they are genreless.
 
In the new album, Thrice retain fragments of metal and hardcore, still drawing on quick tap solos, punishing triplets, and a now consistently on-key guttural scream. Now, though, they also use a host of other musical techniques, utilizing piano, synthesizer, electronic backgrounds, and even a chain gang call and response. The songs build in a way that showcases their maturity, calling up references to Radiohead and A Perfect Circle with the depth of their orchestration and atmosphere. The covals are polished, the lyrics well-written, the guitar sparkling, and the piano and orchestration perfect.
 
A huge step has also been taken forward in the progress of the percussion. What used to stand out like a sore thumb now blends seamlessly into the music. Overall, this is a new album, the first complete one of their major label career, and probably the most thought out and well performed of all their efforts.
 
Do not go into this looking for early Thrice or even hardcore, emo, or punk in general. Look at it as what it now has become: a great rock band moving their music forward.