a while back i threw up a review on roughly two of thrice's albums. that was supposed to be a preview for this review. which i never did. cause i SUCK, apparently. i'm just figuring this out. don't begrudge me the self-realization.
anyway
go back and read that if you haven't yet
(crickets)
done?
okay
Vheissu is a major departure/maturation for this band. gone (for the most part) are the primal screams as a device for evocation. in their place are more of the soulful melodies that we glimpsed in 'Artist in the Ambulance.'when the screams do come up they seem less neccessary than ever now that they stand in contrast to some real intelligent song construction.
the seemingly relentless barrage of distorted guitar riffs has been scaled back and augmented with a truly lush soundscape. it seems this band finally figured out that they were writing some really good music, and sometimes, JUST sometimes, its good to actually hear the nuance in that music. the devil is in the details, as it were. on this album there are acoustic guitars, sparse distorted electric, piano, organ, and strings, all filled out with electronica, of all things, helping out the strong backbeat we've come to expect.
my one complaint with this evolution in sound is that i worry the band isn't being true to their own vision. on the supporting tour for 'artist' there were some acoustic shows. fans and critics started drawing comparisons to bands like the Cure, and here we are two and a half years later with a very new-wavy album. coincidence, or contrivance? does it really matter? not if you dig the music.
check out 'atlantic,' 'for miles,' 'between the end and where we lie,' and 'music box' for good examples of how far this band has come. just don't pay too close attention to the lyrics. that is one department in which Thrice has yet to grow up.
anyway
go back and read that if you haven't yet
(crickets)
done?
okay
Vheissu is a major departure/maturation for this band. gone (for the most part) are the primal screams as a device for evocation. in their place are more of the soulful melodies that we glimpsed in 'Artist in the Ambulance.'when the screams do come up they seem less neccessary than ever now that they stand in contrast to some real intelligent song construction.
the seemingly relentless barrage of distorted guitar riffs has been scaled back and augmented with a truly lush soundscape. it seems this band finally figured out that they were writing some really good music, and sometimes, JUST sometimes, its good to actually hear the nuance in that music. the devil is in the details, as it were. on this album there are acoustic guitars, sparse distorted electric, piano, organ, and strings, all filled out with electronica, of all things, helping out the strong backbeat we've come to expect.
my one complaint with this evolution in sound is that i worry the band isn't being true to their own vision. on the supporting tour for 'artist' there were some acoustic shows. fans and critics started drawing comparisons to bands like the Cure, and here we are two and a half years later with a very new-wavy album. coincidence, or contrivance? does it really matter? not if you dig the music.
check out 'atlantic,' 'for miles,' 'between the end and where we lie,' and 'music box' for good examples of how far this band has come. just don't pay too close attention to the lyrics. that is one department in which Thrice has yet to grow up.