Thrice
Beggars
Vagrant Records
A-
I find that Thrice is one of the few bands that people from across all walks of life can generally agree on. Though the band began their recorded career as a mishmash of tech metal leads and screamo-esque leanings, they have explored the larger spectrum of creativity, oftentimes citing Radiohead as a major influence for their experimental albums
Vheissu and
The Alchemy Index Vols. I-IV.
Where the more popular songs from the
Alchemy records leaned a bit more towards trip-hop, Thrice's new record,
Beggars, is a solid combination of the energy of
Vheissu and their third album,
The Artist And The Ambulance.
Not to say that it's a step backwards, per se. The record opens up with "All the World is Mad," a song that is steeped in an old school Thrice formula, while its follow-up, "The Weight," finds itself entertaining a groove-oriented bassline.
There are also quiet moments on this album ("Wood & Wire" and "The Great Exchange"), but they are interrupted by aggressive songs, such as "Through the Glass."
While it's not as hardcore as "The Illusion Of Safety" or "Identity Crisis," I think it's pretty safe to say that those moments for Thrice are few and far between (perhaps exemplified by the last time I saw the band and they played "Deadbolt" at a much slower rate), which is fine by me. I'd actually be disappointed if this band just decided that shredding for 30 minutes would be enough.
Reviewed by Ryan Pangilinan
what do you think?
