Photo by: Dustin Rabin myspace.com/thrice
Thrice has done it again. Ten years after the formation of the California-based rock band, Thrice has accomplished what many bands can only dream to do.
With the release of the epic second half of its nature-themed album, The Alchemy Index, Thrice has clearly established itself in the upper echelons of musical talent. Gone are the punk-based power chords, and perhaps the Thrice that many of us have come to love.
Do not get me wrong, I am just as big a fan of “Deadbolt,” “The Red Death” and “Artist in the Ambulance” as the next guy, but Thrice has evolved. It has gone on to tackle creative genius and come out the other side forever changed.
Independently recorded and produced by the band itself, The Alchemy Index Vols. III (Air) and IV (Earth) are the ultimate companions to the previous two volumes. The Air disc starts off with the ethereal “Broken Lungs,” which hints at the excellence to come.
The real flavor of this disc can be found in “The Sky is Falling,” “Daedalus” and even “A Song for Milly Michaelson.”
“The Sky is Falling” features the floating lyrics of singer Dustin Kensrue at the top of his game. Although the song does not employ any spectacularly technical instruments, it does showcase a range that I never thought this band was capable of.
“Daedalus” will no doubt remind fans of “The Melting Point of Wax.” Both songs take listeners through different aspects of the Greek myth of young Icarus and father Daedalus. While “Melting Point” is a more upbeat and youthful perspective to the tragedy, “Daedalus” is a fatherly journey through the escape from the island and the unheeded warning about the fragile wings. It is an exploration of life and humanity.
“Milly” turns out to be a rhythmic, airy melody that floats along and invites you into a beautiful and reflective trance.
The Earth disc opens with the rustic “Moving Mountains,” a song exploring Godly power and all-knowingness while still not acquainted with love. Immediately followed by the jazzy-blues-ballad “Digging My Own Grave,” about the frailty of life and the immutability of man.
“The Earth Isn’t Humming,” a cover of the Frodus song of the same title, is a noteworthy example of excellence, while the slow, heavy hymn, “Come All You Weary,” serves as the anchor of this disc.
Both of the last songs, “Silver Wings” and “Child of Dust,” although vocally harmonic and intriguing, are somewhat disappointing and do not fit with the rest of the songs.
The best part of this four-disc adventure is the interchangeability of the elements. Drummer Riley Breckenridge posted on the band’s blog that “you can put them in whatever order feels best to you, mix and match songs from different EPs, think about segues and how songs flow in and out of each other, and just basically build your own Alchemy Index.”
Ultimately, bands strive for this measure of accomplishment abut never come close. The Alchemy Index, the complete set, is nothing short of the band’s magnum opus, with Vols. III (Air) and IV (Earth) serving as the absolute masterpiece.
While rumors circulate that the band believes this to be its final release, I cannot think of any better way to end an amazing career of sheer artistry, gracious charity and untouchable creativity than with The Alchemy Index.
