Review: Thrice
Band: Thrice
Album: Beggars
Label: Vagrant
Release Date: 09/15/2009
Genre: Experimental/Rock
Rating: 
5/5
by Shane Stiles
It’s pretty rare to look at an album and think that there isn’t anything that could be better on it. Since the release of The Illusion of Safety, Thrice has been constantly changing and maturing their sound. When they released Vheissu (the record that caused them to part ways with Island Records), I was in complete awe and wondered what more they could do. Four elemental themed EPs later, Thrice answered with complete musical fury. Never doubt the creativity of Teppei Teranishi and Dustin Kensrue. Be it heavy and slow metal songs, breezy electronic laced songs, or heart warming/breaking folk, this band can do it all.
It’s a showing of exactly why Beggars leaked so far in advance. When your record is the one of the most (if not the most) sought after record of the year, people will go to great lengths to get it regardless of the repercussions. Lingering more in the vein of the Water and Air themed EPs, Beggars is a jewel of a release, something like a more rock version of Radiohead. Opening up with “All The World is Mad”, what could probably be deemed the heaviest track on the record. It’s a smooth transition into a cd that seems to be void of the heavy tinges that highlighted their previous releases. Followed by “The Weight”, with its monstrous chorus “come what may I won’t abandon you or leave you behind because love is a loyalty sworn not a burning for a moment”, giving Kensrue the chance to show off his signature shouting vocals, it’s a genius mix of a 95% melodic song using vocals to add harshness to the song.
It’s the third song on the record, “Circles” that really grabs you and makes you pay attention to the record. Smooth, subtle and sincere, each note is delicate and with complete purpose. What is not to love? The rest of the record falls into place, while you could easily go into detail about the intricacies of each song, it’s best and more concise just to tell you that there isn’t a let down on the album.
Thrice assembled a record a little more upbeat than the previous EP sets but they’ve kicked up the writing to a totally new level. Thrice is easily one of the best bands of the past decade. If by some off chance you don’t have any of their records, please do yourself a favor and buy Beggars as soon as possible.
Track Listing:01. All The World Is Mad
02. The Weight
03. Circles
04. Doublespeak
05. In Exile
06. At The Last
07. Wood & Wire
08. Talking Through Glass
09. The Great Exchange
10. Beggars
