2008 Woodie Awards
Thrice releases first half of concept series: "Fire and Water"
Catherine Migel '11
Issue date: 10/24/07 Section: Entertainment
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All artists in music are set to a specific genre or label, and when they reach out of that genre, many times the band falls apart.
Thrice is an exception. Throughout their eight-year existence, they have been hard to pin down. With each of their albums, they go out of their way to change and break the stereotypes that have been set to them from previous albums. Their first LP in two years, "The Alchemy Index: Vol. 1 and 2: Fire and Water," brings Thrice to a completely different level.
"Fire and Water" is part one of a two-part series based on the four elements ("Earth and Air" will be released in Spring 2008). It was lead singer Dustin Kensrue that came up with the idea of writing music based on the elements. This is a very unique idea and has taken the band an entire year to work on and perfect. Most artists write their music and lyrics off of pure emotions and experience, Thrice mixes their emotions in with a specific element. Whether it be fire or water, Thrice brings the music and the element to life and makes the experience of listening to the music much more passionate.
Essentially, "Fire and Water" are two different albums on one CD. There is no direct connection between the two, which reflects the lack of a connection between the two elements; however, these differences just make the listening experience more of a challenge, but a good challenge. The differences give the listener a chance to find common threads through the lyrical meanings of the songs. "Fire" is the style that Thrice fans would relate to most, with songs that can be compared to Thrice's former albums. With Kensrue's intense voice practically screaming the words, and with strong guitar solos, "Fire" constitutes a musical style that has been seen on their former albums.
Meanwhile, "Water" is what will strike those who have heard Thrice before, or had just heard the "Fire" portion of the album, as different. Though "Water" is a change for Thrice fans, it reflects the growth of the band as a whole. It is much more driven by piano, softer chords, and synthesizers. It is soothing and the lyrics are less intense; in fact, in a few of the songs on "Water," there are barely any lyrics, but just soft music.
Thrice is an exception. Throughout their eight-year existence, they have been hard to pin down. With each of their albums, they go out of their way to change and break the stereotypes that have been set to them from previous albums. Their first LP in two years, "The Alchemy Index: Vol. 1 and 2: Fire and Water," brings Thrice to a completely different level.
"Fire and Water" is part one of a two-part series based on the four elements ("Earth and Air" will be released in Spring 2008). It was lead singer Dustin Kensrue that came up with the idea of writing music based on the elements. This is a very unique idea and has taken the band an entire year to work on and perfect. Most artists write their music and lyrics off of pure emotions and experience, Thrice mixes their emotions in with a specific element. Whether it be fire or water, Thrice brings the music and the element to life and makes the experience of listening to the music much more passionate.
Essentially, "Fire and Water" are two different albums on one CD. There is no direct connection between the two, which reflects the lack of a connection between the two elements; however, these differences just make the listening experience more of a challenge, but a good challenge. The differences give the listener a chance to find common threads through the lyrical meanings of the songs. "Fire" is the style that Thrice fans would relate to most, with songs that can be compared to Thrice's former albums. With Kensrue's intense voice practically screaming the words, and with strong guitar solos, "Fire" constitutes a musical style that has been seen on their former albums.
Meanwhile, "Water" is what will strike those who have heard Thrice before, or had just heard the "Fire" portion of the album, as different. Though "Water" is a change for Thrice fans, it reflects the growth of the band as a whole. It is much more driven by piano, softer chords, and synthesizers. It is soothing and the lyrics are less intense; in fact, in a few of the songs on "Water," there are barely any lyrics, but just soft music.
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