V3/4 Alchemy Index Air And Ea

Before beginning the review, let me say that I am a musician/recording engineer, and my other favorite bands are Dream Theater, Pat Metheny Group, Mew, Frost*, Porcupine tree, etc.
I say this to emphasize the angle that I am coming from in this review.
I will write a little about the actual album, but I'm mostly going to address why I think this works for this band at this time.
There are several other straight forward reviews that do the album justice.
I hope to write to the thinker and the lover of music who is wondering about this album.

I imagine that it's very difficult for a band like Thrice to grow and change. The reason is because they started out with a very "underground" metal/punk fusion style of music.
Usually, fans in this genre are very dedicated and passionate about "staying true" to the music.
They developed a following based on this sound, and from the early EP's, to Identity Crisis, to the illusion of safety, to Artist in the Ambulance, they developed this style as far as they wanted to...and realistically, as far as they could reasonably take it without becoming stale.
These were fantastic albums that all had their own merit for the time and place that they were written.

Then came Vheissu, which was quite a departure from their previous albums...and in my opinion, it was absolutely brilliant.
Now, with the Alchemy Index, they are simply going to the next natural step, and again, it's just excellent.

The reason why these albums work so well comes in understanding where the band might be coming from.

I know as a studious musician that there are points where you have a big shift in your tastes, and your writing styles. I think it's unavoidable when you really study your instrument and your art out of love for it.
Another huge factor that influences you is major life events that change you (marriage, having a baby, etc.)
So things that you might have found amazing in the past, might suddenly lose your interest in light of something new and different.
Likewise, things that you used to "hate" can now, with a new perspective, become very appealing.
For example, 6-8 years ago, I was an elitist "indie rocker" that only listened to music that no one else has heard of. I took pride in the fact that my music was so good, and so obscure. I also only liked bands in a very narrow genre and style. Anything outside of those boundaries, I "hated."
As I've grown and matured, I can only look back and laugh at how silly I was. I've since realized that a good musician can find the value in any style of music, and can realistically and objectively analyze it.
Here's one of many examples: To date, I have several reservations about Rap. I don't have any Rap artist that I find really appealing, and I don't have hardly any Rap artists in my music collection. However, I will always listen to anything that anyone brings to the table, because there is always something to be gained, even if it's simply an insight into the state of our current culture in America. So I don't "hate" rap. I just don't have any that has grabbed my attention yet.

As I have chosen to put aside the immature "elitist" persona, and have come to be comfortable with who I am, and my tastes in music...I have opened myself up to some wonderful artists in several different genres...many of which I would have "hated" on principle in the past, without having ever listened to them!

The reason why these albums (Vheissu, and Alchemy 1-4) resonate so deeply with me, is because they follow this line of reasoning very well. Thrice's entire progression from start to now is very similar to my personal progression as a musician over the last several years, and you can hear it in their music.

Many people seem to think that with these new albums, Thrice is still the "Illusion of Safety" version of the band that is trying something new and different, but will eventually come back to their senses.
What I would argue is that they are completely different people than they were then that have grown and matured and changed, and so their writing reflects who they are now with their new and unique set of influences.

With the alchemy index, you will find traces of their roots with Fire. But even in this, there is a lyrical and musical maturity that was only still developing in the earlier albums. There are no blinding riffs to rip your face off...but after some careful listening, you will hear the fantastic use of odd time signatures and interesting tension chords that give it a deeper sense of subtle technicality.

Water is where the album really takes a new turn. Continuing where Atlantic (Vheissu) left off, Digital Sea opens up with full electronic instrumentation, and makes way for the huge mood shift after The flame deluge closes the fire album.
There are no obvious hooks on water, which makes it even more appealing on closer listening. Texture, mood, and beauty take center stage, and it's nothing short of phenomenal from start to finish.

I just recently purchased Air and Earth, and again, I am blown away.

The whole album shows a calculated departure from overt intensity, to subtle developement.
As this is a concept album of sorts, the only way to really enjoy the parts, is when they are understood with the whole.
In our 15-second-attention-span society, I can completely understand why this album would seem boring or uninspired compared to their previous work.
But that's one of the very same reasons that I am so drawn to it. I love that it takes time. It waits. It allows you to think, and compels you to dig deeper.
That's what makes concept albums so amazing. It's about the whole idea instead of the parts. Seeing how the parts fit the whole is what gives it it's value.

This kind of conceptual, subtle, beautiful, experimental work is what sets thrice apart.
There are VERY few bands that I "loved" 6-8 years ago that I still love now.
Thrice is a notable exception.
I think some people are expecting the band to express themselves in the way that they expect the band to express themselves, rather than listening to what they have to say as musicians and artists.
I create music when I want to say something...if I'm buying a band's album, then I want to listen to their perspective.

I'm going to have to disagree with the reviewer who said this cd is "SOOO much better than Fire and Water" because thats just not true. All of the albums are appropriate to their own themes. However, with that being said, Air and Earth are nothing less than musical masterpieces. This series seems to be much more origional and creative than Fire and Water, which were also excellent in their own unique ways. They are most definitely in a leage of their own.

Having first heard Identity Crisis nearly five years ago, I would have never in a million years thought this would be the magnificent Thrice we are graced with today. This band has grown more than any band I have ever followed, ever. For all the OLD Thrice fans who might naysay the newer works; I hope you can open your minds to different outlooks on music because I can promise you this, you will not want to miss out on the splendor which is the Thrice of today. Forget everything you are habituated to and give it a try.

When the Alchemy Index, Vol. 1 & 2 Fire and Water were released last year, everyone was hit hard by how incendery and raw fire was, and how mesmerizing and trance like water was. Yet, not everyone was pleased with the album. I for one loved Fire and Water, even though it does have its ups and downs. I think most fans were left wondering, what are Air and Earth going to sound like? Will they be a dissapointment or will the complete the Alchemy Index into a stunning musical achievement? Well, suffice to say, having listened to Air and Earth thoroughly, Thrice have a elevated themselves over the first two volumes. If you were dissapointed in Fire and Water at all, don't worry, Air and Earth are much much better.

Air, is quite simply stunning to listen too. Dustins vocals are very impressive, I find them to be better here than they were in Vol. I and II, if only slightly. Broken Lungs is a strong intro track, giving you a good idea as to what to expect for the rest of Air. Everything on this album is near perfect. If I could I sum it up in one word I would say Blissful. Its hard to describe, it just needs to be heard. The closing song Silver Wings is truly special, I heard someone say they almost cried when they heard it. Its very moving and beautiful; by far the best closing track of the four volumes.

Earth is a complete 180 from Air. It reminds me very much of Dustins solo album, "Please Come Home." Very country and folky, Earth may come as surprise to some, but its excellent. Its hard to say which of the volumes is better because they are so different, but Earth is very strong, and with the nature of the album, the lyrics really shine here. There is a little bit of something for everyone here, but I can't imagine you not liking the Alchemy Index Vol. 3 & 4. Its just outstanding, and it really is much better than I had predicted. If Thrice continues to evolve and elevate themselves from here, who knows where they can go.

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