After six full-length albums and five EP releases, Thrice remains one of the most pivotal and influential bands that a lot of people have yet to discover. With the group’s latest release, The Alchemy Index Vol. III and IV: Air and Earth, Thrice continues to impress with its ability to progress.
The Alchemy Index was a project drawn up in late 2006, with the intention of exploring sounds the band has brushed on but has yet to develop. The "index" is made up of four elements: Fire, Water, Air and Earth, each with a six-song EP that encompasses and represents each element.
Air is the third volume of The Alchemy Index, exploring a more ambient side of Thrice. The EP begins with "Broken Lungs," a song that could have been found anywhere on 2005’s Vheissu. Vocalist Dustin Kensrue demonstrates his talent on the bridge, transitioning from screams to a falsetto in a matter of seconds.
Air’s most notable experiments include "The Sky Is Falling," which shows Thrice’s distorted vocals and a distinct rhythm section, complete with handclaps and drum machines. At the same time, there are much simpler songs, such as "A Song for Milly Michaelson," which layers balladry over lush guitar sounds.
Of all the EPs from the project, Air is the most diverse and impressive, as every track is one of Thrice’s best. My only complaint with the EP is that "Silver Wings," a beautiful harmony that plays like a church hymn, is only two minutes long.
Earth is the fourth and final installment of The Alchemy Index, and it takes on blues and folk influences. On "Moving Mountains," Kensrue wails, "I don’t know the first thing about love," which is reminiscent of the brand of folk-rock played by classic artists like Bob Dylan.
"Come All You Weary" is a true gem on this EP and it’s the only song on the EP that uses the standard drum set. "The Earth Isn’t Humming," a song originally by Frodus, is the first song Thrice has ever covered and officially released on an album.
The most unique fact about Earth is that it is composed completely of acoustic instruments. The overall sound of Earth is very similar to Kensrue’s 2007 solo album, Please Come Home. Despite the heavy similarities, Thrice has managed to achieve a more complete and cohesive sound, thanks to brothers Riley and Eddie Breckenridge on drums and bass respectively, along with guitarist Teppei Teranishi.
The biggest advantage of having four different sounds is that there is something here for everyone. The EPs are a good expos’eacute; of Thrice’s most polarizing sounds, from their softest to the heaviest.
The biggest disadvantage of The Alchemy Index is that the final product can be a little intimidating. It is by no means an easy listen, because of four completely different sounds, and a total of 24 songs. Because of this, Thrice truly shines with its ability to make records, and will hopefully continue to release albums such as Vheissu in the future.
Thrice is a group that doesn’t seem intimidated by the pressures of progression. Few bands could successfully execute a project of this magnitude. At times, it seems overzealous and pretentious, but the end result is far better than expected.
Thrice’s The Alchemy Index: Volumes III and IV: Air and Earth is in stores today on Vagrant Records.
Verdict: By far the better half of The Alchemy Index
