People think the 4 tracks shared are similar and not diverse? Maybe you could say that about Albatross and Holding on? But Dark Glow and Gnash don’t sound the same sonically. Gnash Dark Glow Vesper Light Unitive/West Undertow they all sound distinctly different from each other. But then again I don’t think Albatross or Holding On are similar either.
So glad I preordered this after just hearing Gnash. Haven't been obsessed with any of their albums since M/M, but something about this one just felt like it was going to hit right where i wanted it to. I don't know how to explain it but i really felt like this one was gonna deliver. And after reading through that last few pages of this thread and listening to the two new singles this morning i am HYPED.
Horizons/West is their best album since Vheissu. I can see why DK has been super stoked on this one coming out. Holding On gives me Just Breathe vibes, especially the ending. Gnash's drums are incredible. I really hope Riley continues to find more upbeat dancy beats like this for future music. Albatross in the middle when it picks up -- holy shit! Crooked Shadows really reminds me of Red Telephone and I'm loving it. Distant Suns is still my favorite off the bat. Its placement on the album really helps keep the record moving toward the end. This song is also exactly the kind of thing I wanted from Thrice since they came back 10 years ago. It's early but I think this song might be my favorite song they've put out since they got back from hiatus. I will be playing guitar/bass along to this tune quite often. Unitive/West is conceptually very cool, but I think Unitive/East is one of their most beautiful recordings ever. Overall, I love the energy and upbeat stuff that makes me want to dance a bit. I hope they maintain this course. It really sounds like the next thing they will be working on will be another volume of The Alchemy Index in time to release for TAI's 20 year anniversary. Will be interesting to see how they approach it.
In some interview with him earlier this year, Dustbin indicated that he plans to release a Thrice album and a solo album on alternating years for each of the next few. So, if they meet their goal, we can expect the next Thrice release in 2027, with a loveDK solo album in 2026.
Horizons/West and Horizons/East are both much better albums than Beggars in my opinion. Hell I think Palms is a lot better than Beggars. I actually place Beggars toward the bottom of their discography. The run from Beggars –– Major/Minor –– TBEITBN is my least favorite three albums of theirs.
"think Palms is a lot better than Beggars" genuinely, respectfully, one of the most insane things I have ever read on this site lmao. and I've read some wild shit
This record is incredible. Blackout - The first two-songs-in-one effort since Swing Sets? I'm weirdly reminded of AFI and how they used to open records. I don't see myself listening to this much on its own, but it plays well in sequence. Gnash - Still puts a smile on my face. Albatross - "The single" is probably my least favorite on the album, but it's necessary. Undertow - The offspring of Vheissu and Alchemy is when I knew we were in good shape the rest of the way. The opening also reminds me of AFI for some reason. Holding On - The opening sounds like a Michael Mann movie. I do wish it went somewhere else while somehow incorporating the opening, but there's a simple pleasure to it even if it's a tad redundant. Dusk - I'm not a vinyl person, but does this mark the end of Side A? The Dark Glow - This is why I listen to Thrice. Crooked Shadows - It took me a minute to warm up to this, but it clicked eventually. This is the Branch in the River of this album. Distant Suns - This is the Radiohead song of the record, and they don't miss when they channel their fandom. Vesper Light - This is also why I listen to Thrice. Unitive/West - Very pretty conclusion to a great record.
It’s fun seeing people react to the album, but also. With some of the wild opinions y’all have about their previous albums (vs what my own wild opinions are), I feel like none of this actually tells me how I’ll respond to the album, lol.
'respectfully,' i'm 'insane' for having a different opinion than other thrice fans? not really feeling the respect, guy. Beggars was the most disappointing album release I'd heard, about as disappointing as The King of Limbs was for many Radiohead fans when it came out.
It's a good listen. I agree with whoever said best since Vheissu. (I went to the Beggars tour last year but let's be real) Like this band but in no way am as nuts as half of you in the thrice threads. But I think this is a strong album for them. Excited to listen to it more but probably will not make top 5 of the year for me after 1 listen.
Age/timing really comes into play for a band like this with so many good albums. Vheissu, for me, is so easily tops.
My soft nitpick of the Horizons project is that both chapters were a touch too short. They're 9-song albums when you consider the Unitive closers and Dusk. Putting one of the two b-sides on each would've solved this just fine. Yes, I know I can play God and edit each playlist, but I'd still know I'm living a lie.