I feel Hurricane and Salt and Shadow gives you an idea of what this album could have sounded like. Everything in between is kind of a disappointment, except for Seneca which I would have love to hear as a full song. Stay with me is probably the worst song they've written since Image of the Invisible. Overall it's an average album with two exceptional songs and not the sound I was hoping for, but I can't really blame them for that. I just hope they slow it down and experiment a bit more on next one. 6/10 Edit: I feel as though 2.20 (after the second chorus) and to the end of Death from Above deserves a much needed shout out, also. Great stuff. Is that the only song they have were someone other than Dustin wrote the lyrics?
I think it's a tad strange that the CoS review only thinks the two "singles" are the worthwhile tracks. Has that ever been the case with a Thrice album before?
Yeah, it's bizarre - it's also written like there's only 5 tracks on the album: the few he didn't like, and the two singles. It's especially weird given how good some of the other tracks are (Death From Above immediately comes to mind). I really wish the reviewer had stuck more to discussing the actual songs and musicianship rather than waxing philosophical over the album's place in Thrice's discography.
Good review. I definitely find myself in the camp that loves everything about it, and for now I'm on the "Highly Recommend" side of things, but need much more time with it to know how it holds up. How these songs sound in a live set will also skew and change my perception and love for the album, though I anticipate to love it even more.
Haven't read anything in this thread since the leak. Giving it my first listen now though and I'm excited.
The C- grade there didn't match up to the review, for me, but I see the reviewer's point: The pacing on this album could be more varied.
All the reviews saying this is a "rock" record has me a little concerned I won't like it. I'll find out tomorrow.
It's very much like Fire, so if that's your thing you'll likely love it. A few exceptions - Wake Up is closest to radio rock, and Salt and Shadow reminds me of water/air but I'd really not worry about the emphasis on "rock"
I really like this record. Though I think its kinda flawed, it's still got a few godtier tracks like Hurricane. So Happy that Thrice is back. Band peaked with Vheissu but they still make great music.
It's weird because I agree with and understand the criticisms (The pacing being monotonous, not enough experimentation) and yet it's not taken any enjoyment I have gotten out of this record thus far through 3 listens. I really love it, and with them talking about the next record already, there is plenty of time for more experimentation to occur.
Thanks; I've had the album for a couple months and to me, it's just a great listen all-around. I was a little torn between "Recommended" and "Highly Recommended," not that it matters that much, but in the end, there are a lot of songs I love, a few that I really like, and couple that are just okay. It won't be my AOTY, but it's one of three Thrice albums I actually love, so that makes me happy. After Major/Minor, I just wasn't sure how often I would come back to this band's catalog.
Great write-up, Aaron - hits all the stuff that I just complained the CoS review was lacking, plus a much more thoughtful discussion of how TBEITBN relates to their previous albums.
I've been making all kinds of parallels to Radiohead in my listening because of how they influence Thrice as an experimental rock band and how each band released a great ninth album this month lol not to mention I just submitted my review of that as well