This is a hard one and def think it depends on mood. Surprising to see Earth rated lowest on average , because I think “come all you weary” is up there with the best Thrice songs ever, but then again, so is “Digital Sea” and “firebreather” AND “Daedalus”. Ugh, twist my arm , but : Air - Water - Fire - Earth. Ask me again tomorrow I might change my mind. 05-09 this band was at an incredible creative peak.
It is really tough and it kinda does speak to what element of Thrice you like most. favourite 5 songs for me on those Ep’s are 1 Milly Michaelson 2 Daedalus 3 Come All You Weary 4 The Whaler 5 Firebreather I always thought it was cool that each ep had a song that I’d consider top 5 on the project, and they’ve used these Ep’s as influences in future material.
Each time they post an insta pic with them wearing masks there is a whole lotta whining in the comments. Such a sad state of affairs.
Frustratingly, a lot of their fanbase comes from conservative Christian circles. Many of whom haven’t caught on to Dustin’s deconstructed faith and the shift in how he writes faith into his lyricism. The outrage is what many of us even vaguely rationally human beings in the church (I’m a pastor) are currently working with. Thankfully there’s way more reasonable people who I work with than unreasonable people. But the unreasonable ones are really really loud.
This reminds me of when someone on the site said the Coheed FB group was full of Trump supporters lol. It’s so baffling to me how bands can attract fan’s with the exact opposite message the band in question has always been apart of.
The wrestling ppv theme song publicity has definitely increased the awful band t-shirts in their crowds as well
To me, masks are a sign of respecting others around you and yourself. They represent respecting science and life. That’s even preCOVID. It’s fire fighters or anyone who needs to wear air packs, it’s surgeons in operating rooms, it’s people working around toxins, goalies and so much more. If the guys in Thrice isolated to work on their record together it’d make sense to not require a mask. If they are not able to do this because they have families which they are seeing during this period, then I’d rather see them in masks so they can get this record get done and stop the spread an illness. Anyone who complains about that lacks understanding and consideration for other people. People argue about freedoms but they are wearing masks of their own free will in their space. Good on you Thrice.
ranking the ep's is kinda hard. i'm all about the hard and heavy, but lately i've skewed the opposite side. as of today: water fire air earth and to be clear, this isn't best to worst. this is 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d. all good shit. as far as top 5 tracks? open water night diving child of dust lion & wolf flame deluge
My issue with air and earth are entirely expectation based. After Fire and Water sounding very elemental influenced..the final 2 missed the premise for me. Thought air would have more wind instruments or at least be more of a departure from vheissu thrice. Thought earth would be more drum/Rhythm driven, less folk focused. with that said love the project. and would love to see them attempt something high concept again. Water Fire earth Air
Since only members of Thrice played instruments on the EP’s which were being self produced in a garage recording studio after being released from a major label, if no one in the band played flute or clarinet it wasn’t going to be featured on an Air EP. They didn’t have a big studio budget or major support so expectations needed to be adjusted accordingly. Just pointing it out, but some of the lyrical dictates the EP. Air has songs about towers, planes bombs, birds that can fly and about Icarus and his dad. There’s wind chimes in Milly Michaelson which gives me chills. They tried to to have whimsical sounds and angelic music. I think they did a great job. Earth uses wood instruments like a a piano and an acoustic guitar, plus they actually buried a mic in dirt during a song in the yard outside the recording space. The Earth Isn’t Humming is a great cover choice. Some of the songs I’ve earthy content, but this EP is less hit the nail on the head than others. It takes earth as mountains, creatures, ground/dirt, people, and so on. Could have been a heavy drum song on there though. I do agree. I think they were just trying to create distinctions and it was less electric heavy drums to avoid any conflict with Fire/Air’s heavy songs.
I’d say Beggars is my number 1. TBEITBN and Vheissu are right there. If I did a best of the EP’s it may take over number 1, but that’s now this works.
I 100% get what they did to fit within the “element” . And like it. I just had delusions about what it was going to be and always think about it when I hear the EPs. completely personal non sense. Lol.
I hope its more experimental but the realist in me is leaning somewhere between tbitbn and 'radio' rock.
Deeper Wells EP was a little more groovy like Beggars on the last two songs. They had harp and did some experimental things on Palms, but they had tested the water to greater depths before on previous releases. Beyond The Pines was great. Like all timer. I hope they don’t do a safe record. It could still be very Thrice, just a few more “oh wow” moments than Palms would be cool.
I think they are fully aware that Palms wasn't well received, especially Hold Up a Light, so I think this album will be different.
I don’t even hate that song. I feel like it was a bit of an over reaction. But, the album did feel a little safe and had radio rock moments.