Thrice Band • Page 362

I posted a similar thought in this thread re "Blood on the Sand." I don't blame them for wanting to lead with something heavy given how well the TAITA Revisited shows went for them.

 

it does not look half in half lol, it looks like 99% telling you you're out of your mind and actually pretty rude to post that versus thousands of likes and comments on the song

 

it's certainly one of the Thrice songs of all time

 

there are only two horizons

 

ok

I stand by what I said. This bad habit of Dustin's absolutely RUINED his solo album, and I can't be the only one to find the vocal slides incredibly grating.

 

You do you I guess, but I can't imagine saying that, the way you did, in the comments on someone's Instagram post. Let alone to someone I respect as a human and as one of my all-time-favorite vocalists. Like, honestly, if he sees it, I bet you hurt his feelings with how you worded it. "You gotta cool it..." comes across so entitled and, I'm sorry, extremely rude.

 

I'm not going to pretend that I put a lot of thought into how I worded the comment; if anything, the "you gotta cool it" phrasing was more of an attempt to be casual, not to sound smug. I will gladly concede that my comment could've been more kindly worded, but whether it's from me or from someone else, I do genuinely want this sentiment to reach Dustin's ears. As a fan and as a music critic, I really think his recent overuse of vocal slides is becoming a crutch that keeps him from writing better melodies. It doesn't ruin the new song for me by any means - in fact, I like it a whole lot - but I do think it could be stronger without them (especially the second verse, such as his delivery on the word "maze").

 

True I would hate to post criticism directly where they can easily read it. As much as I would personally like Dustin to revisit some of his vocal choices like his beautiful falsetto in the end some of us fell in love with the way they musically did whatever they wanted.

 

I think most artists are too nice wrt self important critical comments. Wish more of them would take a page from Melo's book honestly

 

I’m not usually one to post negative comments on socials. I’m far more apt to hype bands up on socials and share them with friends, even if I have some negative or critical things to say on my published reviews.

But coming off of Desert Dreaming, I just didn’t feel like I could hold it in anymore. If anyone wants to go listen to Desert and count the number of times Dustin slides up to his notes all throughout that album, you might understand why I think this is an actual problem worth addressing directly to him.

 

unfathomable self importance here, my gosh

 

Love Desert Dreaming, love Stumbling West. I see no issue with his vocals. The dude has his vocal fingerprint that will continue to change and evolve, and I'm here for it.

Gnash is fucking killer. I joined Alliance a few weeks ago knowing there'd be an Alliance exclusive vinyl variant that I wanted... but ended going with one of the regular deluxes anyway. BRING ON OCTOBER.

 

Calling an artist’s choice that you personally dislike a “problem” that needs to be addressed is kinda wild.

If you are a music critic with an outlet to post your criticism, have at it. Criticism that is fully explained and explored is a valid way to engage with the art and with the artists.

But shitposting in a comment on instagram just makes you another one of the entitled fans who constantly post asking for a return to the AITA sound or whatever. You don’t get to insulate yourself from that truth by claiming you are a music critic. Unless we are going to just completely strip that label of any meaning.

But let’s just call a spade a spade, you know.

 

I will say, at the very least, I agree with you that my claims to being a “music critic” do not give me any special permissions to speak to artists differently or behave differently on social media. I appreciate that pushback.

 

That’s a reasonable response and good enough for me.

I’ll go back to thinking of how I’m going to explain to my wife why three copies of the same vinyl arrived.

 

So that Gnash song's good, uh?

 

I think this might be their most interesting song since To Be Everywhere if I'm being completely honest. Very weird, very aggro, very cool

 

Dead Wake, Northern Lights, Robot Soft, Blood on Blood are all pretty interesting even if your mileage may vary. Gnash is both interesting, and better, than at least a couple of those songs.

 

I agree with your assessment of his delivery. And I don't give a S about what you said to him on social media lol.

 

this is the moment you stuck your head up your own asshole and screamed “I’m so important!” And we are all judging you, you entitled self important weirdo.

 

In all seriousness, if Thrice released an album with zero screaming on it, would you blame a fan for wanting to tell the band that they wished the next album had screaming on it?

 

Sorry, it’s really hard to understand you with your head up there.

 

Chase has always been a good dude around these parts maybe we can cut him some slack. Sheesh.

 

I find it weird to criticize an artist about artistic choices to their face at all, but doing so framed as "they NEED to hear my opinion because it will make their music better for everyone! I'm just doing them a favor!" is absolutely bizarre as hell.

If an artist I like does something I don't, I simply don't comment something negative on their social media. Or just say congrats on the release and move on.

 

In all seriousness, literally, yes. Especially with this band. The band's response, and obvious frustration, to the (IMO) rudeness of people screaming "play Deadbolt" at them over the years seems like a good analog to this hypothetical. Are there ways to discuss "wanting a heavier Thrice record" that I would find less rude and possibly constructive (even if I disagreed with it because I think their last record is one of their absolute best)? Of course! Do I think screaming "play Deadbolt" during any other incredible song they play live a healthy or constructive way to do this? Not even a little.