Alchemic gold

Some bands find a sound they like, a sound that works, and stick with it. They essentially produce the same album over and over and make significant amounts of money doing it. Other bands take risks, constantly change what they do and gain the respect of music fans and critics around the world.

Thrice belong to the latter group.

From their beginnings as a talented but run-of-the-mill screamo band, Thrice has become an elite band that defies classifiction. With their latest release The Alchemy Index Vols. III and IV: Air and Earth, Thrice continue to redefine themselves and distance themselves even further from their former screamo brethren.

Air and Earth are the third and fourth discs of a four-disc concept album (with the first two discs released last October). The album centers on the four classical elements – fire, water, air and earth – with a six-song disc devoted to each element. It’s a bold idea that could come off either as genius or incredibly hokey and dumb, but Thrice are able to pull it off.

The Air disc is thin and ethereal, with guitars and vocals dominant in its production. It actually is fairly reminiscent of Vheissu, Thrice’s previous release. The Earth disc is dominated by acoustic guitar and drums, with a folk feel – but still with the strength and force that is typical of Thrice.

The band has done something remarkable in making its best song the first single as well – “Come All You Weary,” from the Earth disc. It’s the only song on the disc that uses electric guitar and a full drum kit, but it still follows the concept with its full sound and folky feel.

Another thing about the album that really stands out is the band’s underrated songwriter Dustin Kensrue’s ability to manage the mechanics of the album’s concept almost perfectly. Both of the two discs are distinctly different, and each fits with its element – but the album is tied together as a whole by a motif that repeats in each of the four discs, a two-line closer set to the same tune in the last song of each disc.
Thrice took a big chance in trying to pull off a tricky concept. It has paid off beautifully.