Dustin Kensrue

ALTERNATE VERSIONS: THRICE- ALL THE WORLD IS MAD

The impact live versions can have over a studio version is quite significant. Often times the studio version, while it still has the deep thought, feeling, and emotion it’s usually too compressed and the mix can make things feel strange. While the live version has a more enigmatic feel and a more raw sound.

Thrice is a band that when you see and hear live it takes things to a different level. Their studio albums have all had different vibes to them and it makes for a great listening experience. One album in particular, Beggars, took me a bit to get into when it first came out but, then seeing them live and playing a slew of songs from said album changed it all. One of those songs has always stuck in my mind and it’s quite fitting for the state of the world we live in now. “All The World Is Mad” is the first song on Beggars and fifteen years later still sounds as alive as ever.

This live version of “All The World Is Mad” is from their “farewell” tour back in 2012. It’s an electric and excellent version of an already great song. And in a personal side note, this song needs to be played live more!! Enjoy!

Thrice- All The World Is Mad (Live 2012: San Diego):

Thrice- All The World Is Mad (Album Version):

New Release: Thrice- Robot Soft Exorcism
Thrice - Horizons/East | Epitaph Records

Thrice has released another new song from their upcoming album, Horizons/East (out September 17). This song “Robot Soft Exorcism” is a really interesting song. It sort of has a feel similar to the more experimental tracks from The Alchemy Index. This is also one of those songs that if you listen with headphones (good headphones, not those shitty earbuds) you can hear so many other little hidden gems within the song. Speaking on the song “‘The track’s title may sound familiar to those who are aware of David Dark. The American author and teacher coined the term in a twitter thread, exploring a metaphor in an attempt to help us distinguish between harmful and destructive systems and those that inhabit and benefit from them. Thrice’s singer and lyricist Dustin Kensrue picks up the image and breathes life into it throughout the newly released track. Months back Kensrue and Dark spoke at length on the subject, as well as other topics, on Kensrue’s podcast.’ Between the song “Scavengers” and now “Robot Soft Exorcism,” this new Thrice album is shaping up to be one hell of a good one.

Thrice- Robot Soft Exorcism:

Thrice- Scavengers:

New Release: Thrice- Scavengers
Thrice announce new album 'Horizons / East,' share new song “Scavengers”

On September 17th, Thrice will release their new album, Horizons/East via Epitaph Records. The new album was written and recorded by the band over the past couple years. The self produced album was mixed by Kowloon Walled City’s Scott Evans at his studio, Antisleep Audio and he did a killer job! The first single “Scavengers” has a vibe that fits in with their whole catalog. The song is deep and dark with a sense of hope, just as any Thrice song should. Live, this song is going to be huge, and I can’t wait to hear it! Pre-Orders are available HERE.

Thrice- Scavengers:

Ultimate Set List: Thrice
thrice-tickets_06-04-16_17_56562cf7102e6.jpg

The other day I mentioned to a really good friend that Thrice was going back out on tour and we both got very excited. Thrice is also, based on their social media posts, have been hard at work on a new album. Hopefully they share a new song or two on tour. Throughout their career, Thrice has been one of the few bands to try to make their set lists different and fun for the audience. The past few tours, they’ve set up an online portal for fans to vote on what songs they want to hear. The end result is always interesting since, so many people have yet to see them live so the most popular choices are always front and center. For me, I’d rather have some deeper cuts so, that’s why doing these Ultimate Set Lists are so much fun.

As usual here are the rules:

Rule 1: What line up of the band would it be

Rule 2: Where would you want to see the show

Rule 3: maximum 25 songs (In order of how the set should go)

Lineup: Dustin, Teppei, Riley, Ed

Venue: Fonda Theatre

Set List:

01) Hurricane
02) Silhouette
03) The Grey
04) Yellow Belly
05) Wake Up
06) Like Moths To Flame
07) Under A Killing Moon
08) Only Us
09) Beggars
10) Just Breathe
11) The Earth Will Shake
12) Blinded
13) Hold Fast Hope
14) The Dark
15) Promises
16) Black Honey
17) Don’t Tell And We Won’t Ask
18) Red Sky

Encore:

19) The Artist In the Ambulance
20) Where Idols Once Stood
21) To Awake And Avenge The Dead
22) Deadbolt
23) All That’s Left

Deep Cuts: Thrice- The Flame Deluge

Thrice - The Alchemy Index, Vols. 1 & 2: Fire & Water - Amazon.com ...

One of the best things about putting your iPod on random is the ability to rediscover songs you forgot about. The other day while driving home from hanging out with a friend, a song came on that was perfect for the drive. Thrice has long been a favorite band of mine since I first heard The Illusion Of Safety. The song that hit me was “The Flame Deluge” from their Alchemy Index, Fire album. This song is the closing track on that part. It’s quite a beautiful song, and it channels some really cool influences from the likes of Isis and Pelican (which isn’t a surprise since Thrice has toured and played shows with them through the years). I’d personally love it if one day at a show of their that I’m at, they played this one. It would be quite an epic one for sure.

Thrice- The Flame Deluge:

 

Album Review: Thrice- Palms

thrice-palms.jpg

Thrice has never been a band to repeat what they did on their last album. They’ve always pushed forward and tried new things. Sometimes those experiments worked (Vheissu) and others not so much (Beggars). Now on their tenth studio album, Thrice have returned with Palms, a record that picks up where To Be Everywhere Is To Be Nowhere left off. Palms is chock full of those signature Thrice moments from the riffs, lyrics, melodies and rhythms that makes Thrice a special band.

There is no doubt that when Thrice writes a “heavy” song, you know that it’s going to be a favorite. Rather than go all out heavy on the first track, “Only Us” starts it off with a very subtle mid tempo track that is heavy but full of melody. Then on track two with “The Grey,” they step it up a bit more to really push the album further. “The Dark” then takes it back to the melodic with it’s dark brooding body. Dustin Kensrue, really shines on this song. “Just Breathe” which features guest vocals from Emma Ruth Rundle, is another stellar track that shows a bit of a different side of the band. As the album continues on with songs like “Everything Belongs” and “My Soul,” Thrice explores a bit of their ballad side, then they bring it back up tempo with the distortion heavy “Hold Up A Light.” Closing out the album is “Beyond The Pines” a very stark and haunting track that continues on the bands experimental path but doesn’t stray from the overall sense of the album.
Overall, Palms is very much a Thrice album. They aren’t trying to sound like anyone else but themselves. The experimentation works for these songs. Since the band returned with To Be Everywhere, you get the sense that Dustin, Teppei, Ed, and Riley are feeling inspired again and have something more to say. The playing and performances on this album are top notch and hark back to their early days, when making music was fun and full of life. The only complaint I have about Palms, is that the mix on this album is pretty weak. Often times, the drums are buried, the bass just becomes a rumble, the crisp/bright guitars are often lost amongst the distortion, and the vocals at times seem to be too compressed. But if you look past these things, Palms is a very enjoyable and full album. Thrice have really pushed themselves to not repeat the past and on Palms, they achieve that and show their collective maturity.

Overall Rating 8.5/10

 

Thrice- Palms:

New Release: Thrice- The Dark

thrice-pre-order-meta

Thrice’s new album Palms comes out this Friday (September 14 via Epitaph Records). They’ve already premiered 2 stellar songs from the album, “The Grey” and “Only Us.” Now, they’ve unleashed “The Dark” on us all. This song has an interesting history. Thrice asked fans to be a part of the song by sending in audio and video of them singing a specific part, and they would be included in the final version of the track. This song definitely has a “vibe” to it that’s very Thrice.

 

Thrice- The Dark:

 

Thrice- The Grey:

 

Thrice- Only Us:

New Release: Thrice- Only Us

thrice-pre-order-meta.jpg

Thrice has released a new track, “Only Us” from their upcoming album Palms (out September 14 via Epitaph Records).  “Only Us” is Thrice experimenting a bit but not losing sight of what they do best. The song is full of lush melodies and emotion. “Only Us” is the type of song that when played live will be a beast. Check it out!!!

 

Thrice- Only Us:

 

Thrice- The Grey:

 

Cover Song: Thrice (Smashing Pumpkins)-1979

10697292_723168117777156_4168158518538488340_o.png

Recently, Thrice released a great new album entitled To Be Everywhere Is To Be Nowhere. While on their promotional tour, they stopped by some radio stations to perform a few songs acoustically. One of the songs they played during a stop at Sirius XM was The Smashing Pumpkins classic “1979.” It’s a very stripped down version and it’s pretty solid.

Check it out.

 

Thrice- 1979 (Acoustic):


Bonus Song:

Thrice- Black Honey (Acoustic):

 

Thrice- To Be Everywhere Is To Be Nowhere:

Unsung Masterpieces: Thrice- Vheissu
1280x1280

Making a statement through music and art is always a complex thing to do. On one hand you know that this is the best and most fulfilling thing you can do. So much so that the direction and influence you feel at that point is going to define you. On the other hand, there is a sense that people out there won’t get it and thus give up on you. But for those that understand and really pick up on, know that this is the album that needed to be made and up till this point, it was only a matter of time. Ten years ago, Thrice released their masterpiece called Vheissu. At first it was met with a bit of hesitation but as time settled, the album began to take on a life of it’s own. Vheissu was a dramatic and experimental departure from the bands more post hardcore roots. Thrice took chances to make an album with more substance and meaning. Not to say that their previous releases weren’t up to par, but this album just had to push past all those to leave a mark. They took a chance with adding different elements including different instruments, time signatures, and the use of electronics. All of these things really helped to ensure a true artistic approach in the writing and recording process. There are so many standout songs on this album, it’s hard to pick the absolute best. My personal favorite “The Earth Will Shake,” is a perfect example of the bands progression and how well it worked out. “Red Sky,” “Atlantic,” “For Miles,” “Like Moths To Flame,” and “Image Of The Invisible” are all standout tracks on the album. The entire record as a whole is beyond anything in the bands catalog. Take a trip back ten years ago and listen to Vheissu again.

Thrice- Vheissu: