Music Review: Beggars by Thrice
By Dr_Feelgood38 7 Comments
Now, this isn't one of those great deep reviews that Bruce does ( like this one here!), I'm just trying to get as many people as possible to buy this fantastic band's album when it comes to stores.
Thrice have made nothing but amazing music ever since they first broke out onto the music scene and their newest album is definitely no exception. Their musical style experienced some major changes since their beginnings culminating in the previous heavily experimental four part album, The Alchemy Index (check it out, too). Beggars is still somewhat experimental (albeit more fine tuned) which shows that the band is ever evolving and making the kind of music that they want to make, but it is also an amalgam of all the best parts of their previous albums making it more accessible.
Every song on the album is expertly crafted by each member of the band with thoughtful lyrics, amazing vocal deliverance, and unending musical talent. The songs range from the alternative-rock and jazz fusion “Doublespeak” to the haunting, eerie tracks like “Circles” and “Wood and Wire” which also capture sadness in a most profound way.
“A dead man walking down the hall,
To meet a mess of wood and wire.
They lead me where men fear to tread—
But towards the thing I most desire.”
- Wood and Wire
(There's a watermark in this and in the next video :( Bear with me, the songs are worth it and these guys are the only people who uploaded them. Buy the album to get the songs in all their magnificent, un-watermarked glory :D)
While the slow songs are somber and touching, the faster songs on the album really hit hard. Two great examples would be the opening track, “All the World Is Mad” (which you might have downloaded for Guitar Hero: World Tour) and, later in the album, “At the Last” which has one of my favorite outros ever. "All the World Is Mad" has a great frenetic sound with a chorus that will quickly get stuck in your head.
This album is also Thrice at their greatest musically. Every song flows effortlessly and elegantly even in their more hardcore tracks. It might be worth noting, though, that, while this album is magnificent, it doesn't come close to toppling Thrice's masterpiece: Vheissu (which you should also check out). The album is available now digitally but will be physically released (with 5 bonus tracks!) on September 15. Go get it!