Thrice - To Be Everywhere Is To Be Nowhere (May 27, 2016) Album • Page 62

Seneca could've been this record's Circles or Wood and Wire, just add a smooth vocal from Dustin, some programmed or filtered drums and light keys… I really like that previous idea of the next record having "Seneca The Younger" which is a fleshed out, more expanded version of this.

That being said, I still like the idea of Seneca just having that guitar tone and Dustin's vocal a la AFI's The Leaving Song (only better). Maybe the programmed drums and keys come in late.

There are a few bands I love that build on, or continue, their segues from record to record.

I'm sure Riley will get a million "I wish Seneca was a full song like you originally considered" tweets.

 

So, I just called them and they messed up, somehow they couldn't find my product that was supposed to be shipped. So they had a few extras for these situations and they are sending my limited package expedited, but it won't get here till next Tuesday at the earliest. I'm just glad that I was able to get one.

 

@Kmil awesome that they're taking care of it! Kinda weird how long they're taking, though. I've never had a preorder not come at least a little earlier than the release date. Oh well, I'm just happy to (eventually) get it.

 

I think it's natural to those of us who are still with the band after all these years or for those people who didn't hear them until Artist or Vheissu. For the OG fans that were around since IC, TIoS and TAITA, they were the ones that were tough to please. Keep in mind, some publications pegged them as the next Metallica at one point.

I also think the age of discovery plays a part. If you're around the same age as the band, you likely grew out of the band's early sound at the same time they did. But, if you were a younger listener as of Vheissu and beyond, maybe you weren't ready to shift your taste quite yet. I used to love hardcore music, but it was just a phase at age 20. Throwdown, Eighteen Visions, Bleeding Through and Poison the Well ruled at the time. Speaking of which, I also love the progression that PTW made. You Come Before You is their Vheissu.

Once I heard Identity Crisis in 2000, I turned my friend on to them immediately but he was completely out once Vheissu came out. He felt betrayed in his words. I tried to change his mind many times but he couldn't handle the drop in tempo and energy as well as a less aggressive sound. Image is the only song he likes on Vheissu which is a shame. He's got great taste in music despite this but it's all high energy stuff. Even Thrice has criticized their music as being "sleepy" at times. They wrote Beggars with an intent to add more grooves and energy to their music.

During the hiatus, I heard Dustin say in interviews how his solo stuff allows him to write songs at tempos and energy levels that just do not work with Thrice. If you follow Riley's tumblr, you can hear that he prefers the sludgy, mid tempo stuff too so it makes sense why they stay in their comfort zone. Plus, it gives Dustin and Teppei more room to play with.

Personally, I like mid to down tempo songs as they're more powerful, moving and dramatic than uptempo stuff. That's why Deadbolt is such a great song because it's super fast but it's so powerful and moving at the same time. God, I wish they had written the outro during Illusion's sessions. The live versions are great either way. I digress...

 

Did not know Seneca was originally going to be a full song instead of an interlude, but I guess I should have known that just from listen ing to the song because it feels more like a fragment than an interlude.

 

I'm having my first listen and thought I'd give a track-by-track thoughts as I listen (so that I can compare further listens down the line).

Hurricane - strange opener, a lot of good parts but I’m unsure of it. Doesn’t really feel like an opener. Really like that heavier part towards the end. Disagree with the opinion that this could be their strongest opener, but I am massive on Vheissu and Beggars so those hold my top 2.

Blood on the Sand - it’s a good song, in your face and sets more of a tone for the album than I think Hurricane does. The bridge is great and it really does stick in your head.

The Window - I like when Thrice do this type of song but it doesn’t flow following on from previous song very well. The bridge to the built up outro is great though.

Wake Up - Quite a slow start - not sure how this song would be live - until that pre-chorus kicks in but I’m not sure about how powerful it really is. Riley’s drumming is brilliant though. Really like when it kicks in to be a fuller song in the last minute. Everything sounds really good there.

The Long Defeat - Really like the intro to this song. Dustin sounds really good. I like the kind of ‘go heavy, pull back’ thing this song does. I really like the outro, I’m a sucker for when Thrice do this with songs so I’m on board.

Seneca - This is nice. A really appreciated segue between Long Defeat and Black Honey. Would like to see a fleshed out version of this some day.

Black Honey - That intro still reminds me of La Dispute’s ‘Wildlife’ intro but Dustin sounds brilliant on this and I like this song a lot. Just such a good jam. Lyrics aren’t brilliant but I like how good the snare sounds throughout the album so far.

Stay with Me - Could’ve seen this in a slightly different form on Dustin’s most recent work. This song is huge and isn’t really like anything I’ve heard Thrice do. It’s quite refreshing to hear though. Dustin sounds really good on it and he doesn’t really sing the way he sings the line ‘stay with me’ often on this album so far but I like it. The bridge again is on point.

Death From Above - ‘Earth Will Shake’ instantly came to mind so I’m very on board with this song. Really enjoy those heavier riffs that mellow out and then builds slowly up again. Drumming great again. Love how Dustin sounds on this one.

Whistleblower - Quite an abrupt end from previous song in to this. That melodic riff leading is really nice. I like this song, it feels like a good progression from Beggars to be fair with Vheissu feel thrown in towards that end. The guitars at the bridge is a fantastic part. This will be redeeming with further listens. Easily the heaviest song on the album.

Salt and Shadow - Wish the end of Whistleblower had faded a bit more to give that opening riff a bit more grandeur. This is brilliant, this definitely feels like a deserved ending for the album. There’s so much subtle greatness in this song - definitely could be my favourite. I hold ‘Air’ in high regard in their catalogue. Lyrically best on the album too. I like the room that this song has and it never feels too minimal or too much. The outro makes me appreciate Hurricane as an opener more for the full circle feeling to the album.


Overall feelings after first listen:

It’s definitely Thrice. I do really like it and it’s definitely nice to hear. I think I’m going to enjoy getting into more listens. I like having an album to go different places - that’s the real test of a favourite album that no matter the situation you’re in that you listen and love it the same.

I think there’s a pacing problem and a bit of a song placement problem but maybe these will disappear with repeated listens. It’s the abruptness end to some then others begin. Sorry for the massive post but Thrice are one of the bands up there for me so this was important.

 

Yeah - Riley said they tried to do something more with it (briefly) but found a place for part of it in order to sequence the vinyl experience.

 

Anyone preorder a non-vinyl bundle through Thrice's store page and receive their stuff? My order still says "Processing" and I'm getting antsy.

 

Damn, that looks so nice, wish I had it in my hands now.

 

B E A Utiful

 

I wish this was streaming.

 

I'm not so sure yet. Went back and listened to Beggars this morning after TBEITBN, and there are higher highs on Beggars, imo. This new record lacks the punch of At The Last or the space of In Exile. To me, it's like Beggars and Major/Minor had a baby, and Vheissu comes over to babysit it occasionally.

 

Stay With Me is such a jam.

 

i didn't really like either of the singles but HOLY SHIT "HURRICANE"

 

I have a vinyl bundle and mine is still processing as well.

Gonna call them tomorrow if it hasn't been shipped yet, let me know how yours fares?

 

I'm now on my fifth listen today haha. I definitely love this. Beggars is still my favorite, but I didn't expect this to surpass it either. However, this is up there with The Alchemy Index sitting right behind Beggars.

 

Homie you need to chill just a little.

still love you tho bby

 

Pls make me stop.

 

gave this a second listen just now and it sort of exaggerated my initial thoughts--the songs I liked, I love, the songs that didn't work for me really didn't work. "Stay With Me" to the end is consistently great, the first half is spottier.

 

"The Long Defeat" is like an instant Thrice favorite for me. So good.

 

Why is this not streaming, Thrice? -.-

 

It'll be up on Apple Music and iTunes at 11 PM EST. for hose who haven't given in to the leak.

 

Still finding Whistleblower really jarring. My ears want to skip that one every time and just get to Salt & Shadow as soon as possible.

Comparing it to M/M, there are no songs as good as Words in the Water. Though, while it doesn't have those high highs, it also doesn't have the lows M/M does. However, it's far more consistent overall.

 

Taking a long walk right now...about to listen to the album in full for the first time. So excited.