Thrice - Palms (September 14, 2018) Album • Page 155

If to be everywhere is Dustin being pissed off at the state of the world..

I feel like palms is him making some sort of peace with how things are, and the things you can’t always control. Still upset but not nearly as pissed off? Idk does that make sense to anyone?

 

I didn’t view M/m as preachy. I 100% believe struggle is apart of a biblical Christian life. To me these records just show different aspects of a Christian worldview.

Again though, with my background, I have heard songs be waaaaaaay more preachy. To me, Dustin is speaking to what he sees as truth when he writes where as your more typical “preachy” song is actively trying to convert or pull in someone. I’ve never viewed any Thrice song in that way.

Based on posts in this thread, I am in the minority of that view though haha

 

I do think this is a less “pissed off” album.

I need to listen more and digest the lyrics more, but based on my 7 or so spins, most of the anger here is kind of at himself or all people. But not to hate, but to admonish and rebuke. Does that make any sense?

Also the theme of calling out those in power who should be doing good but abuse their power is showcased in The Dark fairly strongly.

 

I’m really glad I only listened to The Grey and even that only a couple times before the album release.

 

Branch in the River is really powerful lyrically.

Also, Hold Up a Light. It is a really stellar song, and I think it’s going to grow on people.

 

I mean, I like it, but it’s the weakest song to me.

It’s also the song closest to M/m lyrically speaking on this album, imo. Which may explain why many others don’t like it as much. Maybe?

 

I grew up with my parents listening to nothing but Christian AM radio, so I'm with you on not finding anything overtly "preachy" in Thrice's discography heh. But some of his Modern Post stuff, for sure, though.

 

But Modern Post was straight up a worship album. If the Christianity is not overt, it cannot be classified as “worship” music.

Water and the Blood was solid too.

 

On another note, I can't get over how catchy that bassline is in Just Breathe. Eddie deserves a ton of praise for this album for sure

 

You obviously are more knowledgeable than me when it comes to the subject, although I am Christian some stuff on Major/minor made me cringe, mainly all of "Listen Through Me"

 

I don't think any song on M/M outside of "Listen Through Me" is at all preachy. And, I'm staff at a church, and I still consider my childhood favorite album, Jesus Freak by dc Talk, my all time favorite album. So, I'd like to think I have a pretty solid grasp on what preaching is, lol.

 

(And, I happen to personally dig "Listen Through Me," which feels like a tasteful version of preachy songwriting, but one natural aspect of preaching is that it ain't gonna be for everyone, lol. If it were, it wouldn't really be "preaching" so much as "stating something obvious.")

 

You never experienced The Boreds, eh?

lol

 

Listen Through Me gives me chills everytime. “It is finished” is such a beautiful part of Christian belief.

Love that song, always will.

Also love the line, “This story’s an offense so get down from your fence and bless or curse.”

 

I’m not religious in the least but I’ve always liked Listen Through Me

 

I am suuuuper anti-religion in every aspect possible, but Dustin's lyrics have never really bugged me that much. I think TAITA and IOS helped inform me growing up and made me think about things in a serious manner, and honestly, I credit Dustin as part of the reason I am who I am today. (I'm not as abrasive as I may come off on this board, If so I apologize, friends!)

I still think In Exile's and Listen Through Me's lyrics are super cheesy and lame (and dislike the basic AF music), but other than those I can't think of too many others I actively dislike. I literally have heard Listen Through Me probably only 5 times, so maybe that's why I don't even think of that one. Never once clicked for me, similar to Wake Up, Stay With Me and Sea Change.

 

If you drift from your faith for a bit and come back after years of serious questioning (to an extent rejection), you'll have a wholly new perspective on what preachy might sound like. My dad is a Methodist pastor and I grew up in that environment for 20 years, but after spending quite some time away from it...? I can definitely understand why one from a dissimilar background would call M/M preachy.

Not trying to knock you at all, just conversing.

edit: DC Talk's "It's Killing Me" from Supernatural was at the time what I thought was hardcore music lol

 

I AM HERE FOR THE M/M love. Let’s do it!

I personally think Listen through me rocks hard and I’m not a Christian.

I also don’t think it’s as preachy as people say it is. I here it more as biblical story telling..

 

NOOOOOOO... "In Exile" is my favorite Thrice song by such a large margin, lol. So beautiful.

No problem. Sounds like your journey involved way more wondering than mine did, but I did go through a season of major wrestling and doubt, which still majorly impacts my current relationship to faith. So, I'm not exactly a stranger to that. And, through that lens, I don't see M/M outside of "Listen Through Me" as preachy. The rest feels like just honest expression of one's beliefs, which certainly isn't "preachy." Like, when I hear that kinda expression of other faiths or a lack of faith, it doesn't bother me.

I will say that I can see how someone who was majorly hurt by religion would be triggered by expressions of said religion, and I obviously respect that. But, I'd say that's a different matter than preachiness.

And, yeah, "It's Killing Me" is a jam, lol. It's wild how well dc Talk has aged for me. Maybe it's just because I'm also a big fan of comic books, but I've got such a soft spot for the simple, sincere, corny fun of them and Audio Adrenaline. There's an honesty and lack of self-seriousness that I really connect to.

 

I would agree with you, but a couple moments lyrically (including the title) get into the prescriptive, didactic territory that I'd personally call "preachy" (for better or for worse). It's more humble in some ways than some music that'd gain that descriptor. But, like, I think even this iconic 90s Christian jam is less preachy than "Listen Through Me":

(I've used "preachy" more times today than in the last, like, year or so combined, lol. At least it's a nuanced conversation.)

 

Great jam

 

What made you cringe?

A lot of stuff on M/m felt familiar to me with Thrice. From songs like Like Moths to Flame, The Messenger, Come All You Weary, the large majority of the album Beggars (huge chunks of it are just Dustin signing about classic Reformers writing and scripture/theological ideas and themes, hell the title of the album is from a line that was allegedly Martin Luther’s final written words), For Miles, etc...

It was never the big departure to me that so many say it is. It felt like a natural progression to me, especially after Beggars.

 

In exile is an amazing song

 

You can add Wood and Wire to that list too. Hell, even In Your Hands. I never really thought it was a huge departure but I can understand people not being a fan of how straightforward the Christian themes are on Major/Minor.

Edit: For some reason I always imagined In Exile as being about life on the road even though it’s obviously about Christianity and heaven.

 

Wood and Wire.

Love love love that song.