How do as humans, quantify music? Critique and rate art? Come up with systems, formulas, or opinions that review, rate, and rank forms of music; such as albums, songs, discographies, or bands and artists?
The how is irrelevant. The point is, we do, and have been doing it for decades. But to what end?
Does a music review really change anything about the music itself? Is it supposed to dramatically change the opinions of the people who want to listen to that music? Even if a review or rating alters one’s opinion, that recorded piece of music is still there, and will still impact, inspire, move and change people.
I have written reviews on albums, and as I look back on those, my opinions have definitely changed over the years. My tastes have evolved, and I have become much more comfortable in just enjoying music, simply because it moves my soul, and not because it meets my criteria.
A band that has continually moved my soul for the better part of twenty years is Thrice.
Yet, I cannot review this new record they have made. It would not be fair to the pointlessly critical people who want them to meet the criteria of a band they may want to give their time to. Right? I won’t review or rate them, or Horizons/east. Their 11th studio album.
Instead, I will simply tell you that due to their seasoned and hardy experience as pioneers in the early 2000’s “emo/post-punk” scene, to the more modern offerings of their satisfyingly evolved sound; they are a group of four men who understand how to make music from the heart.
Music that does not fit a genre, a style, or criteria. No.
Simply music that moves and lives and comes from pure organic conviction and present circumstance. Thrice’s art actually transcends criteria and ratings, as it comes in like a flood that does not destroy, but rather leaves a lush forest of life.
Yes, you could call it “rock music.” It is based on rock and roll, but one thing Thrice does so well is they open up their base style and let in anything that elevates their songs to new heights.
Dustin Kensrue, the lead singer, lyricist, and rhythm guitarist, is no stranger to ripping his heart open and penning it into the lyric book.
He ventures to satisfy, or people-please no one; instead, he writes with prose and intelligence. He challenges you to think on topics from a different perspective, and one of his most endearing qualities is weaving unwavering hope, love, and fatherliness into his lyrics.
Teppei Teranishi, the lead guitarist, vocalist, piano/keys player, and all-around master songsmith helps edge each song out beautifully with strong riffs, and candescent melodies. He pulls the songs together slightly better than he shreds them apart; all with the purpose to create unpredictable parts that always satisfy.
Eddie Breckenridge plays the bass like a jazz musician who grew up on early 80’s hardcore stages. His ebb and flow is always the perfect companion to the timely drums and the atmosphere created by the guitars. His bass fits in their valley like the welcoming river.
Those timely drums are kept in perfect sync by Eddie’s brother Riley Breckenridge. He is as reliable as can be, and his progressive styles through the years have kept the band ever fresh and always solid.
Now, as of September 17th, 2021, they have released their 11th studio album. When I first heard “Deadbolt” blast through my speakers circa 2002, I obviously had no idea that I would hear, let alone write about their 11th record!
HORIZONS/EAST
This record is so indicative of where this band is at currently; creating through the pandemic, seeing their country and communities go through hell.
Kensrue runs a podcast entitled Carry The Fire, where he interviews people from all walks of life about many relevant topics, and that also seems to serve in inspiration for this record. The lyrics range from personal anguishes and triumphs to global disruptions that are changing history. All words are placed perfectly, and sung so well by Kensrue! He has never sounded better.
Musically, it is as rich and diverse as you would expect it to be, and maybe even more so.
It carries a heavyweight to it, while simultaneously creating lots of breathing room and letting the spaces in between the notes be as musical as the strongest riffs. The feeling of the album is multi-dimensional and hard to pin down; which I find to be a good thing. Hence why I cannot “review” it, but I just want to write about it.
It would be a waste of time to try and determine if I should give this an “F” or “A”; and for you to read my useless comparisons to their previous works. Thrice is a band that has naturally evolved in musical styles over the years and has found a very rare strain of band chemistry and inspiration to always be successful at it. Albeit, maybe not always universally successful, but there’s more than one reason they are still a full-time band!
The opening track “The Color of the Sky” is something so utterly open and different that I can’t yet decide if I love it or really love it.
It is not your average track one ‘banger’, but sets a tone for the album like the sunrise sets the tone for the day. The next song, “Scavengers” is so soothing. It is groovy and heavy, and oh so cool. “Buried In The Sun” has Kensrue sounding better than ever. Screaming/yelling, yet balanced out with cleans.
Horizons/East continues with songs like “Northern Lights” and “Summer Set Fire to the Rain” that continue to take you on a journey, and also stop you in your tracks. I am not sure of the intent behind this, but you know, it is not often that we get records that do more than just serve as workout music or background noise.
Thrice intentionally write their records to be a cohesive piece of art, each song unique and diverse, but the entire concept is to be consumed as a whole.
It demands to be so much more than just background noise and is best taken in with a truly open heart and mind. Let me mention that on this helping from Thrice, Eddie’s bass is so prominent. This grips the drums and vocals and pulls it all in, and helps this whole album shine. “Northern Lights” and “Still Life” are perfect examples of that. The instrumentation as a whole is near perfect, yet the album sounds as if it was recorded life; raw and dirty.
You need to take a true and undistracted listen to Horizons/East. Put on some headphones, sip your favorite drink and just soak it in without skipping a song. I can, at the very least, promise you that you will be moved. In which direction, I cannot predict, but the entire point is in fact… to BE moved!
I have seen many, many opinionated “reviews” of Horizons/East online, and it is actually quite disappointing to see how many people are resorting to the negative. I read posts that read something like this:
‘The new album is nothing like their old stuff. It is not heavy and it just does not have the same energy…they are not the same band they used to be. People are complaining about small things like cymbal sounds and sounding like Radiohead!
Who the hell are we to judge Horizons/East, or any album, based on what we think it should be?
If you can stomach an entire listen-through of this new masterpiece, my hope is that you will naturally come to realize that this record is not for “YOU” … it was made for everyone; that alone makes it absolutely beautiful. It was made for everyone who would listen, and for those who won’t listen, because those are the ones who need a record like this the most.
I have quit trying to review music. I simply want to share music.
Thrice wants to create music that causes our souls to be lifted, to be challenged, and at the very least, to be moved. Above all our opinions, that is a quality that all music fans should respect. Horizons/East certainly achieves all of that and more, and if we can’t appreciate it for what it is, we miss the entire point. We so often want to be pleased instantly and immediately; we cancel anything that doesn’t give us instant gratification.
This is why I am grateful Thrice continues to create after all these years. They create a landscape and an atmosphere that, if we give it a chance, and go on the time-consuming journey, we will be better for it. Every little note may not meet all of our pathetic standards, but the wholistic realm of what they have lovingly crafted will seep into our sour souls and cause us to drink the sweet dandelion wine.
Horizons/East is now available at Epitaph Records.