Thrice – The Alchemy Index Vols. III & IV
Thrice released the second half of the 4 part concept album The Alchemy Index last week. Volumes III & IV are the Air and Earth discs and by far the greatest departures from Thrice’s style. I love this band, but maybe I am biased because I started listening to them when their debut album Identity Crisis came out in 2000 and have remain devoted to their music ever since. Dustin Kensrue has a unique writing style that elevates and creates depth in the music. I thought that the Earth disc would be my favorite because of the folk theme but to my surprise I took a lot more to the Air disc. It feels so mystical and is incredibly chilling at times. Its tracks feel a lot more natural and intuitive to Thrice than the Earth disc. Although my favorite track from Vols. III & IV is off the Earth disc, Come All You Weary. It is an amazing alt-country-rock track with beautiful religious overtones. Thrice undertook an impressive and risky project with the Alchemy Index. It was recorded in its entirety in their home studio with no producer, record label contracts, or deadlines. Whether you like it or not this album is Thrice in its truest and uninhibited form.
