Thrice
Beggars

Release Date: 2009 | Tracklist

Well I’ve done it. Months of hype and I’ve managed to dodge every temptation thrown my way to listen to Thrice’s Beggars before its true release date. While I could have downloaded the album off of itunes, I wanted to buy a hard copy of the CD to continue my ongoing collection that includes every album and EP. Pointless? Maybe. But it provides some insight as to why I am writing what must by now be a completely unnecessary review. So now that I achieved whatever smug feeling of accomplishment I was looking for, I can finally settle down and give Beggars a proper review.

One thing most fans will notice on Beggars is the near absence of heavier tracks. Like Water, Air, and Earth before it, Beggars has a sleepy feel to it. Although this suggests that the album will be boring, it is actually quite the opposite. Thrice seems to have hit a groove and every track belongs on the album, right in the order in which they placed it. There are only two exceptions to the album’s smooth, slow pace: "At The Last" and "Talking Through Glass". At The Last is the stronger of the two tracks, reminding me of something that could have been on The Artist and The Ambulance. Both songs boast a heavy introduction and slightly rougher vocals from Kensrue, but at the end of the day, they end up being relatively forgettable. They are both pretty standard Thrice songs, and neither branch out into anything that I would consider to be new. With that said however, Beggars also has its share of memorable moments. The opening track "All The World Is Mad" is catchy as can be, albeit more mainstream than the songs that follow. Dustin’s vocals are at the forefront, perhaps contributing to the song’s accessibility. It isn’t the best song on the album, but it hooks the listener and provides a worthy introduction to "The Weight"; a must-hear track from this album. It seems to be an all-inclusive song of the sounds of Thrice: It possesses nifty guitar work, soft vocals, screaming vocals, relatable lyrics…for some reason it reminds me of For Miles from Vheissu, which isn’t really an accurate comparison outside of the numerous styles included within the same song and the transition from soft to screaming vocals. In any case, "The Weight" is a definite highlight.

The real gems on the album once again come in the form of slower songs. Circles, a Water-influenced ballad, is as relaxing as it is beautiful – it takes you into a dream-like atmosphere created by Dustin’s soothing voice and the stripped down instrumentation – all the while rocking you to sleep with a simple back-and-forth type of drum beat. The guitar solo at the end is when the song elevates itself from “calming” to “breathtaking”. It isn’t a particularly difficult riff or anything, but it is so well placed in the song and adds an element of splendor to it that makes it feel epic. "In Exile" as well as "Wood and Wire" are also standout moments, creating an atmosphere as Circles does, but in a completely new and interesting way. "In Exile" is particularly intriguing, with an infectious beat and outstanding vocal rhythm that seems to lend itself to more of a folk style of music (something that Thrice seems to have adopted more and more, going back to The Alchemy Index: Earth).

Other than the excellent ballads, the big selling point on Beggars is without question the deep, intelligent, probing, and thought provoking nature of the lyrics. The best example to showcase this is the title track, which is also quite possibly the best song on the record. It examines how humans, no matter our class, stature, or accomplishments, are all ultimately powerless: All you great men of power, you who boast of your feats / Politicians and entrepreneurs / Can you safeguard your breath in the night while you sleep? Keep your heart beating steady and sure? / As you lie in bed does the thought haunt your head that you’re really, rather small? / If there’s one thing I know in this life we are beggars all. The lyrics in this song, as well as the ones that span the album, are so good that I have spent almost as much time reading the inside of the CD cover as I have listening to the music. Dustin Kensrue really outdid himself this time, and might have created their best lyrical album to date (which is saying a lot).

Despite all of this, when I look back at the album as a whole, I get an empty feeling. Outside of the ballads and top-notch lyrics, Beggars doesn't really bring anything new to the table. For a band that is labeled as experimental, as well as a band that I have watched and listened to as they grew into respected artists, I just don't feel blown away like I did with Vheissu, The Artist in the Ambulance, or The Illusion of Safety. It may need more time to sink in, but I have a feeling that time isn't the issue here. There simply isn't enough on Beggars to make me want to come back to it. As a listening experience, it is very good, but most of it sounds like standard, typical Thrice, which is amazing, but it isn't new. The lyrics and a handful of ballads save Beggars from being average, but they aren't enough to place this album among the likes of Thrice's best work.

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3.9 excellent

Rank: #146 for 2009