I felt as though I really should have listened to Thrice before this. I discovered the second half of
The Alchemy Index in a music store that was going out of business, a testament to a economy in turmoil and the ever expanding decline of physically purchasing an album. I start by saying this about this "Index", the packaging is breathtaking. Of course this is a slight exaggeration but it must be noted that what Thrice have created a piece art, or as it seems on the surface. However now I focus my efforts on what is truly important, that of which is of audible value. And with that we allow ourselves to fall into the adventure that is
The Alchemy Index: Vol III & IV.
Disc 1: Air
Exemplifying the very feeling of
air itself is a vocalist who's name I don't quite feel is important, not at this time at least. What is important however is how smoothly textured his voice is against the grain of soft drum patterns intertwining with the beautifully paced guitar sprinkles. Like a glittering flow of glass
"Broken Lungs" sets the tone for disc one quite nicely.
"The Sky is Falling" only continues this fashion with a simple, yet entrancing in the fullest. The presence of air not only in the form of smooth flowing qualities but also in lightly harsh confides, the rushing of crashing invisibility.
"A Song For Milly Michaelson" might easily bring me to tears, the vocalist dropping to just above a whisper. Lyrically brilliant, in the most heartfelt of ways.
"Well you know I hardly speak, when I do it's just for you, I haven't said a word in weeks", I feel being those of the most passionate importance.
The second half of
Air starts off smoothly with a silent epic,
"Daedalus". An intrinsic interlay of soft guitar and accompanying bass play propel the track in a silky fashion. What really makes the song so moving however is the way the mythological story of Icarus and Daedalus fits so perfectly with the song. The song climaxes to a break with the afflicted father questioning God about the tragedy that has been bestowed upon him.
And now you took the only thing that meant anything to me,
I will never fly again I will hang up my wings.
"As the Crow Flies" falls into an even more downcast mood. The vocal output stays the same pace throughout the song accompanied by soft piano play. For the most part the song is quite uneventful. But like the rest of
Air it flows nicely into the best song in the index,
"Silver Wings". The vocals are soft, the chiming is perfect and everything about the song simply pours air around the listener. The track is also quite sad, the lyrics collectively poetic create the somber mood.
From tender years you took me for granted
But still I deign to wander through your lungs
While you were sleeping soundly in your bed,
Your drapes were silver wings, your shutters flung.
Disc 2: Earth
Earth honestly wasn't quite what I had expected. Nevertheless the first track
"Moving Mountains" certainly gives off a very "earthy" feel. Not in a pounding or brooding manner, much more laid back. The guitar work for the first track cry "desert tavern" and I can feel the dust settling on a glass of whiskey that isn't really there.
"Digging My Own Grave" seems surprisingly like love ballad, or maybe a ballad of lost love.. The piano would have to be the standout trait of this song. Simply but cleverly winding at all the right places. The persistently melancholy lyrics are again apparent, as the title of the track suggest.
"The Earth Isn't Humming" is where
Earth really starts to make its tone. The opening guitar line seems to be on a slightly odd time signature and its instantly fluid with the bass. The guitar throughout this track really stand out, a clicking sequence recalling some sort of old west theme being my favorite.
"The Lion and the Wolf" again makes nice use of the piano however the slower midsection of the song when the soft chants break in is where I feel the song shines most. One negative thing that could be said about the track (as well as a few others) is the lack of variety in tempo. They're all sort of slow and if you aren't looking for something slow then there is really no reason to look into this in the first place.
"Come All You Weary" creates a theme in a laid back fashion. The guitar work is steady, nothing really ear catching though. Nothing really eventful about that song in fact..
"Child of Dust" sadly follows suit with being on the slightly boring side. I feel the vocals don't fit the song and by this point in the Index, I was hoping for more lush bass play or sweeping drums. All things that could have easily added along to the "earth" feel. So all in all I was pretty disappointed with the last two tracks from
Earth.
Yet despite a few below average tracks I really feel that
The Alchemy Index: Vol III & IV is unique and worth a listen. I again say this is the first time I have ever really took any time with Thrice. I pleasantly enjoyed my listening experience.
