I am blessed with great friends and luckily, for me, they even like music too (bad excuse for a joke, I know). Seriously though, Will Shears is a long time friend who not only has a great heart, but also has a brilliance with words. I hope you enjoy his post.
It’s not often that one finds themselves in the midst of an album that captivates and invokes such a response that it needs to be shared with the world who are otherwise oblivious. It’s human nature to aimlessly pursue the beauty in all facets of life; with all that goes on in the world and our lives the thought of finding anything that affords us even the smallest glimpse at something we can appreciate is enough to keep us searching for as long as necessary. I consider myself one of the people who personally finds such beauty in well written, emotionally executed, and insightful music. It’s condescending and a bit arrogant for me to simply say I listen to “good music.” Good is a matter of perspective and thus something most people find subjective and of personal preference. But we can ALL say that we enjoy songs that are well written and make us go “wow that’s exactly how I’m feeling.”
With the release of their eighth album, Thrice has remained one of the most consistent rosters I have listened to, and arguably in the music industry. With no roster changes, an endless array of versatile style, and bold and provocative lyrics from Dustin Kensrue, the band has come so very far in the nine years I have listened to them. Thrice is one of the many bands, like Linkin Park (another favorite of mine), who hail from harder-rock roots. Originally classified as a post-hardcore band renowned for their intense and well executed riffs, complex tempo changes, and Dustin Kensrue’s shredded lyrics, Thrice has matured into more of an alternative, experimental rock group who has found that screaming need not always be necessary to leave an impression. Where Kensrue once left crowds head banging at the climax of songs, he now leaves them in awe the whole way through with a melodically captivating voice that truly paints the image with words sketched in ink.
Major/Minor takes the route that I was desperately hoping it would after I had bought their previous album Beggars. Beggars in my opinion was their most lyrically gifted album that delivered not only a clear and concise point, but showed people that Thrice was simply more than another band “transitioning”, but rather a band trying to bridge the gap between their roots and their future. Needless to say, Beggars left me with all the confidence in the world that this would be achieved, but not quite with that album. Like Linkin Park’s A Thousand Suns I wanted Thrice to touch base with their roots, and kind of bring more of that harder edged rock, to a newer style and lyrical prowess. Major/Minor is everything I hoped that it would be. With a deep-set array of songs that range from tales of domestic abuse (Yellow Belly) to ones that feign the question of our self-destructive tendencies (Promises), Thrice has seemingly taken issues that are popular yet relevant and often taboo, and backed by the sensational lyrics of Dustin Kensrue, are able to invoke a sense of humility and understanding.
Often times Thrice fans, or those who have heard some of their songs have asked, is Thrice a Christian rock band due to the undeniable faith of lead singer Dustin Kensrue, who has professed being devout many times. I can honestly say that while I think they obviously are not, it is Dustin Kensrue’s faith which allows him to continue to deliver morally positive lyrics, backed by a strong emotional undertone. He’s deeply in touch with the fact that he’s human, and that as humans we are deeply flawed, but also that there’s beauty and destruction in this simple fact. These days I don’t think many artists touch on something so deep and personal and so they are often “one hit wonders” or simply something people enjoy in the moment. I can safely say if you’re someone who is constantly searching for that song that empathizes with you, that raises the bigger questions while answering the smaller ones, Major/Minor is absolutely an album you should consider listening to.
Rating: 90/100
-- Will ShearsWith the release of their eighth album, Thrice has remained one of the most consistent rosters I have listened to, and arguably in the music industry. With no roster changes, an endless array of versatile style, and bold and provocative lyrics from Dustin Kensrue, the band has come so very far in the nine years I have listened to them. Thrice is one of the many bands, like Linkin Park (another favorite of mine), who hail from harder-rock roots. Originally classified as a post-hardcore band renowned for their intense and well executed riffs, complex tempo changes, and Dustin Kensrue’s shredded lyrics, Thrice has matured into more of an alternative, experimental rock group who has found that screaming need not always be necessary to leave an impression. Where Kensrue once left crowds head banging at the climax of songs, he now leaves them in awe the whole way through with a melodically captivating voice that truly paints the image with words sketched in ink.
Major/Minor takes the route that I was desperately hoping it would after I had bought their previous album Beggars. Beggars in my opinion was their most lyrically gifted album that delivered not only a clear and concise point, but showed people that Thrice was simply more than another band “transitioning”, but rather a band trying to bridge the gap between their roots and their future. Needless to say, Beggars left me with all the confidence in the world that this would be achieved, but not quite with that album. Like Linkin Park’s A Thousand Suns I wanted Thrice to touch base with their roots, and kind of bring more of that harder edged rock, to a newer style and lyrical prowess. Major/Minor is everything I hoped that it would be. With a deep-set array of songs that range from tales of domestic abuse (Yellow Belly) to ones that feign the question of our self-destructive tendencies (Promises), Thrice has seemingly taken issues that are popular yet relevant and often taboo, and backed by the sensational lyrics of Dustin Kensrue, are able to invoke a sense of humility and understanding.
Often times Thrice fans, or those who have heard some of their songs have asked, is Thrice a Christian rock band due to the undeniable faith of lead singer Dustin Kensrue, who has professed being devout many times. I can honestly say that while I think they obviously are not, it is Dustin Kensrue’s faith which allows him to continue to deliver morally positive lyrics, backed by a strong emotional undertone. He’s deeply in touch with the fact that he’s human, and that as humans we are deeply flawed, but also that there’s beauty and destruction in this simple fact. These days I don’t think many artists touch on something so deep and personal and so they are often “one hit wonders” or simply something people enjoy in the moment. I can safely say if you’re someone who is constantly searching for that song that empathizes with you, that raises the bigger questions while answering the smaller ones, Major/Minor is absolutely an album you should consider listening to.
Rating: 90/100
Thrice -- "Yellow Belly"
Thrice -- "Promises"
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