Beggars, the latest record from post-hardcore rockers Thrice, opens with a loud bang, while the remainder of the album plays out like a bullet slowly losing its momentum.
Exiting the gun is the boisterous All The World Is Mad. Led off with a quick drum roll, a hurried distorted bass line and thrashing guitar riff, lead singer and guitarist Dustin Kensrue begins singing over the ferocious music Thrice is now fully-engaged in.
Loud And Raucous All The World Is Mad Leads Beggars
There is a very heavy weight accompanied with this melancholic message. Kensrue, who is known for his analytical spirit and distinct lyrical style, sounds panicked here, even depressed.
All The World Is Mad reads like a modern day excerpt from the biblical book Ecclesiastes, whose author was also failing to see hope in his world.
We are saints made of plaster, our laughter is canned;
We are demons that hide in the mirror.
But the blood on our hands paints a picture exceedingly clear.
We are brimming with cumbersome, murderous greed,
And malevolence deep and profound.
We do unspeakable deeds; does our wickedness know any bounds?
Something’s gone terribly wrong with everyone;
All the world is mad.
Darkness brings terrible things; the sun is gone-
What vanity! Our sad, wretched fires.
Teppei Teranishi Continues To Show Diversity With Guitar
Continuing the intensity is The Weight. Teppei Teranishi’s guitar riffs here have a sense of grandeur, while maintaining the hard Thrice sound fans have to come to appreciate and love over the band’s career.
Their experimentation seems to have no limits and songs like Circles and Doublespeak are a testament to their diverse creativity.
Circles is softer, almost Radiohead-esque with its intricate drumbeats and unconventional guitar playing, while a piano opens Doublespeak, slowly transforming into a piercing Teranishi riff, with added oomph from crashing cymbals.
In Exile Is A Standout Track
The fifth track, In Exile is perhaps the best song on the record. Through a gravely voice, Kensrue reveals his wandering spirit to us, leaving one to wonder if he wants to settle down or if he is even able to do.
The catchy opening guitar riff with an added delay effect is the perfect catalyst to carry the sentiment of the song.
I am in exile, a sojourner
A citizen of some other place
All I’ve seen is just a glimmer in a shadowy mirror
But I know, one day we’ll see face to face
I am a nomad, a wanderer
I have nowhere to lay my head down
There’s no point in putting roots too deep when I’m moving on
Not settling for this unsettling town
My heart is filled with songs of forever
The city that endures when all is made new
I know I don’t belong here, I’ll never
Call this place my home, I’m just passing through
From this point onwards, the music begins to slow down, entering an earth tone phase much like their last album The Alchemy Index.
Thrice has truly mastered their craft and Beggars is a testament to that accomplishment. The unnerving lyrics and musical experimentation; what more could a fan ask for?
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