Band : Thrice
Album title : Beggars
Label : Hassle Records – Vagrant Records
Distributor : PIAS
Release date : 15/09/2009
Release : CD

One can’t help being in awe for this band. When looking at the release dates of their albums, one finds the band has released a new studio album almost every year since 2001 (exceptions are 2004 and 2006). Also, the guys have progressed throughout their outcome, growing from the rather simple Punk Rock from their beginning days towards a more Rock oriented sound which also includes progressive elements. The band’s last studio albums, the two double-EP Alchemy Index releases (which due to their individual lengths, were looked upon as full-length releases – by the way, their reviews posted 15/11/2007 and 27/04/2008, as well as the review of the band’s December 2008 released 2CD + DVD live album Live At The House of Blues – review posted 15/01/2009 – will provide you with all the necessary info about this band’s antecedents) certainly was the highpoint of the band’s evolution up to that point.

Those among you whom thought that after the rather varied Alchemy Index releases, the band might come back with a more lively album, may very well be disappointed when listening to the overal subdued sounds on the band’s new album. Although…there IS an incredible beauty in these 10 songs, and the subdued factor sure brings out the most varied vocal delivery in frontman Dustin Kenrue! Now don’t go worrying if the band’s heavier pieces are what you went for in the old days…because there’s still quite a few “heavy” passages on this album as well. It’s just that they’re brought with such a nice…tendency to Progressive build-up?…restraint?…deliberate intent?…that they flow into that “overall subdued” character of the album. Quite a bit of use of piano on this album as well, by the way!

I ain’t sure whether the band has posted tracks off this new album at myspace.com/thrice (because I forgot to check) but even if that ain’t the case you’ll be able to listen to samples of each track at Amazon.com. Personally, I’ve already put the band’s last three albums in my year-lists, and Beggars simply can’t avoid going the same way!

98/100

Tony.