October 16, 2007
New Tunes Tuesday #5
Each Tuesday we will feature new music that should (or whatever) be on your radar.
Standouts:
1. Thrice - The Alchemy Index, Vol 1 & 2: The juxtaposition of fire and water is felt on these two separate EP's that Thrice entitles, "The Alchemy Index." Thrice's investigation into nature doesn't stop with Volumes I & II - they'll continue on with Volumes III & IV in Spring of 2008. Pushing their musical boundaries, Volume I features their "signature" or familiar sound while Volume II pushes Thrice into a completely different soundscape.
The rage of fire is completely encapsulated in the first EP with its screaming vocals and huge guitar riffs. The force of nature is felt in the powerful, "Firebreather" - though filled with rage, the listener feels the wrath of a 4-alarm fire without any professional response. You are left with a gaping, simmering hole. With the background keyboards (that sound a bit like a chorus of angels) on "Burn the Fleet," Thrice has created a world of kings who are fighting to victory. Victory that comes with the price of death. "But the fire continues to rise, and it shows not a hint of any fear in our eyes." An anthem of courage and triumph, Thrice continues to create an inferno of fury and immediacy that comes with the very nature of fire.
Volume II changes, completely. The haunting, yet somehow soothing, "Open Water" creates instant imagery with the words, "I am drowning, in a digital sea. I am slipping beneath the sound." The mix of electronicism and Dustin Kensrue's vocals is mesmerizing and intoxicating, something that is new to Thrice. "I'm cold and alone, drifting in the open sea. Caught up in regret, tangled in nets, instead of your arms wrapped around me." Thrice found the power of the sea and set it to music with perfection. Though we don't hear the sea's rage, we do feel the heartache and pulsating rush of the waves and the calm after the storm.
Download: "Burn the Fleet," "Digital Sea" and "Open Water"
To win a free copy of Thrice's album, take the jump...
Enter the contest below to win a free copy of this week's STANDOUT: Thrice - The Alchemy Index, Vol. I & II. (Three winners will be chosen when contest closes on October 18th. Form must be filled out in entirety.)
Remember, if you win, a notification will be sent to you at the email address you provide in the contest form, usually a day or so after the contest ends. So please keep an eye on your inbox and junk mail folder for a message from us. Thanks, and good luck!
Please Let Us Know What You Think About:
1. R.E.M. - R.E.M. Live 2CD: It's R.E.M. - what's there not to like? Though we wish it was filled with new music we are completely content listening to "Orange Crush" over and over. There's also a DVD attached to this as well.
2. Kenna - Make Sure They See My Face: Kenna, an Ethiopian-born American musician, has fronted Dave Gahan on his latest tour (back in 2003). If he's good enough for Gahan, then we are willing to give it a try.
3. Blue October- Foiled for the Last Time: This 2 CD features all their greatest hits plus 30 minutes of exclusive behind the scenes and live footage. Perfect for any loyal fan.
4. Erasure - Storm Chaser: Erasure continues to put out EP's and remixes, this time from their latest studio album. We wonder how many CD's can one band produce? (Looks like close to 75, counting singles and compilations)
5. The Fray - Reason EP: Selling out concert arenas this summer, we wonder why The Fray is only giving us an EP? Then we realized that this is a re-release of their 2003 stuff. We want new stuff. Now.
6. Jimmy Eat World - Chase This Light: With mixed reviews, Jimmy Eat World's 6th studio album, hasn't totally impressed. Words such as, "uneven" or "exhilarating" have been used to describe their latest efforts.
Upcoming Holiday Music:
1. Jars of Clay - Christmas Songs: Jars of Clay (featured above) are already for winter. With what we have heard on their website ("Wonderful Christmastime" was our favorite) we are definitely buying this new Christmas album.
2. Toby Keith - A Classic Christmas: We guess if you are into country and Toby Keith, then this might be a great album to buy, but we couldn't stand it.
Guilty Pleasure for the Week:
Yes, we know it's not real music but we heard it for the first time this weekend and it's been stuck in my head EVER since! The catchy, rhythmic beat is extremely funny and it's popularity has spawned several remixes and ridiculous parodies. All a waste of time but perfect for work. (Yes, we also realize that this is "So... six months ago," but again we just found it this weekend.)
Photos courtesy of:
Thrice: FILTER
R.E.M.: Amazon.com
Erasure: Amazon.com
Jars of Clay: Website Press Photos
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I know you don't list everything that comes out, but last week M83 slipped out an album with little "fanfare." I forgot about it as most did, but I think it should be mentioned!
I can't decide if I should get the live REM or not. Anyone buy it yet? Is it worth it?
Thanks for the tip - I downloaded M83 last night and checking it out now!
Still haven't heard REM yet....