10. “Deadbolt” – The Illusion of Safety
This is the first Thrice song I remember hearing. The way the song grabs you, and refuses to let go, is just amazing. The guitar heavy track berates you with chords, and Dustin’s angry voice tells a tale of lost love. This is also easily Thrice’s most popular song, and it is heavily requested at their shows. While I think Thrice has moved on as a band, you cannot make a list without the song that made Thrice what they are today.
9. “The Abolition of Man” – The Artist in the Ambulance
Also known as “The song that follows the title track”, this song opens up with a pounding drum beat, and it only gets better from there. Dustin is screaming over the drums, while a guitar is screeching in the background..and then the rest of the band comes in, shaking the foundation. One of the bands most powerful songs, it constantly assaults you, until the end. “The abolition of man is within the reach of science/ But are we so far gone that we’ll try it?” is what you hear being shouted at you, as Teppei, the lead guitarist, taunts you with a middle-eastern guitar riff. When this album was made, it had only been a year after Illusion, but you could already see the bands maturity.
8. “Stare at the Sun” – The Artist in the Ambulance
While I generally do not like putting singles on these lists, this song has to be mentioned. The lyrics in this song speak to me on a different level. If you listen to this song while reading the lyrics, you can understand why Dustin has become my favorite writer, in terms of music. The instruments also do not disappoint. The bass line in this song is simply staggering. It is a constant jog of notes. These products combined make an incredibly catchy song, thus earning the number 8 spot.
7. “The Lion and The Wolf” – The Alchemy Index Volume IV: Earth
Wow wow wow, this song is simply beautiful. While the Thrice I grew up with was ridden with instruments and noises, the Earth disc of The Alchemy Index shed new light on what this band was capable of. Using nothing more then a dirty piano, the band creates one of the most vivid and haunting songs I have ever heard. It is just a perfection of what Earth is, not to mention it has a very awesome title.
6. “Of Dust and Nations” – Vheissu
Coming from the album Vheissu, this song, and album, was a “pre-show” to what Thrice was becoming. There is just something magical about this album. It just has a certain feeling to it. The way the lead guitar is used in this song…it just blows my mind. Dustin’s mythic lyrics, the bands hardcore roots, and just general age, makes this song a standout for me. If you are not convinced of this songs worth, just wait till the ending. The sweeping, tapping of the guitar will send you off…drifting away…
5. “Weight of Glory” – Red Sky EP
Probably one of the bands least known songs, it is a damn shame that it did not make it onto the album. This song is just relentless, that is the only word that can fit it. A true culmination of what Thrice had become at the time. This song just scream “Hey, we’re not messing around.” Everything from the falling guitars, to the eerie background noises, to Dustin screaming “Go, and judge not, lest ye be judged with the girl and come down”, this song just makes my head spin. Powerful, brutal, spectacular. I am holding my breath until I see this song played live. I would also like to give a shout out to the other B-Side, Flags of Dawn, it is just as good as this one.
4. “Silhouette” – The Artist in the Ambulance
“Your eyes slit the throat of all I know…” Those lyrics should tell you whats in store. Udder brutality is what is in store. This song is just heaviness. The odd time signature throws you off guard, and then Dustin screams, essentially kicking your ears in the nuts. I still do not understand how this man has vocal chords. Does he gargle with gravel? The world may never know…
3. “The Messenger” – The Alchemy Index Volume I: Fire
How do you channel an element into music? For starters, be Thrice, then you might have a chance. While every other song on Fire is amazing, this song stood out. I will never forget the first time I heard the opening electronic beat found in this masterpiece. It caught me completely off guard. While it may be one of their shortest songs, it’s probably for the better. If this song had anymore added onto it, I would probably die from a symptom known as “awesome overload”. I can’t even…ugh…I do not understand how one would even begin to write a song like this. HERE I AM , SEND ME!!! stands as one of the best things to yell.
2. “Night Diving/ The Whaler” – The Alchemy Index Volume II: Water
That’s right, I am cheating. While these two songs are listed as being separate, I like to consider them one long, epic adventure. “Night Diving” is a peculiar song. It is Thrice’s only instrumental song to date, and man, what a song it is. Using instruments only, Thrice tells the story of a diver who is out at night. The fact that they can use solely instruments, and deliver a message so powerful, just blows my mind. Then, as the diver emerges from the depths, “The Whaler” kicks off right away. Electronic beats back up Dustin’s haunting voice. He speaks of a man going out to sea, and the hardships it bears on him and his family. One of the more personal songs, it speaks volumes. You can hear Dustin’s anguish as he sets sail (going on tour). This song will always give me goosebumps.
Honorable Mentions – Every song I did not mention. Seriously. Picking ten songs from a selection of about 70, is like picking my favorite movie or something. It cannot be done. Every time I wrote about one song, I would look back and find another one that I like just as much.
1. TIE
“The Earth Will Shake” – Vhessiu
Powerful, ground-shaking, epic. Am I describing Gods, or a band? I do not know anymore. “Look to the day, the earth will shake/These weathered walls will fall away” I just can’t say anymore. The most rocking ending to any song. There is a reason why Thrice closes with this song at the end of their set…
“Daedalus” – The Alchemy Index Volume III: Air
Oh Gods, why is this happening to me? Not only a lyric from the song, it also sums up how I feel. How can I possibly pick ten songs? But, this one holds a special place in my heart. The song is about Daedalus, and his son, Icarus. Dustin is singing from Daedalus’ point of view, as he watches his son plummet into the ocean. The guitars, the bass, the drums…everything just sums up the element of Air to me. Not to mention I am a HUGE mythology nerd.
In closing, I could pick ten completely different songs, and still could argue their significance. This is a topic I will not do again, seeing as how it goes against everything I believe in AKA you cannot rank art. It is all just simply amazing.
All lyrics taken from Thrice.
Music, notes, and all other information regarding the band can be found on their website.
www.thrice.net
