Unlimited Streaming
Listen to this album in high quality now on our apps
Start my trial period and start listening to this albumEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
SubscribeEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
Digital Download
Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.
Thrice enters conceptual territory with The Alchemy Index, a four-part homage to the classical elements of fire, water, earth, and air. Turning to prog rock is a tricky move for any band to make, particularly one on the Vagrant roster, and Thrice tackles the project's fire and water themes -- both of which are given their own EP and packaged together to comprise Alchemy's first double-disc set -- with a cumbersome approach. The problem isn't necessarily the music, since the "Fire" disc is very similar to Thrice's previous work. Rather, the group simply handles these discs too literally. "Fire" is predictably incendiary, with giant riffs and gruff, throaty vocals laying the foundation for such self-evident song titles as "Firebreather," "The Arsonist," and "Backdraft." The "Water" disc follows a similarly strict pattern, as ambient electronics and seafaring metaphors mix together for "Night Diving," "Digital Sea," and four other slow jams. These watery songs are actually quite good; their vaguely Coldplay-esque sound is a far cry from Thrice's hardcore past, but it's still refreshing to see the band stretch its boundaries with neo-Beach Boys harmonies, programmed percussion, and Dustin Kensrue's best Chris Martin impression. What The Alchemy Index lacks, then, is integration. There's no crossover between the two elements/styles, and the whole effort seems stilted as a result. Examining classical elements is a novel concept, but spreading that concept throughout four EPs, two double-disc sets, and two record releases does little more than dilute an otherwise strong set of songs.
© Andrew Leahey /TiVo
You are currently listening to samples.
Listen to over 100 million songs with an unlimited streaming plan.
Listen to this playlist and more than 100 million songs with our unlimited streaming plans.
From $10.83/month
Thrice, Performance, MainArtist
© 2007 BMG Rights Management (US) LLC d/b/a Vagrant Records ℗ 2007 BMG Rights Management (US) LLC d/b/a Vagrant Records
Thrice, Performance, MainArtist
© 2007 BMG Rights Management (US) LLC d/b/a Vagrant Records ℗ 2007 BMG Rights Management (US) LLC d/b/a Vagrant Records
Thrice, Performance, MainArtist
© 2007 BMG Rights Management (US) LLC d/b/a Vagrant Records ℗ 2007 BMG Rights Management (US) LLC d/b/a Vagrant Records
Thrice, Performance, MainArtist
© 2007 BMG Rights Management (US) LLC d/b/a Vagrant Records ℗ 2007 BMG Rights Management (US) LLC d/b/a Vagrant Records
Thrice, Performance, MainArtist
© 2007 BMG Rights Management (US) LLC d/b/a Vagrant Records ℗ 2007 BMG Rights Management (US) LLC d/b/a Vagrant Records
Thrice, Performance, MainArtist
© 2007 BMG Rights Management (US) LLC d/b/a Vagrant Records ℗ 2007 BMG Rights Management (US) LLC d/b/a Vagrant Records
Thrice, Performance, MainArtist
© 2007 BMG Rights Management (US) LLC d/b/a Vagrant Records ℗ 2007 BMG Rights Management (US) LLC d/b/a Vagrant Records
Thrice, Performance, MainArtist
© 2007 BMG Rights Management (US) LLC d/b/a Vagrant Records ℗ 2007 BMG Rights Management (US) LLC d/b/a Vagrant Records
Thrice, Performance, MainArtist
© 2007 BMG Rights Management (US) LLC d/b/a Vagrant Records ℗ 2007 BMG Rights Management (US) LLC d/b/a Vagrant Records
Thrice, Performance, MainArtist
© 2007 BMG Rights Management (US) LLC d/b/a Vagrant Records ℗ 2007 BMG Rights Management (US) LLC d/b/a Vagrant Records
Thrice, Performance, MainArtist
© 2007 BMG Rights Management (US) LLC d/b/a Vagrant Records ℗ 2007 BMG Rights Management (US) LLC d/b/a Vagrant Records
Thrice, Performance, MainArtist
© 2007 BMG Rights Management (US) LLC d/b/a Vagrant Records ℗ 2007 BMG Rights Management (US) LLC d/b/a Vagrant Records
Album review
Thrice enters conceptual territory with The Alchemy Index, a four-part homage to the classical elements of fire, water, earth, and air. Turning to prog rock is a tricky move for any band to make, particularly one on the Vagrant roster, and Thrice tackles the project's fire and water themes -- both of which are given their own EP and packaged together to comprise Alchemy's first double-disc set -- with a cumbersome approach. The problem isn't necessarily the music, since the "Fire" disc is very similar to Thrice's previous work. Rather, the group simply handles these discs too literally. "Fire" is predictably incendiary, with giant riffs and gruff, throaty vocals laying the foundation for such self-evident song titles as "Firebreather," "The Arsonist," and "Backdraft." The "Water" disc follows a similarly strict pattern, as ambient electronics and seafaring metaphors mix together for "Night Diving," "Digital Sea," and four other slow jams. These watery songs are actually quite good; their vaguely Coldplay-esque sound is a far cry from Thrice's hardcore past, but it's still refreshing to see the band stretch its boundaries with neo-Beach Boys harmonies, programmed percussion, and Dustin Kensrue's best Chris Martin impression. What The Alchemy Index lacks, then, is integration. There's no crossover between the two elements/styles, and the whole effort seems stilted as a result. Examining classical elements is a novel concept, but spreading that concept throughout four EPs, two double-disc sets, and two record releases does little more than dilute an otherwise strong set of songs.
© Andrew Leahey /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 12 track(s)
- Total length: 00:49:17
- Main artists: Thrice
- Label: Vagrant Records
- Genre: Pop/Rock Rock Alternative & Indie
© 2007 BMG Rights Management (US) LLC d/b/a Vagrant Records ℗ 2007 BMG Rights Management (US) LLC d/b/a Vagrant Records
Improve album informationWhy buy on Qobuz?
-
Stream or download your music
Buy an album or an individual track. Or listen to our entire catalog with our high-quality unlimited streaming subscriptions.
-
Zero DRM
The downloaded files belong to you, without any usage limit. You can download them as many times as you like.
-
Choose the format best suited for you
Download your purchases in a wide variety of formats (FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF...) depending on your needs.
-
Listen to your purchases on our apps
Download the Qobuz apps for smartphones, tablets, and computers, and listen to your purchases wherever you go.