Thrice "The Alchemy Index: Volume I & II. Fire & Water" 2007, Vagrant.. a review

Thrice is back with the first installment of the Alchemy Index, which is their interpretation of Fire and Water. It’s great to hear Thrice experimenting and creating a new sound. At first I felt a little underwhelmed when I listened to this album. I thought it sounded like they had got a little too caught up in the conceptual ideas of the albums, but after really paying attention to what was going on, I started to appreciate it more and more for what they were trying to achieve. I don’t feel like they have completely reached the top of what could be done, but there is also another installment to come. I’m really looking forward to Earth and Air after listening to this album. I think it’s gonna pull the whole idea of the elements together and lift the Alchemy Index up to a level that Thrice hasn’t achieved before.

Fire-
YOU NEED TO HEAR–
-Burn the Fleet (#5) Right when you hear the first chords of this song you know it’s gonna be one that you’ll listen to over and over. It starts of very crunchy, heavy and it melts into this dreamy guitar sound and peaceful vocals. The vocals were interesting because even though it had a dreamy sound, I could hear a firey undertone, seriously, not just because it’s the “Fire” album. Then it kicks back into that crunchy heavy guitar and harder vocals. It’s really an intricate song that will take you a few listens to appreciate every part of it, but you’ll realize the talent after 1 listen.

-Firebreather (#1) The beginning of this song is so creepy. It sounds like a tornado warning and it just makes you feel like you’re in the middle of a disaster. It’s a surprisingly catchy song, not catchy in a POP kinda way. It’s much more subtle. After listening to it, I kept finding myself thinking of this song. It really stuck with me and I don’t find that happening to me much.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE TIME YOU CAN SKIP –
-The Flame Deluge (#6) it’s a shame because Dustin Kensrue’s voice is so full of passion. You can basically hear his voice ripping out of his throat, but it seems to take a back seat to the music in the mix.

Water-
YOU NEED TO HEAR –
-Open Water (#2) Even though this song has some of those computerized, overproduced elements, they seem to work together a lot more and there are more organic elements brough into the mix. It’s a very emotional song and every part is able to portray that.

-Night Diving (#4) – This is the first time on Water that we hear some straight guitar and drums, no synths or computer tracks. There are no vocals, but it’s nice to see that they can conceptualize the element of Water without being watered down or over produced, which seemed to happen sometimes on the other songs.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE TIME YOU CAN SKIP –
-Digital Sea (#1) Again, this is a shame because Kensrue’s voice sounds so amazing. This sound is completely different than the one you hear on The Flame Deluge. It’s so serene and peaceful, but the music can get a little repetitive. It sounded like a lot of computerized over produced parts, which was probably what they were going for, but it’s nice to have all components of the song work together.

(photo credit www.alchemyindex.com)

Limbeck Interview

Hey guys, so I had a rad interview with Limbeck after their show at the U of M on Friday (the 7th). I'm sure you don't just want to read the transcript of the interview cuz that can get long, so I've come up with a plan! I'm breaking the interview up into 3 sections. The first one deals with recording “Hi Everythings Great”, working with Ed Rose and the Bryant Lake Bowl. It will be up on Tuesday, maybe Wednesday if I sleep in. Maybe Monday if I skip class. At the end of that section I'll let you know what the next part of the interview will be up and what it's about. So keep checking back, it's gonna be fun.

Concerts You Need to See in December

Don Decker Benefit show with Iron Maidens – December 1st @ Station 4
Now don’t get this mixed up with Iron Maiden. This is “the world’s only” female Iron Maiden tribute act. They’re coming all the way from L.A, I don’t know what this benefit is for, but you can’t go wrong with a female Iron Maiden.

Panoramic Blue – December 1st @ Red Carpet (st.cloud) (21+)

Iron Maidens – December 2nd @ Station 4

Write This Down, Tomorrow’s Forgotten – December 6th @ The Quarry (SCSU, FREE)
Free shows are good for your health.

McKinley Place – December 7th @ Red Carpet (21+)

Limbeck – December 7th @ The Whole (U of M)
It’s Limbeck, you know I’m there.

Annex, Three Pill Morning – December 8th @ Red Carpet (21+)
I did a review about Annex a few months ago. For a bar band, they put on a pretty sweet show. They play a mix of pop and punk covers. Their shows promise to be filled with plenty of energy and songs that we can all sing along too. If you can’t make it to this show, try and check out their new years eve show at the Carpet.

Get Young (cd release show), Small Towns Burn a Little Slower, City of Sound – December 8th @ Triple Rock

Lemonheads – December 10th @ Varsity Theater
Love the Lemonheads. Even though Juliana Hatfield is no longer with them, he still rocks it. I saw them once in Denver and I remember it being a rad time. I had a few too many Red Stripes to remember the end of the show, but they had a really pulled together sound that really is a great compliment to their albums.

Dillinger Escape Plan – December 11th @ Station 4 (tickets from original show will be honored)

Hydrophonics – December 15th @ Red Carpet (21+)

Comeback Kid – December 16th @ Triple Rock

Wu-Tang Clan – December 16th @ First Ave (18+)

Van Morrison – December 20th @ Northrop Auditorium

Building Better Bombs – December 21st @ The Turf Club

Soul Asylum, The Evening Rig, Mayda – December 21st @ First Ave (18+)
Remember Runaway Train? Somebody to Shove? Promises Broken? Yeah, I didn’t think you would need anymore persuasion.

Four Letter Lie – December 22nd @ Varsity Theater

Mason Jennings – December 27th @ First Ave (18+)

White Light Riot – December 28th @ Varsity Theater
These guys have kind of dancey Ted Leo kind of sound. It’s hard to describe past that. I’ve never seen these guys live, but I really hope I can make it down to Minneapolis to catch this show. If you don’t wanna make the investment to buy their album, just check out the 30 second clips on i-Tunes and that will be enough to draw you in.

Fred Savage and the Unbeatables – December 29th @ Red Carpet (21+)
One of the best bands to come out of Minnesota. They had their final show in August… or September, but luckily for us, they’re getting back together for this winter break show! I’m so freakin excited for this. They have a sound that resembles a ska Weezer, and they play the perfect combination of original songs and covers. This is one of the few bar bands who’s original songs are just as well received as the covers they play.

New Years Eve with Brother Ali – December 31st @ First Ave (21+)
Minnesota’s most prominent albino rapper. Very cool stuff. I saw him on Conan. He has a sweet mix of melodies along with rapping, it makes for a good time for everyone.

VH1’s Rock of Love New Years Eve with Bret Michaels – December 31st @ The Myth
Yeah, if you like The Bret Michaels Band and want to spend 104 bucks on a ticket then you’re set for New Years…and you’re kind of a tool. Sorry, but come on. And why is The Bret Michaels Band on Guitar Hero III? He says rock of love, like, 37 times.

Chuck Klosterman, "IV: A Decade of Curious People and Dangerous Ideas" Scribner 2006/2007

Apparently I have been unconsciously and in turn inactively wanting to read another book by Chuck Klosterman ever since I finished "Sex, Drugs and Cocoa Puffs" during a short-lived hosting job in Denver.
I walked up to the checkout at the bookstore and was ready to spend only 20 bucks on 5 books. It was a good day, all the semi-intellectual books were on sale, because this bookstore was on the St.Cloud State University Campus, and come on, no one reads books at SCSU. Hell, I still haven't read those books I bought there. I'd hate to think I bought them purely for aesthetic purposes only. Fuck. Now I have to read them. Anyways, on my way towards the checkout I saw this black book with large white lettering. "Chuck Klosterman. IV" I didn't know what it was about, but two factors made me buy it; 1 being Chuck Klosterman and 2 being it had a 30% off sticker.
I just finished this book at my current job as a hotel desk clerk. I have a good feeling this one will last longer than that hosting job. This book is a collection of Klosterman's work as a contributing writer for Spin, Esquire, Page 2 and the Akron Beacon Journal. The first section of the book is labeled as, "Things That Are True" which isn't just a clever name. It's comprised of interviews he did with people that range from Britney Spears to Steve Nash to Robert Plant. It's especially entertaining to read the Spears interview, which is from 2003. While I was reading it, I couldn't help and think about the current day Britney and how during this interview, Klosterman seemed to have a Nostradomic like sense of what was to come in the future for Ms. Spears.
The second part of the book is entitled, "Things That Might Be True" which is a collection of "opinions and theories". Basically it was a bunch of short stories based on factual things that spun out of control like a wicked acid trip. Not that I would know about that personally, but I've heard things. Even though it was a collection of articles he had already written and published (mainly for Esquire, it seems) he updated the stories by prefacing them with hypothetical situations accompanied by questions about what you would do. I really wish I could hear his answers for them. After reading those questions I got a feeling in my stomach like there are correct answers, but I will never find out what those answers are. Along with the hypothetical questions, he also added footnotes to the story, updating the information or changing his opinions on certain things (like writing about Jason Bateman before Arrested Development, before it was “cliché”).
The last section of this book was, "Something That Isn't True At All", which is a novella "loosely" based on his life. And when I say "loosely" I mean the character has pretty much the same job, same appearance and same demeanor (from what I can tell, for I have never meet Klosterman and will never meet his fictional character). The main differences between the two is that Klosterman is not addicted to angel dust and the events in the story never actually happened to him...yet.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. There were a few stories that didn't really capture my interest. One of them had a footnote on the second page that said this was a mediocre piece that he mainly just wrote because he had to, so if he's saying it's mediocre, that can't be good. The other piece was about Barry Bonds. This book was a very easy read, especially for an ADHD kid like me. The short interviews and stories kept it interesting and made it possible to read page after page. I would definitely read this one again, after I finish those other books I bought at the SCSU bookstore.
* * * * out of * * * * *

or * * out of * * * * (read the book, you'll get it)

(photo credit a2.vox.com)

Rookie of the Year!!!

Incase you were wondering what you could do on Thursday night (the 15th) you should go see Rookie of the Year, The Casual Lean, Paper Street Takeover and Practically Single live at the Quarry in the Atwood Center on the SCSU Campus. The show starts at 8 and will rock hard into the night. It is completely free and will be totally rad! Seeya there sucka.
(myspace.com/thequarryvenue)

Upcoming Releases You Should Probably Buy

I'm not extremely excited for this month's releases, it seems like slim pickins. Have no fear, there are still some quality albums coming out. Be sure to check out A Dream Too Late, Cursive, NOFX and the Weakerthans. This will get you through til December, where I fear it might be overran by pop albums looking for Christmas sales, but we'll see.

November 6th
- Sigur Ros “Hvarf/Heim” XL
- A Dream Too Late “Intermission to the Moon” Tooth and Nail
- Subhumans “Internal Riot” Bluurg
- The Receiving End of Sirens “Earth Sings Mi Fa Mi” Triple Crown
- Cursive “Bad Sects” Saddle Creek
- Agnostic Front “Warriors” Nuclear Blast

November 13th
- Hives “The Black and White Album” A&M
- Armor For Sleep “Smile For Them” Sire
- PJ Harvey “White Chalk” Control Group
- Killers “Sawdust” Island
- Dillinger Escape Plan “Ire Works” Relapse
- AFI “I Heard a Voice; Live From Long Beach Arena” Interscope

November 20th
- Sky Eats Airplane “Everything Perfect on the Wrong Day” Tragic Hero
- Taking Back Sunday “Louder Now: Part Two”
- NOFX “They’ve Actually Gotten Worse Live (double w/a bonus disc)” Fat Wreck Chords
- Copeland “Dressed Up and In Line” Militia Group
- Weakerthans “Reunion Tour” Epitaph

Concerts You Need to See in November

This seems to be the month filled with days that have multiple shows. First The Hold Steady and Gogol Bordello on the 1st, and then Lucero and Atmosphere on the 10th and VHS or Beta, Motion City and Leo Kottke on the 24th. So many decisions! Be sure to keep Triple Rocks double day shows. On a few occasions they host a band at 5:00 (which is all ages) and another band at 10:00pm (21+).

The Hold Steady – November 1st @ The State Theater

Gogol Bordello - November 1st @ First Ave
This is probably the hardest decision of the month. I know I said previously that if Gogol Bordello came through MN, I would definitely go see them, but I didn’t think I would have to choose between them and the Hold Steady. I think when it comes down to it….I have to choose the Hold Steady. I’ve never seen them before and Boys and Girls in America is one of my favorite albums right now, but Gogol Bordeloo is so entertaining! And I do love First Ave…No I choose the Hold Steady, but I can’t tell you which to choose. My advice would be to flip a coin.

Paramore - November 2nd @ The Myth

The Fall of Troy, The Crinn, Lost in Prague – November 3rd @ Triple Rock
I wish I could see this show! I already promised my roommate I would go to a Wild hockey game with her, but I’m bummed. I love the Fall of Troy. The last time they were in town they played with the Deftones, but the tickets were $30, and I’m poor, so that was a no go. If I was able to go to this, I would be a little bit apprehensive though. When I bought their last CD, Manipulator, they included a CD with 4 live songs….and they weren’t that good. I don’t know if it was the recording or the band, but half the time I could barely tell what song is was. Either way, I’m sure it’s gonna be a fun show.

Small Towns Burn a Little Slower, Weaver at the Loom – November 4th (5:00) @ Triple Rock

The Unbookables featuring Andy Andrist, Stnng, Matt Kirshin (last comic standing) - November 4th (10:00)@ The Triple Rock

Tori Amos - November 7th @ Northrop Auditorium

Lucero, Bobby Bare Jr. Whiskey & Co. – November 10th @ Fine Line Music Cafe

Atmosphere, Grayskul, Mac Lethal, Luckyiam - November 10th @ First Ave

Dropkick Murphys - November 11th @ The Myth

Band of Horses, The Drones - November 14th @ First Ave

Planes Mistaken for Stars, The Life and Times - November 15th @ The Triple Rock

Menomena, Illinois - November 17th @ The Varsity Theater

Lawrence Arms, American Steel, The Falcon – November 17th (5:00) @ Triple Rock

Busdriver, Daedelus, Antimc - November 17th (10:00)@ The Triple Rock
Good for fans of atmosphere, grayskul

Juliette and the Licks, Scissors for Lefty, Sufrajett – November 18th (5:00) @ Triple Rock
Juliette Lewis is CRAZY!!! This will definitely make for a good show.

As I Lay Dying - November 20th @ The Cabooze

M.I.A, The Cool Kids – November 20th @ First Ave

Circa Survive, Ours, The Dear Hunter, Fear Before the March of Flames – November 21st @ Station 4

Big Wu (Thanksgiving Party) – November 22nd @ The Cabooze

Against Me! Sage Francis, World Inferno Friendship Society & Cobra Skulls - November 23rd @ First Ave
Um, yes please.

VHS or Beta, Moving Units - November 24th @ First Ave

Motion City Soundtrack - November 24th @ The Myth

Leo Kottke - November 24th @ The State Theater

Bayside, The Sleeping, A Day to Remember, Driverside Impact – November 27th @ Station 4

Big D and the Kids Table – November 28th @ The Varsity Theater

Tegan and Sara, Northern State - November 30th @ Pantages Theater