I recently read a story on OC Weekly that listed Thrice's top-10 songs. I am frustrated by how incomplete and limited it is. Maybe the writer knows the band's history, but the opposite seems true. Not that the 10 songs aren't good--of course they are, they are great--but they are such a small, stereotypical snapshot of what the band has accomplished. Every writer is biased in someway, including me, but three of the 10 songs they picked, including their #1, won't appear on my list.
I did find some other Thrice lists online that were much better and more thought out (but are mostly dated). I find this top-10 list on an IGN message board to be ultra-impressive, as it considers and includes many lesser-appreciated songs from the band's catalog. There is another simple yet impressive list on Sputnik Music. Both of those lists pre-date Thrice's 2009 and 2011 albums however.
The most recent Thrice top-20 song list I found is on Jason Pye's blog. It unfortunately shares much in common with the OC Weekly list: it completely ignores Thrice's quieter, more experimental side and focuses on the edgier rock songs.
Thrice at Hevy Fest, UK, August 2015. Photo by me. |
As much as I love Thrice, their final album prior to their hiatus, 2012's Major/Minor, was a disappointment for me. The songwriting and musicianship is outstanding, but the creativity and experimentation of the band was completely forgotten. One can say it is Thrice's most focused, cohesive album, but it leaves me somewhat bored and wanting more. I will admit is is some of Dustin's most profound lyrics, but only two of the songs from Major/Minor make it into my top 25.
Based on everything I have read and heard so far from the new Thrice album that will drop in 5 days, I am thrilled that they have once again branched out and tried new and different things. I recently came to the realization that I love Thrice's super-heavy songs and their quiet, experimental songs; but the more straightforward rock songs that fall in the middle just don't do it for me, comparatively.
Before I get into the top 25, it would probably be helpful for me to rank the albums and show where my biases lie. (My number 1 is clear and definitive, but then numbers 2-4 could easily change places. I find a huge gap between 4 and 5, and an immense gap between 6 and 7.)
Note: while working on this blog post last night Thrice debuted a new song "Death From Above", which is spectacular and would immediately jump high up this list. I greatly prefer it to all songs on Major/Minor.)
All lyrics by Dustin Kensrue
I was always one the good ones, Keeping tabs on everyone else, Sure that I was, One of the chosen
But I was a child of hell; But you buried me in the bright light, Yeah, you held my eyes to the sun till I could see that, That I was worse than I ever feared I could be, But somehow, I was loved more than I ever dared to believe
24. The Artist In The Ambulance from The Artist In The Ambulance
Now I lay here owing my life to a stranger, And I realize that empty words are not enough, I'm left here with the question of just, What have I to show except the promises I never kept?
23. Daedalus from The Alchemy Index: Volume III Air
22. In Exile from Beggars
21. Come All You Weary from The Alchemy Index: Volume IV Earth
20. Atlantic from Vheissu
'Cause my eyes are open, and everything still moves in slow-motion, breathless and blue, and behind your eyes the sea, oceans of light envelop me
19. Flags Of Dawn from the Red Sky EP
So put away your fear, the morning star will soon appear, and bring an end, to this dark night, and we must run if we're to meet the light, watered by the blood of martyrs
18. At the Last from Beggars
Am I a good man? I thought I was, But the rewards of this life now count for naught. My body: soon buried and left to rot. The time’s gone, how quickly it all has passed. My God, now I see how I’ve squandered each and every breath.
17. Silhouette* from The Artist In The Ambulance
Your eyes, followed me here. Your eyes, sifting my soul. They leave me broken and forge diamonds from the coal.
16. The Earth Will Shake* from Vheissu
15. Paper Tigers from The Artist In The Ambulance
14. Open Water from The Alchemy Index: Volume II Water
13. Beggars from Beggars
12. Red Sky* from Vheissu
11. The Arsonist from The Alchemy Index: Volume I Fire
10. Hoods On Peregrine from The Artist In The Ambulance
9. Words in the Water* from Major/Minor
8. Doublespeak from Beggars
7. Deadbolt from The Illusion Of Safety
6. The Messenger from The Alchemy Index: Volume I Fire
5. Of Dust And Nations from Vheissu
4. Stare At The Sun* from The Artist In The Ambulance
3. The Weight from Beggars
(Note: Most Thrice covers I have heard are terrible, but while writing this post I did discover an outstanding cover of "The Weight" by a band called The Material.)
2. The Whaler from The Alchemy Index: Volume II Water
when are you coming home to me?" "Darling why do you leave, as the north wind begins to blow? Will you be coming home to me?"
1. For Miles* from Vheissu