In 2000, Thrice signed with Sub City Records and released two LP's. The first, Identity Crisis (2000), only received 1.5 stars in the AMG review and little buzz. The second, The Illusion of Safety (2002), was widely acclaimed and received attention from major record labels. Even though Thrice's music has always included metal influences, The Illusion of Safety contained a heavier metalcore sound. The album was recorded in Beltsville, Maryland and the track The Beltsville Crucible reflects this.
In 2003 Thrice signed up with Island Records and released The Artist in the Ambulance, which featured more metal oriented songs while keeping true to their hardcore influences. In 2005 a DVD outlining their entire career to date was released under the title If We Could Only See Us Now. It included a CD with live tracks from the Apple Store and various b-sides.
Thrice released their fourth full-length album, Vheissu, on October 18, 2005. The album was characterized by many critics as being experimentally different, using non-traditional Thrice elements in the process. From keyboard melodies ("For Miles") to Japanese music-box undertones ("Music Box") to chain gang chant choruses ("The Earth Will Shake"), Vheissu introduced a new sound to the band's post-hardcore roots. UK producer Steve Osborne, whose past credits include many Brit-pop hits, was sought by Thrice to gain a new perspective on the songwriting process, enabling the band to expand their musical influences and produce a different album. The album garnered widespread critical acclaim and peaked at #15 on the Billboard 200.
The band releasedRed Sky, an EP comprised of various b-sides as well as live recordings, shortly after Vheissu.
Thrice released the first and second volume of The Alchemy Index, a highly experimental project based on the four traditional elements (fire, water, earth, and air), on October 16th 2007. Over the summer Thrice parted ways with Island records and signed with Vagrant. The Alchemy Index Vols. I & II - Fire & Water was released on October 16, 2007, and sold 28,000 copies in its first week. The album consists of the first two volumes, Fire and Water, and features 12 songs, 6 on each disk. The third and fourth volumes, Air & Earth were released on April 15, 2008.
The "Fire" disc features the heavier post-hardcore sound traditional Thrice fans will quickly embrace, harking back to their pre-Vheissu albums. The "Water" disc, however, is comprised of ambient songs similar to those found in Vheissu, Thrice's previous album release. The "Air" disc brings a whole new element of electronic elements and delayed guitar riffs to Thrice's sound. In "Earth", much like Dustin Kensrue's solo album, "Please Come Home", Thrice introduces an indie-folk sound combining intricate piano and acoustic guitar.
Thrice's sixth studio album Beggars was released digitally through Vagrant Records in the UK on August 9, 2009 and in the US on August 11 with a physical release containing bonus material pencilled in for September 15. These dates deviate from the original proposed release date of October 13 because of a leak via Vagrant Records web player, which has meant the artwork for the album has also changed. The first single to be taken from the album is All the World Is Mad and was first made available through Guitar Hero: World Tour on July 23.
Dustin Kensrue has described the album as being "more visceral and more raw - both in the songwriting and in the overall sound. It moves with a different energy than any of our past records. It was born out of us playing together in a room, almost as a backlash to the giant headgame that was The Alchemy Index" and has been well received critically.
The seventh studio album Major/Minor came out on September 20, 2011 through Vagrant Records. Yellow Belly, Promises and a few other songs were made available for the listeners to stream online before the release date. The album received extremely positive reviews from many online websites. Alex Djaferis of Absolutepunk.net gave Major/Minor a rating of 95%. Tracks like Promises and Listen Through Me reflected a natural progression from the sound Thrice created in Beggars, which was widely appreciated by the early listeners.
Thrice decided to take a break from being a full time band on November 21, 2011. In late spring/early summer Thrice announced the 'Farewell' tour for the spring/summer of 2012 , which would be the bands final tour before going into an indefinite hiatus.
In early 2015 it was announced that the band intends to release new music and tour again. Announcements were done via the bands website http://www.thrice.net/ and social media outlets with an accompanying picture with "Thrice 2015" text.
Anthology
Thrice Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But the cornerstone laid is a
Wondrous and beautiful thing
Sure in the ground
And while the north wind has taken its toll
You have helped me to find my way
Back and to anchor my soul
Safe in the sound
Oh, you know me
Oh, and I know you
And I know that
We can see this through
I bragged of baring my bones
Said if we heard the howling
I'd run out to face it alone
To meet it half way
But I've still got badges to earn
So keep sifting my soul
'Cause I think that I'm starting to learn
To love you that way
Oh, you know me
Oh, and I know you
And I know that
We can see this through
And it's true that you could snap my neck
But I trust you'll save my life instead
'Cause our love is a loyalty sworn
If we hold to our hope
Then I know we can weather the storm
Whatever they say, come what may
Oh, you know me
Oh, and I know you
And I know that
We can see this through
In Thrice's song Anthology, the lyrics depict the idea of a relationship and how it is built and sustained over time. The song compares a relationship to "tin cans and string," which suggests that relationships can be fragile and easily broken, but ultimately they are fortified by a "cornerstone" that is "wondrous and beautiful," representing the love and commitment shared between two people.
The reference to the north wind taking a toll is a metaphor for the challenges and struggles that the couple may face in their relationship, but despite that, they hold onto each other as a solid anchor for their souls "safe in the sound." The lyrics tell of the singer's willingness to be vulnerable and open to their partner, expressing a desire to be completely known and accepted by them.
The song's chorus repeats the phrase," Oh, you know me, and I know you," which emphasizes the importance of trust and acceptance in a relationship. The ending lines emphasize the strength and loyalty of the couple's love, stating that they can weather any storm if they hold onto hope and each other.
Line by Line Meaning
Our life's built of tin cans and string
Our existence is composed of basic elements with impermanent and frail connections.
But the cornerstone laid is a Wondrous and beautiful thing
Despite the fragility of our lives, we have something permanent and extraordinary to build upon.
Sure in the ground
Our foundation is strong and unwavering.
And while the north wind has taken its toll
We have faced adversity and challenges.
You have helped me to find my way Back and to anchor my soul
You have been my guide and support system in times of difficulty, providing me with strength and stability.
Safe in the sound
We find comfort and security in our relationship.
Oh, you know me
We have a deep understanding and knowledge of each other.
Oh, and I know you
We share a bond built on mutual understanding.
And I know that
I am confident that
We can see this through
We have the ability to overcome any obstacle together.
I bragged of baring my bones
I spoke of being vulnerable and exposed.
Said if we heard the howling
If we encountered danger or fear
I'd run out to face it alone
I boasted of facing it alone.
To meet it half way
To confront it head-on.
But I've still got badges to earn
I still have much to learn and prove.
So keep sifting my soul
Keep examining and scrutinizing my innermost thoughts and feelings.
'Cause I think that I'm starting to learn
I believe that I am beginning to understand something important.
To love you that way
To deeply and selflessly love you.
And it's true that you could snap my neck
It is true that you have the power to harm me.
But I trust you'll save my life instead
But I have faith that you will protect and care for me.
'Cause our love is a loyalty sworn
Our love is a commitment and bond that we have promised to uphold.
If we hold to our hope
If we remain optimistic
Then I know we can weather the storm
I am certain that we can overcome any hardship.
Whatever they say, come what may
Despite what others may say or whatever happens to us.
Oh, you know me
We have a profound understanding of each other.
Oh, and I know you
Our bond is built on mutual knowledge and trust.
And I know that
I firmly believe that
We can see this through
We can emerge victorious from any challenge that comes our way.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: DUSTIN MICHAEL KENSRUE, EDWARD CARRINGTON BRECKENRIDGE, JAMES RILEY BRECKENRIDGE, TERANISHI TEPPEI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Hellavoxx
How does this only have 30k views? This is one of their best songs.
gemin apricorn
This song means so much to me. Such an amazing song, album, band, sound. Thank you for creating amazing music for us feelers out here 💗
Ian Dourley
That chorus...saw them in manchester two days ago. This and Hurricane move me in ways few songs do.
Dariø
amazing vibes and amazing voice
Blaine Ockerman
Love you guys... you have inspired me a long time ago. And even to this day
FamousMortimer
Hard to believe this is almost a decade old.
Plumacher Thierry
What a fantastic song.
lildaya_
I love love this song
Jessica Noriega
Me too rock on Thrice
HeadlessProductions
sounds so similar to saosins "second guesses"