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.
Round Here
Thrice Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
into the fog where no one notices
the contrast of white on white.
And in between the moon and you
the angels get a better view
of the crumbling difference between wrong and right.
I walk in the air between the rain
through myself and back again
Maria says she's dying
through the door I hear her crying
Why? I don't know
Round here we always stand up straight
Round here something radiates
Maria came from Nashville with a suitcase in her hand
she said she'd like to meet a boy who looks like Elvis
and she walks along the edge of where the ocean meets the land
just like she's walking on a wire in the circus
she parks her car outside of my house
and, you know
says she's close to understanding Jesus
she knows she's more than just a little misunderstood
yes, she has trouble acting normal when she's nervous
Round here we're carving out our names
Round here we all look the same
Round here we talk, talk just like lions
Oh, but we sacrifice like lambs
Round here she's slipping through my hands
She says "It's only in my head"
She says "I know it's only in my head"
But the girl on the car in the parking lot
says "Man you should try to take a shot
can't you see my walls are crumbling?"
Then she looks up at the building
and sge says "I'm thinking of jumping"
She says "I'm sick and tired of life"
Everybody's tired of something
Round here she's always on my mind
Round here we've got lots of time
We never go to bed early
and nobody makes us wait
Round here we stay up very, very, very, very late
I can't see nothing.. nothing round here
would you catch if I'm falling
would you kiss me 'cause i'm leaving
would you hold me 'cause i'm lonely without you
I said I'm under the gun around here
I said I'm under the gun around here
I said I'm lonely lonely lonely round here
The song “Round Here” by Thrice tells the story of an unnamed narrator's experiences living in a small town. The song is about feeling trapped in a place where everyone is stuck in their ways and struggling to find a way out. The song starts with the singer describing themselves as a ghost who is walking through a world that is covered in fog. The people around them don't seem to notice them, and everything is white on white. The singer feels lost in this world, caught between right and wrong. They walk through the rain, not sure where they're going or what they're looking for.
The song then introduces a character named Maria, who has moved to town and is struggling to fit in. Maria is looking for love and is hoping to meet someone special. She's also deeply religious and is trying to find God. However, she is often misunderstanding and is struggling to communicate with those around her. The chorus of the song repeats the phrase “round here,” which is meant to represent the feeling of being trapped in this small town.
The second verse reveals that Maria is contemplating suicide. She is feeling hopeless and overwhelmed by everything going on around her. The singer wonders if anyone would notice if she were to jump off the building she's standing on. The song ends with the singer admitting that they feel like they're under a lot of pressure and are struggling to find their way in the world. They're seeking connection and validation from those around them, but they're feeling alone and misunderstood.
Line by Line Meaning
Step out the front door like a ghost
into the fog where no one notices
the contrast of white on white.
The singer feels invisible and isolated, walking out into a world where everything looks the same and no one sees them.
And in between the moon and you
the angels get a better view
of the crumbling difference between wrong and right.
The singer reflects on the idea that there is a greater perspective beyond the physical world, where the moral boundaries between right and wrong become blurred.
I walk in the air between the rain
through myself and back again
Where? I don't know
Maria says she's dying
through the door I hear her crying
Why? I don't know
The singer feels lost and uncertain, wandering through an emotional storm. They hear someone else's pain but don't understand what's causing it.
Round here we always stand up straight
Round here something radiates
Despite the confusion and pain, the artist finds a sense of pride and purpose in their community. There is an intangible energy that emanates from their environment.
Maria came from Nashville with a suitcase in her hand
she said she'd like to meet a boy who looks like Elvis
and she walks along the edge of where the ocean meets the land
just like she's walking on a wire in the circus
she parks her car outside of my house
and, you know
says she's close to understanding Jesus
she knows she's more than just a little misunderstood
yes, she has trouble acting normal when she's nervous
Maria is a free spirit, searching for a connection with someone who embodies a certain kind of classic American cool. She's drawn to drama and the thrill of adventure, but also has a spiritual side that she struggles to express. She's insecure and often feels out of place.
Round here we're carving out our names
Round here we all look the same
Round here we talk, talk just like lions
Oh, but we sacrifice like lambs
Round here she's slipping through my hands
The singer's community is simultaneously empowering and stifling. They want to assert their individuality but feel hemmed in by the expectations of their peers. They talk a big game but often find themselves making sacrifices they don't want to make. Maria is still struggling to find her place within this dynamic.
She says "It's only in my head"
She says "I know it's only in my head"
But the girl on the car in the parking lot
says "Man you should try to take a shot
can't you see my walls are crumbling?"
Then she looks up at the building
and sge says "I'm thinking of jumping"
She says "I'm sick and tired of life"
Everybody's tired of something
Two different women express their desperation in different ways. One is aware that her struggles are largely internal, but still feels overwhelmed. The other seems to be in a more dramatic crisis, ready to take drastic action to escape her pain. Both are struggling with the stress of daily life.
Round here she's always on my mind
Round here we've got lots of time
We never go to bed early
and nobody makes us wait
Round here we stay up very, very, very, very late
The artist can't stop thinking about Maria and the struggles they share. But despite the difficulties of life in their community, there is a sense of freedom and possibility thanks to the abundance of time and lack of strict rules. They stay up late, enjoying the moment and avoiding the anxieties of the future.
I can't see nothing.. nothing round here
would you catch if I'm falling
would you kiss me 'cause i'm leaving
would you hold me 'cause i'm lonely without you
I said I'm under the gun around here
I said I'm under the gun around here
I said I'm lonely lonely lonely round here
The artist feels like they're in a desperate situation, with no clear course of action. They ask for help and affection, but it's unclear whether anyone can provide what they need. They feel like they have to constantly fight to avoid being trapped by their environment, and the loneliness is overwhelming.
Contributed by Gianna H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Brian Camp
Step out the front door like a ghost into the fog
Where no one notices the contrast of white on white
And in between the moon and you
The angels get a better view
Of the crumbling difference between wrong and right
Well, I walk in the air between the rain
Through myself and back again
Where? I don't know
Maria says she's dying
Through the door, I hear her crying
Why? I don't know
'Round here, we always stand up straight
'Round here, something radiates
Maria came from Nashville with a suitcase in her hand
She said she'd like to meet a boy who looks like Elvis
And she walks along the edge
Of where the ocean meets the land
Just like she's walking on a wire in the circus
She parks her car outside of my house
And takes her clothes off
Says she's close to understanding Jesus
And she knows she's more than just a little misunderstood
She has trouble acting normal when she's nervous
'Round here, we're carving out our names
'Round here, we all look the same
'Round here, we talk just like lions
But we sacrifice like lambs
'Round here, she's slipping through my hands
Sleeping children better run like the wind
Out of the lightning dream
Mama's little baby better get herself in
Out of the lightning
She says it's only in my head
She says, shh, I know it's only in my head
But the girl on the car in the parking lot
Says, Man, you should try to take a shot
Can't you see my walls are crumbling?
Then she looks up at the building
Says she's thinking of jumping
She says she's tired of life
She must be tired of something
'Round here, she's always on my mind
'Round here, got lots of time
'Round here, we're never sent to bed early
And nobody makes us wait
'Round here, we stay up very, very, very, very late
I, I can't see nothin', no nothin' 'round here
Would you catch me cause i'm fallin', would you kiss me cause I'm leavin'
Would you hold me? 'Cause I'm lonely without you
I said I'm under the gun, 'round here
I'm lonely, lonely, lonely without you
And I can't see nothin', no nothin' 'round here
Brian Camp
Step out the front door like a ghost into the fog
Where no one notices the contrast of white on white
And in between the moon and you
The angels get a better view
Of the crumbling difference between wrong and right
Well, I walk in the air between the rain
Through myself and back again
Where? I don't know
Maria says she's dying
Through the door, I hear her crying
Why? I don't know
'Round here, we always stand up straight
'Round here, something radiates
Maria came from Nashville with a suitcase in her hand
She said she'd like to meet a boy who looks like Elvis
And she walks along the edge
Of where the ocean meets the land
Just like she's walking on a wire in the circus
She parks her car outside of my house
And takes her clothes off
Says she's close to understanding Jesus
And she knows she's more than just a little misunderstood
She has trouble acting normal when she's nervous
'Round here, we're carving out our names
'Round here, we all look the same
'Round here, we talk just like lions
But we sacrifice like lambs
'Round here, she's slipping through my hands
Sleeping children better run like the wind
Out of the lightning dream
Mama's little baby better get herself in
Out of the lightning
She says it's only in my head
She says, shh, I know it's only in my head
But the girl on the car in the parking lot
Says, Man, you should try to take a shot
Can't you see my walls are crumbling?
Then she looks up at the building
Says she's thinking of jumping
She says she's tired of life
She must be tired of something
'Round here, she's always on my mind
'Round here, got lots of time
'Round here, we're never sent to bed early
And nobody makes us wait
'Round here, we stay up very, very, very, very late
I, I can't see nothin', no nothin' 'round here
Would you catch me cause i'm fallin', would you kiss me cause I'm leavin'
Would you hold me? 'Cause I'm lonely without you
I said I'm under the gun, 'round here
I'm lonely, lonely, lonely without you
And I can't see nothin', no nothin' 'round here
Alexandria Meilleur
Wow... This guys my idol. The only career I've followed from start to whenever it ends. Thrice is the most underated band i know and this guys just outrageously talented. Thank you Dustin.
Robert Johnson
This is the one I voted for when they were doing the online voting... I was so upset to see 'Miley Cyrus' - Wrecking Ball' won the popular vote... So, VERY HAPPY to see this one still made the cut!!!Mr. Dustin Kensrue, if you by some off chance happen to see this... I just wanted to THANK YOU! Thank you for being so unbelievably talented & passionate about your music! I've been an instant fan ever since I first heard your music near the end of high school/2001. Your music has also helped me through some pretty rough times over the last 16+ years... So again, THANK YOU for all the passion & thought you put into your music!!!
Nygelle Redpath
Amen
Sam Amaya
I fucking love this cover.. Been listening to Dustin since 1999 and his voice just gets better and better.
goonie
one of the best covers ive heard so raw so much pain
ERGOraptor
White chritians have alot of pain. That's the cash grab.
Ophélie Scarlett
Who can feel the pain ? My heart breaks everytime I listen to this song. It's so beautiful.
Kenny James
Love this cover so much, feels like I've waited for a proper recorded version of it forever
ThatBeardedCanadian
I've had this song on repeat non-stop for a good while now and it always hits me in the feels!