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.
Whistleblower
Thrice Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's all for the greater good
Who made you judge and jury
Who gave you the axe and hood
You wanted it sealed
I'll tell the real story
I'm no bird that sings
I'm the whistleblower
Wake up and take warning
Congressmen and kings
I'm the whistleblower
Waiting in the wings
You told me keep it quiet
That I'd ruin everything
But I'd rather start a riot
Than help you pull these strings
You told me to kneel
I'll tell the real story
I'm no bird that sings
I'm the whistleblower
Wake up and take warning
Congressmen and kings
I'm the whistleblower
Waiting in the wings
Watching, waiting in the wings
I'll tell the real story
I'm no bird that sings
I'm the whistleblower
Wake up and take warning
Congressmen and kings
I'm the whistleblower
Waiting in the wings
Watching, waiting in the wings
Watching, waiting in the wings
In Thrice's song "Whistleblower," the lyrics present a strong sense of defiance and the refusal to stay silent in the face of corruption and deceit. This can be interpreted as a critique of those in power who manipulate and control the truth for their own benefit, as well as a call to action for individuals to speak up and expose the wrongdoing.
The opening lines, "You told me not to worry, It's all for the greater good," suggest that the singer has been told to remain silent and accept the actions of those in power, under the guise of it being for the greater good of society. However, they question the authority of these individuals, asking, "Who made you judge and jury, Who gave you the axe and hood?" This challenges the legitimacy of the power held by these figures and highlights the need for transparency.
The singer declares themselves to be the whistleblower, someone who uncovers and reveals the truth, disregarding the consequences and potential danger involved. They reject the idea of being silenced, expressing a willingness to start a riot if it means exposing the hidden strings of control. The line, "I'm no bird that sings," suggests that they are not content with being complicit or going along with the orchestrated narrative, but rather, they disrupt it by bringing forth the real story.
In the chorus, the lyrics emphasize the significance of the whistleblower's role, addressing both the powerful (Congressmen and kings) and the audience, urging them to wake up and take warning. The repetition of "Waiting in the wings" signifies the anticipation and readiness of the whistleblower to step forward and bring about change.
Overall, "Whistleblower" is a song that challenges authority, encourages individuals to question the truth presented to them, and advocates for the pursuit of justice through speaking out against corruption.
Line by Line Meaning
You told me not to worry
You instructed me to avoid feeling anxious
It's all for the greater good
This action is justified for the benefit of society as a whole
Who made you judge and jury
Who gave you the authority to decide and pass judgment
Who gave you the axe and hood
Who granted you the power to execute and hide the truth
You wanted it sealed
You desired to keep it hidden and undisclosed
I'll tell the real story
I will reveal the true account
I'm no bird that sings
I am not a simple messenger, but rather a whistleblower
I'm the whistleblower
I am the one exposing wrongdoing or corruption
Wake up and take warning
Become aware and be cautious
Congressmen and kings
Politicians and rulers of power
Waiting in the wings
Ready and prepared for the right moment
You told me keep it quiet
You advised me to remain silent
That I'd ruin everything
Claiming that my actions would destroy it all
But I'd rather start a riot
However, I prefer to ignite a rebellion or uproar
Than help you pull these strings
Rather than assisting you in manipulating events and people
You told me to kneel
You demanded that I bow down and submit
Watching, waiting in the wings
Observing, anticipating from a position of readiness
Watching, waiting in the wings
Observing, anticipating from a position of readiness
Lyrics Β© Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: DUSTIN MICHAEL KENSRUE, EDWARD CARRINGTON BRECKENRIDGE, JAMES RILEY BRECKENRIDGE, TEPPEI TERANISHI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Fernando Perez
[Verse 1]
You told me not to worry
It's all for the greater good
Who made you judge and jury?
Who gave you the axe and hood?
You wanted it sealed
[Chorus]
I'll tell the real story
I'm the bird that sings
I'm the whistleblower
Wake up and take warning
Congressmen and kings
I'm the whistleblower
Waiting in the wings
[Verse 2]
You told me keep it quiet
That I'd ruin everything
But I'd rather start a riot
Than help you pull these strings
You told me to kneel
[Chorus]
I'll tell the real story
I'm the bird that sings
I'm the whistleblower
Wake up and take warning
Congressmen and kings
I'm the whistleblower
Waiting in the wings
Watching, waiting in the wings
[Chorus]
I'll tell the real story
I'm the bird that sings
I'm the whistleblower
Wake up and take warning
Congressmen and kings
I'm the whistleblower
Waiting in the wings
Watching, waiting in the wings
Watching, waiting in the wings
thebigone022
You told me not to worry
It's all for the greater good
Who made you judge and jury
Who gave you the axe and hood
You wanted it sealed
I'll tell the real story
I'm the bird that sings
I'm the whistleblower
Wake up and take warning
Congressmen and kings
I'm the whistleblower
Waiting in the wings
You told me keep it quiet
That I'd ruin everything
But I'd rather start a riot
Than help you pull these strings
You told me to kneel
But I'll tell the real story
I'm the bird that sings
I'm the whistleblower
Wake up and take warning
Congressmen and kings
I'm the whistleblower
Waiting in the wings
Watching, waiting in the wings
Yeah I'll tell the real story
I'm the bird that sings
I'm the whistleblower
Wake up and take warning
Congressmen and kings
I'm the whistleblower
Waiting in the wings
Watching, waiting in the wings
Watching, waiting in the wings
Elsa Hammerdahl
Has anyone every had that feeling where you hear a song and then it has that amazing effect on you that good music truly has and you just want to scream it from the rooftops? You want to just stand somewhere high and shout the song at the world, hoping they will listen to the song, all its layers? Maybe that's just me, and I don't mean to sound like a crazy person, but good music is meant to be shared, though most of the truly amazing songs are unknown, and songs like this make me want to scream at the world in hopes they listen to how truly amazing it is. ""You told me keep it quiet, that I'd ruin everything. I'd rather start a riot, then help you pull these strings You told me to kneel, but I'll tell the real story.." Every time I hear that it's like something takes over me and I just want to take a microphone and belt out the lyrics. Thank you Thrice.
jorn hermens
you are not the only one :)
Andrew Gay
I love it when bands like Thrice write songs like this. Basically like a middle finger to corruption and greed in the govt, politics, etc.
Fernando Perez
[Verse 1]
You told me not to worry
It's all for the greater good
Who made you judge and jury?
Who gave you the axe and hood?
You wanted it sealed
[Chorus]
I'll tell the real story
I'm the bird that sings
I'm the whistleblower
Wake up and take warning
Congressmen and kings
I'm the whistleblower
Waiting in the wings
[Verse 2]
You told me keep it quiet
That I'd ruin everything
But I'd rather start a riot
Than help you pull these strings
You told me to kneel
[Chorus]
I'll tell the real story
I'm the bird that sings
I'm the whistleblower
Wake up and take warning
Congressmen and kings
I'm the whistleblower
Waiting in the wings
Watching, waiting in the wings
[Chorus]
I'll tell the real story
I'm the bird that sings
I'm the whistleblower
Wake up and take warning
Congressmen and kings
I'm the whistleblower
Waiting in the wings
Watching, waiting in the wings
Watching, waiting in the wings
Hussam J
Was never a huge thrice fan but these new songs are damn good. I'm officially a fan now!
DawgPoundBrutus
Better late than never.
AgapΔ
Shaping up to be one of the most solid Thrice albums ever, love it.
Rod Bell
I don't think many fans of music actually appreciate how awesome this song is. There's something about this song that is just incredible. The feeling, the emotion, the energy of the riff progressions. I find myself always coming back to this song
daron cobbs
2nd best song on the album. The long defeat is the best one.
wilhelm scream
I think that it's apparent now, how honest this song is.