If you want to hear some seriously amazing song writing, and the best album of the year, check out Thrice’s newest album, “The Alchemy Index Volumes III and IV.” These boys have truly stepped up their game in big, big ways. You aren’t going to get that screamo, hardcore sound that you may have heard them do many times in the past. No no, this record is truly musical, tasteful, thoughtful, emotional, mellow, and very awesome in just about every way. If I was in Thrice, that’s the type of music that I would love to make myself.

I’m curious about what musical influences they’ve taken on over in the last couple of years. I’m thinking that they might have listened to the first “Q and Not U” album, as there are hints of that sound in there, as well as classical sounds that you’d hear in World War II Germany. It sounds like they’ve gotten a lot more inspired, and dug deeper into the soul of what songwriting is all about. I’m sure that there are some longtime Thrice fans out there that won’t be too pleased with it, because it doesn’t have the type of sound that people may have grown accustomed to. I actually did not like the Alchemy Index Volumes I and II. I am totally blown away by III and IV. Best of all, every song on the CD is totally great. No fillers.

Nice job, Thrice!