Thrice

Item: The Illusion of Safety
Author: Tom Bastian

The Illusion of Safety

(2002)

Reviewed by Tom Bastian

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Label Sub CityDecapolisMarch 2002

melodic hardcore post-hardcore

Thrice is a four-piece band from Irvine, California that began playing together about three-years ago. Shortly after forming they put out a self released E.P., "First Impressions," and began playing throughout Southern California. A year later, they recorded their first full-length album, which was originally released on Green Flag Records. The album, titled "Identity Crisis," was re-released in March of 2001, on Sub City Records, an offshoot of Hopeless Records. "The Illusion of Safety" is the bands second album for Sub City and was recorded by well-known producer Brian McTernan (Hot Water Music, Cave In, etc.).

I think I will leave the main review up to Gunner since he covered just about everything I was thinking about with this release. I really wasn't familiar with the band Thrice, other than just hearing their name in passing. But I have to say, "The Illusion of Safety" has made me a fan. I guess their sound would best be classified as melodic-hardcore, but don't get me wrong, there is a lot more depth to this release than your typical melodic-hardcore album. More singing, less screaming, technical guitar parts and introspective lyrics all come together to make this a solid release.

Thrice sets themselves apart from many of today's bands due to their technical song structures and lyrics that go a lot deeper than your typical "boy meets girl, girl dumps boy" topics that are pretty common in this scene. "The Illusion of Safety" will make you think. Will bring challenging thoughts to mind and will entertain you musically as well. But like I said Gunner did a great job at reviewing this album...so go read his review!