Thrice has gradually become one of my favorite bands.  Everything they put out is just astounding.  You can hear an inner evolution between the members with each new song.  I am quick to recommend them to any new friend, or whenever someone asks “I can’t figure out what to listen to.”  I can’t say enough great things about this band.

Unfortunately for them, their new album that doesn’t come out for another three months, entitled “Beggars” has leaked online.  Now, I am not one to promote illegal downloading, especially when it comes to bands that deserve every penny that goes their way.  I did grab a copy of this watermarked promotional piece, and I am here to tell you that I am going to review each song as I listen to it for the first time.  However, I have to strongly contest that I plan on buying a copy of it when it comes out, regardless if it’s good or bad.  Here it goes:

“All The World Is Mad” – fantastic.  You can already tell with the quality of the production that this is possibly their most stripped album to date.  No special effects, no over produced studio nonsense.  It honestly sounds like the whole band played together in one take.  The song is great, the lyrics are catchy, and this is a great opening to what I’m hoping is an amazing album.

“The Weight” – It starts off with what sounds like a blues jam, and quickly turns into a rock blast with feels of funk and soul.  Not their greatest, but still very good.  Don’t ever think when I say something about this band like “not their greatest,” that it’s bad.  I’ve honestly never heard a bad song from this band.  Ever.

“Circles” – This is more of their ambient side that was very heavy in The Alchemy Indexalbums.  A very slow, gradually moving song with a very cool percussion during the chorus made by what seems like shakers and finger snaps.  If you listen carefully, you can actually hear the squeaks from the high-hat pedal, which I think is amazing.  Very much a calming experience.

“Doublespeak” – A very cool song, with a chorus thats unexpected and rough as hell.  By rough, I mean beautifully dirty.  This accompanied by the hard-hitting piano chords in the verses make this the favorite of the album so far, followed closely by “All The World Is Mad.”

“In Exile” – A good throwback to The Alchemy Index, immediately reminding you of “Daedalus” but quickly moving into something new.  This is definitely something I haven’t heard from Thrice before, and I’m a little unsure.  This is probably one that will have to grow on me.  It’s has more of a pop feel to it, with a drum beat I feel is a tad too repetitive.  It would make sense to release this as a single, though I feel it certainly isn’t catchy enough to be one.  Now that I’m in the end, it’s sounding much better, as the drums are going crazy and the song is sounding more Thrice authentic.  It is a little disappointing I had to wait through all of that to get to it.

“At The Last” – A heavier song, but I’ve noticed on this album so far that there are no screams, which is a little odd but not too surprising.  A very cool song, very different guitar riffs, certainly new directions.

“Wood & Wire” – Once again, sounding much like they are all jamming at once, with random studio talk in the background at the very beginning.  For some reason, I absolutely love when bands do this.  It makes me feel like I have more of a personal connection to the recording.  This song is definitely in the ambient, slow feel that they love to touch on several times in an album.  I am digging this one much more than I was “Circles” though.  Pretty amazing.

“Talking Through Glass” – Great start with distorted drums moving quickly into distorted guitars and yelling.  Fast paced and definitely interesting.  Two-thirds of the way through changes into acoustic guitar and soft hums.  Very nice, but will definitely need to get used to it.

“The Great Exchange” – Yet another soft ambient track.  The third so far on the album, which is a good balance.  Normally, bands will have too much of the loud or too much of the soft, or even with a dead balance, and it just won’t be comfortable.  Thrice has always seemed to do this very well.  Whether it be a majority of soft or loud, it always seems just right.  Great song.

“Beggars” – Title track and final track.  It moves slowly and gradually, with amazing lyrics and calming melody.  The end of the song evolves into a beautifully noisy orchestra of guitar and distorted drums.  Certainly an interesting way to close the album.

All in all, I think its an amazing album.  Possibly the best album of the year so far (challenged with Swoon from Silversun Pickups).  Thrice proves once again how overly musically  talented they are.  And right now I’m really hoping that I don’t get sued for this review.  I’m not sure how I could be, but still.  I encourage each of you to BUY a copy of this album when it comes out, because it is certainly worth the money.  Thrice fans will have some getting-use-to when it comes to this, but I’m sure they will find it absolutely gratifying.  I am giving this album a 5 out of 5.