VIRB

I have been looking forward to the Earth and Air portions of the Alchemy Index all year, and yesterday I got to hear the whole albums for the first time. I'll start by giving a little background- last year Thrice revealed that they were releasing 4 six-song EP's in two pairs, each album having two EP's. The first, which contained the Fire and Water EP's, was released in 2007. While the album has no clear cut single, the Alchemy Index is all about the mood it creates. Each song sonically belongs on its respective EP. The third and fourth EP's, Air and Earth, were released recently. Now that I have all four, I'll give you a more in-depth look at what I consider one of the best crafted and creative albums ever released.

First of all, all the albums have excellent artwork that draws heavily from the Medieval theme of the albums (Alchemy was a 'scientific' process in the Middle Ages that attempted to turn cheaper metals into gold). Fire kicks everything off- it is a raw, powerful album that draws heavily on Thrice's post-hardcore roots. Water is very peaceful yet haunting, with subtle electronic influences. High points are the Whaler and Open Water, where lead singer Dustin Kensrue wonders at the power and unpredictability of God. "The Open Water is an awful thing, but I'm anxious till the anchor is aweigh," he sings. "I'm starting to believe the ocean's much like you, because it gives, and it takes away."

The two albums are wonderfully opposed and yet beautifully intertwined, each mournful and wandering in its own way. Water moves effortlessly into Air, the first album in the second release. Here Thrice explores the anxiety of taking off, the thrill of flight, and the fear of the fall. Broken Lungs declares "We want Justice, we want Truth!" while the simplicity of As the Crow Flies ends Air with the promise "One day you'll fly over me." Earth is perhaps the most unique of the EP's, and you can hear sounds that Dustin explores on his previously released solo album interspersed throughout the record. Digging My Own Grave is a throwback to old piano-driven songs of the early 20th century, with unique jazz influences. The Lion and the Wolf also relies heavily on the keys, while a strange, unearthly choir sings in the background. Come All You Weary caps off this project by collecting all the emotions of the previous songs, all the unwanted, tired, exhausted people and softly singing "Lay down you burdens, find rest for you souls." This is the message that I took away from the Alchemy Index- no matter what weighs us down, whether our fiery emotions, or the loneliness and despair of the deep sea, or the fear of falling from the sky, or even the weight of the world weighing down upon us, we can all find rest for our weary souls in the hands of Jesus Christ.