Beggars (Dig)

Thrice | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 15, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Vagrant Records
• ASIN: B002KQOCPG
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #57,771 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

2009 album from the California Alt-Rock quartet. To take stock of Thrice's discography is to witness the dramatic evolution of a band perpetually committed to pushing their own creative boundaries, taking their music to new and breathtaking heights of expression and challenging fans to explore each startling soundscape the group conjures, while simultaneously promoting social awareness and change. From the raw power and technical onslaught of early records Identity Crisis and The Illusion of Safety, to the perfect marriage of fury and melody on The Artist In The Ambulance, to the bold, mesmerizing experimentation of Vheissu, Thrice has always been a band on the cutting edge, running well ahead of their peers. That divide is about to widen still further.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Excellence Continues On......, September 15, 2009

By 

Garrett Redd "thursday_1212" (TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Beggars (Dig) (Audio CD)

It is a true pleasure to watch these four musicians grow with each release. I think it's fair to say that starting with Artist in The Ambulance in 2003 the band has had a steady increase in two departments, development in songwritting and a keen sense of experimentation. These area's being fully realized on 2005's Vheissu, an absolute masterpiece, completely setting them apart from their musical peers.

That being said, Beggars has had alot to live up to.

I'm glad to say that the growth continues, and there are a few surprises along the way. The first thing that is apparent upon listening to the album for the first time is Dustin Kensrue's vocals. Step back, take a moment, and take a listen to tracks off of 2002's album "Illusion of Saftey", then go back to "Beggars", he has grown ito a full fledged vocalist and singer, at times (dare i say) on the new album moments that bring Jeff Buckley to mind (see title track).

The Second thing listners should take notice of on "Beggars" is how tightly woven and intricate the musicianship is throughout the album. The instumentation is spectacular, particularly the guitar lines coming from the fret play of guitarist/multi-instrumentalist Teppei Teranishi. And that rhythm section provided by the thumping bass of Ed Breckenridge, and massive yet presice drumming of Riley Breckenridge. They have the feel of a band that now know it's strengths and weaknesses, and uses that to their full advantage. They just sound flat-out GREAT on "Beggars" people.

Their are few albums that I believe can be appreciated on the same level by both newcomers and old fans alike, and "Beggars" is one of those albums. I look forward to many repeated listens, finding new depth to each song and enjoying what Thrice has put together on this album..............Highly Recommended.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "My heart is filled with songs of forever.", September 21, 2009

By 

A. Estes (Maine) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beggars (Dig) (Audio CD)

If there's one thing that can be said about Thrice, it is that they never make the same album twice. Following up the moderate success of 2003's The Artist in the Ambulance, the band produced their most expansive and experimental album to date in 2005's Vheissu. While it was an unfortunate commercial failure, it succeeded as a re-birth for the band that helped them find their true, signature sound. Perhaps to top such a feat, the band released the quadruple album, Alchemy Index, Vols. I-IV, over the course of 2007 and 2008 -- split amongst four EP's -- which saw the band break down and stretch out their style in ways we had never heard before. For their sixth studio effort, the band hunkered down at guitarist/producer Teppei Taranishi's home studio and produced "Beggars" all by themselves. Another in a long line of stunning albums from the California quartet, it's an album that will simultaneously challenge and sound like home to the band's well-established fanbase.

Like those before it, "Beggars" is an album that has Thrice sounding like themselves and yet, doesn't sound a thing like anything they've played before. It's both energetic and organic, sounding like music made by four very passionate and talented musicians, and less by some studio-tinkering. However, that's not to say that it pales in comparison to the production values of its predecessors, in fact, "Beggars" goes so far as to not only prove the band can create an enormous sound all on its own, but that they have the song-writing chops to back it up. Ten songs make up the album that range from brooding and mournful to spicy and up-beat. I could sit here and describe each song to you but would not be doing them any justice, except to say that the album is almost air-tight, as there isn't a single song that drags it down or makes it a chore to listen to. To be honest, there's so much going on with this album that you could listen to it on repeat for an entire day (try it!) and never tire of it.

All the elements of Thrice you've come to love still remain intact, albeit, in a much different and very interesting way. With song-writing as strong as the musicianship behind it -- something the band never failed at -- Thrice prove they are worth their weight and that, at 11 years strong as a band, can still evolve and retain an identity. There are few bands out there that take their craft as seriously as Thrice and who remain this consistent. It's a shame the mainstream has yet to catch on to these brilliant musicians, but those who know what they are capable of know what to expect with "Beggars," which is that it is everything I have described and so much more.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptional, September 23, 2009

By 

Keith Bennett (New Hampshire) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Beggars (Dig) (Audio CD)

Thrice have always been unsurpassed when it comes to experimenting with different styles of music, and seem to always put out amazing albums no matter what they are delving in currently. Beggars is the culmination of their musical journey from Hardcore Punk to Atmospheric Rock and everything in between. You won't find anything remotely close to Vheissu, Artist, or Illusion on this record...and it works quite good for them. Dustin's songwriting and singing has matured so much over the years that the new raw mold of Alternative Rock is a perfect niche for him and the band. I can listen to this album from start to finish and by the closing self titled track I always as impressed as I was the first listen. I'd say this album could easily be up for Album of the Year if only Thrice had more mainstream recognition, but the few of us who are blessed enough to appreciate and enjoy Thrice's work...this will be a record that doesn't collect dust on the shelf for years to come. I highly recommend it.

Standout Tracks:
The Weight
In Exile
Wood and Wire
Beggars