THE SONGS:
This album is bookened (superbly) by two almost instrumental songs, #1 being forboding, and #12 giving some closure. The songs themselves are the product of musicians who care. The guitar work itself is reason to get hooked on this album; the two guitarists complement each others tone very well, using a lot of inventive chords and melodic phrasing. As for the vocals, they have a sadness and a sweetness to them that many artists strive for, but few achieve (also check out Glassjaw, Red House Painters, and Morrisey/TheSmiths for similar effects).

Possibly, it's worth this album for the lyrics alone. It's become all too common for lyrics to become personal in content, but Thursday take it a step beyond personal. They make you feel everything from glass in your hair to blood in your eyes. Even without the music, the lyrics hold their own, and, let's be honest, you can't say that about most bands in the last 10 years.

HIGHLIGHTS:
"How Long Is The Night", "Paris In Flames", "Autobiography Of A Nation", and (yes) "Understanding In A Car Crash".

WARNING TO SOME OF YOU OTHER REVIEWERS:
I noticed several reviews that are negative of this album, which is fine, but some of which are negative for some (very) stupid reasons. Mostly, some of the people who listen to this have a problem with the screaming. ...Look, people, this is a band whose roots are very deep in hardcore; and investigation into hardcore, old or new, will display yelling and/or screaming. And some of you had a problem with the album being too melodic. The fact is, and will always remain, that screaming is a way of expressing an emotion or feeling in a way that a note cannot. It is to be embraced, much like a kitten/puppy (claws and all). Furthermore, this band took a lot of chances with this album, and it WORKED: one of the things that makes this band strong is the dramatic differences between soft and loud. If you don't appreciate the album itself, fine. But to discriminate against an album solely because of certain textural aspects, some of which are common to the "emo"/"hardcore" genre is pure ignorance. If you are one of those people, please leave the scene immediately; the fact that you only like your hardcore loud and angry is ludicrous. It makes the scene that much more unpleasant and uninviting.

BOTTOM LINE:
This album speaks on many levels (as mentioned above). I reccomend it highly. If you have a problem with loud, soft, vocal expression, or screaming, then please leave the album alone and stop bitching about it. If you like the idea of all four blending together, or have never bought an underground/hardcore record, then I hope this album becomes part of your life's soundtrack. Enjoy.

The album is an addicting and mesmerizing coalition of emotions and energy. I saw Thursday live and words cannot express the presence they have on stage. The bad thing about this CD is that you cannot see them perform it all. If you ever have the chance to see this young and outstanding band perform, Carpe Diem.

The opening track is a silent and haunting one, titled A0001, using plenty of effects and voices speaking over one another. "We'll all look the same someday, and even now the robot starts to think, I wonder what it dreams..." ending calmly (too soon, I thought, the track is beautiful, but is followed up at the closing by i1100 of the same nature) and exploding into an energy packed "Understanding In A Car Crash". This song seems to be the one favored by most, and I can see why. The cycle of emotion and flawlessness continues to the last tracks, Wind-Up (starting innocently and softly, then exploding with blazing guns to really move you) and How Long Is The Night?, yet another fantastic piece of art from this group of five.

Do yourself a favor and buy this CD. It may be the best CD you will ever own (considering the next one is not better, or if you like Waiting better - also a fantastic album).

Musically, Thursday seems to combine some relatively cliche elemets in a very refreshing manner- the product is a more grown up take on emo-core. The emo lyrics remain but are punctuated by screams that will, if played at proper volume, actually rip apart your speaker and slap you in the face. I dont pay much attention to lyrical content in particular...I think that as long as the singer seems to believe in what he's saying, its good enough for me. The vocals carry so much intensity that its quite clear that each word comes from the heart.

Thursday incorporates the common emo-core garage band technique of mixing pretty melody with abrasive and chaotic agression. There is a reason that this has been a musical staple since Beethoven...It works. Thursday's musicians are capable and talented songwriters- each song avoids falling into a rut. At the end of the cd, the listener is not weary of angst but compelled to hit play again and get another fix from the album's numerous hooks.