critically acclaimed

Thursday- A City By the Light Divided

so i have been majorly slacking on posting new tidbits. so i am going to start hitting this blog with full steam now that i am a fresh college graduate. more on the that to come but now onto the first round of intense reviewing action folks.

it's summer music time and something i always look forward to because i get so much new music and i get to choose what i will keep listening to the rest of year. if there is one band that i have been super excited for a new release it is Thursday. this amazing post-hardcore band from New Jersey have been one of my saving graces when it is one of those days when drinking a fifth of jack and listening to loud music is the only way to survive. past releases full collapse and war all the time are standards in my arsenal so needless to say i had high expectations for this one.

to start off this is a different album than the past two. the formulamatic blend of post hardcore riffs and yearning lyrics and hidden slighty on "City." the lead single "Counting 5-4-3-2-1" is a definitive radio track and not saying it is bad but it feels somewhat out of place on this album as a whole. it makes sense where it is because the first track "The Other Side of the Crash/Over and Out (Of Control) is far superior with tempo changes and churning drums. as you listen to the entire album you feel like with all the downtime Thursday decided to listen to shit tons of Radiohead and throw in some post-hardcore style riffs. again comparing bands to being Radiohead-esque is passe but hey i am all out of other comparisons.

all in all i think overall it is the best album of the year so far. i might have some personal bias but i honestly believe that. all the pretentious indie bullshit that is sometimes driven down my hipster throat isn't as earnest and as well put together as this album. the best track by far is "We Will Overcome" with it's anti-war references alongside lyrics of strength and faith. i love the reference to Billie Holliday's "Strange Fruit" which is subtly mixed with the protest type song. this song will be on many many mixtapes for me in the future because of the sonic qualities and easily understood lyrics.

of this backlash of post-everything bands and screamo bullshit this is the band i have always wanted to champion for many reasons. Geoff Rickley is one of my favorite songwriters and that hasn't changed. unfortunately i don't know if this album is perfect for me admist the summer sun because it feels more like a late october/november record. it takes a couple of listens to appreciate the fact that a band had troubles, took some time off, and came back stronger. like i said i hope this band stays around to influence many bands in the future because someone needs to do so. pick it up and enjoy. more to come later.

posted by critically acclaimed @ 1:15 AM