Thrice - The Alchemy Index Volumes III & IV: Earth and Air

As the title suggests, this record embodies the second half of a four EP opus undertaken by Thrice. The two halves on display are substantially different from each other, almost enough so to justify questioning whether they are by the same artist. Earth is a sultry and atmospheric collection and clearly invites comparisons to Elliott. Dreamy washes of reverb soak the hushed vocals and the unmistakeable waft of emo permeates the foggy surround. Passages of heavier guitar push the keyboards aside from time to time and the music gains a little deserved weight. Air takes Thrice into almost acoustic territory. Quite incredibly Moving Mountains initially smells faintly of the whiskey and stale cigarette smoke normally associated with Tom Waits, though that impression doesn't last. The vocals for the second half sometimes get a little too overwrought yet it showcases a side of the band many people are surely unaware of. [Chris Cusack]