Thrice
Artist In the Ambulance
Island (2003)
Thrice have built quite a large fanbase in quite a short period of time. Perhaps this was one of the factors that led them to singing to a major label (Island) and subsequently shooting out a new record less than a year and a half after the release of their second full-length record, The Illusion of Safety. Illusion sparked that major label interest and introduced Thrice to a lot of new fans. It did for Thrice a fraction of what their major label debut will do for them. The Artist in the Ambulance doesn't dare to stray away from Thrice's signature sound, blending elements of hardcore, pop-punk, "emo", and OH YAH, metal! m/!!! At most, it takes Thrice's old sound, polishes it a tad bit more, and tunes up the melodies a notch. They haven't changed enough to lose a large chunk of fans, but just enough to fuel a few idiotic elitists to declare Thrice 'sell-outs'. With tracks like 'Under a Killing Moon', you'd think you were listening to Illusion of Safety 2: Return to Hardcore Infused Pop-Punk With Cheesy Metal Licks Island, but then you hit a track like the record's first single, 'All That's Left', and you … Read more
Ester Drang
Infinite Keys
Jade Tree (2003)
On previous records, Ester Drang's output had an epic feel to it; it was more drawn-out and atmospheric than that … Read more
Ester Drang
Infinite Keys
Jade Tree (2003)
The party starts to wind down and everyone is sitting in lawn chairs around the bonfire. There are at least … Read more
