<3 Stephen
Thursday-Common Existence
(Epitaph Records)
Release Date: February 17, 2009
By: Stephen Tompkins
Thursday's split CD with Japanese Screamo legends, Envy, was easily one of DIY music's most highly anticipated releases in 2008. It saw Thursday drawing inspiration from Envy's unmatched landscape of sound and fusing that with a raw ‘90s hardcore influence. In many ways the split had to be successful—especially since Kill the House Lights (2007) received about as much critical buzz as Shaquille O'Neal's Shaq-Fu: Da Return.
Envy. Live.
Thursday's forthcoming full-length, Common Existence, available February 17 on Epitaph Records, is proof that its last couple trips to the recording studio have been a period of discovering what does and doesn't work for its sound.
The opening track (and definite highlight), "Resuscitation of a Dead Man," immediately draws the listener in with its melodic and often chaotic vocals set to dizzying riffs, creating a vibe of unexpected sound exploration. "Last Call" and "Friends in the Armed Forces" serve as driving post-hardcore anthems and could perhaps be featured as singles in the future. "Circuits of Fever" features a slow drone build-up but takes off in uncharted territory, waning into a field of ambiance filled riffs channeling Explosions in Sky's scope and fragile Robert Smith-like vocals.
In a recent interview with Spin.com, Thursday's singer Geoff Rickly said: "The record …in a lot of ways is the first time that I've looked at all the big life events that happen from a more adult perspective."
Which may explain why in, "You Were the Cancer" he sings, "In your blood there is a sad, sad song/Bleeding through your nervous system/It's killing you but it's bringing me along/You were the cancer in my life."
Thursday fans rejoice: if the band's new approach to writing lyrics and the moniker of the opening track are any indications of the future of this outfit — than perhaps there is no fear of a common existence among the 99 cent bin.
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