Thursday- No Devolución (21/04/2011)
Thursday- No Devolución
New Jersey's Thursday have just released their 6th studio album, and it is both an expansion on a previous sound, and an exploration in a new musical direction. Formed in 1997, Thursday have been playing their distinct brand of post-hardcore for the last 14 years, but on No Devolución, they have tamed their sound. They have finally managed to break away from the screamo label given to them by critics and scene kids alike, by releasing a melodic, mature album that manages to incorporate new styles, while still staying true to their original sound.
Thursday explore ambience, melody and atmosphere on No Devolución, in ways that were only hinted at on their split release with Japanese screamo/post-rock band, Envy. On that split, Thursday first experimented with incorporating post-rock influences, something that was strangely missing on their follow up album, Common Existence.
No Devolución finally takes advantage of the band having a full time keyboard player, and this is put to excellent use on the second track, No Answers. Ambient and atmospheric keyboard parts are used throughout the whole album, adding a surprising amount of depth, which compliments Geoff Rickley's softer, more melodic vocals.
Musically, this album sounds a lot closer to their split with Envy, rather than a continuation of the sound developed on Common Existence. Don't go into this album expecting it to sound anything like Waiting, Full Collapse or War All The Time, as this album is a drastic departure from Thursday's previous sound.
Tim Payne's bass lines have always been an integral part of the Thursday sound, and on tracks such as Millimeter he stands out with a killer bass line, something that is missing in a lot of post-hardcore bands who focus more on dual guitar harmonies. Sparks Against The Sun features some of Andrew Everding's most memorable keyboard work, before dropping into a drum, bass and feedback filled instrumental part. Tucker Rule's drum work during this entire album shows why he's one of the best drummers in the entire post-hardcore scene
Taking a more melodic and restrained approach on this album works well, as this allows Geoff to really expand his range, rather than just the high, desperate vocals that define his earlier work. Lyrically, this album is a departure for him, as they deal less with metaphors and more with direct lyrics. Rickley is thirty two now, and his lyrics and vocals reflect this. He has toned down the angst and the rage of earlier albums.
Thursday haven't lost all of their intensity, however. Turnpike Divides sounds like it could have fitted perfectly on A City By The Light Divided, or Common Existence, and shows that Geoff has lost none of his aggression. Stay True closes the album in a truly epic fashion, starting off slow and building in intensity, though never quite reaching the intensity that You Were The Cancer reached as closing track for Common Existence.
This album is easily the best thing they have done since Full Collapse. Taking the melodic parts of ACBTLD, the post-rock influences from their split release with Envy, and blending that with the intensity of their earlier releases, Thursday have crafted what is not only their best record in years, but also one of the best examples of how modern post-hardcore should be done.
Josh Mitrou
Thursday explore ambience, melody and atmosphere on No Devolución, in ways that were only hinted at on their split release with Japanese screamo/post-rock band, Envy. On that split, Thursday first experimented with incorporating post-rock influences, something that was strangely missing on their follow up album, Common Existence.
No Devolución finally takes advantage of the band having a full time keyboard player, and this is put to excellent use on the second track, No Answers. Ambient and atmospheric keyboard parts are used throughout the whole album, adding a surprising amount of depth, which compliments Geoff Rickley's softer, more melodic vocals.
Musically, this album sounds a lot closer to their split with Envy, rather than a continuation of the sound developed on Common Existence. Don't go into this album expecting it to sound anything like Waiting, Full Collapse or War All The Time, as this album is a drastic departure from Thursday's previous sound.
Tim Payne's bass lines have always been an integral part of the Thursday sound, and on tracks such as Millimeter he stands out with a killer bass line, something that is missing in a lot of post-hardcore bands who focus more on dual guitar harmonies. Sparks Against The Sun features some of Andrew Everding's most memorable keyboard work, before dropping into a drum, bass and feedback filled instrumental part. Tucker Rule's drum work during this entire album shows why he's one of the best drummers in the entire post-hardcore scene
Taking a more melodic and restrained approach on this album works well, as this allows Geoff to really expand his range, rather than just the high, desperate vocals that define his earlier work. Lyrically, this album is a departure for him, as they deal less with metaphors and more with direct lyrics. Rickley is thirty two now, and his lyrics and vocals reflect this. He has toned down the angst and the rage of earlier albums.
Thursday haven't lost all of their intensity, however. Turnpike Divides sounds like it could have fitted perfectly on A City By The Light Divided, or Common Existence, and shows that Geoff has lost none of his aggression. Stay True closes the album in a truly epic fashion, starting off slow and building in intensity, though never quite reaching the intensity that You Were The Cancer reached as closing track for Common Existence.
This album is easily the best thing they have done since Full Collapse. Taking the melodic parts of ACBTLD, the post-rock influences from their split release with Envy, and blending that with the intensity of their earlier releases, Thursday have crafted what is not only their best record in years, but also one of the best examples of how modern post-hardcore should be done.
Josh Mitrou