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Rating: Here is one of the greatest albums by Thrice: The Artist In The Ambulance. Yet another work for the Californian band, it showcases to the general public the artistic capacity of the "thrice" (this being the meaning of the band's name). The definition of their musical style can be among the broadest. The uninitiated would simply call it punk or hardcore, others still nu-metal. Well, admitting that in any case, I'm not great at distinguishing between musical genres, I will now move on to present my opinion on the matter.
Thrice, in my opinion, make emo metalcore. "What kind of word did this guy just invent?!" many of you will say. Emo metalcore, again according to my opinion (I hope to avoid some insults by saying it's just my thought), is the union between metalcore and emo. To put it briefly, metalcore is a fusion between the god of metal, which I hope everyone knows, and hardcore: the harder, faster, and meaner version of punk. But Thrice have a soft heart, an emo heart, which softens the classic harshness of metalcore and evokes emotions contrasting with it. This combination of harshness and kindness indeed creates an emotional vortex without limits. Listening to Thrice means losing oneself in a cruel world but one still full of immeasurable beauty. A pure beauty that is good and sweet only when it wants but that can also be deadly, like the moon in "Under a Killing Moon." This world is cruel, full of rage, and sometimes we have a good supply of it because it gives us the strength to survive in this crazy world. Rage that makes us burn and generates more rage, but it's enough to stop for a moment to look at the moon; yes, it is a deadly moon in a burning sky, but it's still beautiful, because despite everything we love this crazy world with its crazy rules, because it gives us strong emotions that make us feel alive.
Some would define all this very emo-core, I simply respond that you just need to listen to the rhythm that the drums give to most of the songs, the single pedal rhythm typical of hard-core, something an emo drummer would never do. Moreover, the album also has a moment of pure harshness, the very angry "Paper Tigers". After that, it returns to normal tracks alternating hard moments with more melodic ones, which in my opinion makes the music in general complete, because it's too easy to transfer only your sadness or joy into your songs, showing your anger or frustration too makes everything more real. The album, however, is a crescendo of emotions culminating in "The Artist In The Ambulance", the song that gives the album its name, capable of waking anyone from apathy, which personally (I still haven't figured out why) brings to mind the past and all the promises made and then broken, which makes you burn in your fire until you become ashes and then rise with new strength preparing for the grand finale of "The Abolition Of Man" and the indescribable "Don't Tell And We Don't Ask" a song that instead looks to the future.
What else to say about Thrice, (perhaps I've already said too much) I just wanted to remember that a percentage of the revenue from sales goes to charity like all their previous works, one more reason to get it.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Cold Cash and Colder Hearts (02:53)
they are sick, they are poor
and they die by the thousands and we look away
they are wolves at the door
and they're not going to move us or get in our way
cause we don't have the time
here at the top of the world
feeling alright
here at the top of the world
we hold our own
by keeping our hearts cold
different god, darker skin
they are just not a burden that we'd like to bear
they are living in sin
there are so many reasons for us not to care
but i'm feeling alright
here at the top of the world
doing just fine
here at the top of the world
we've learned money matters most
so we keep our cards held close
here at the top of the world
we hold our own
by keeping our hearts cold
and we've learned what matters most
so we keep our hearts cold
they are no one
they are no where
they are not our problem
not worth saving
nonexistent if we keep our hearts cold
they are no one
they are no where
02 Under a Killing Moon (02:41)
The air my lungs first loved,
carves craters from my eyes.
They said "Breathe deeply son,
or be the next to die
Beneath the falling night,
and heaven's shutting gate.
Pray keep your tongue held tight,
or suffer the same fate.
The blood on our black gloves,
it is none of your concern.
you want to call our bluff,
get in line and wait your turn,
and watch the witches burn
Don't flinch when innocents,
are dancing with the flames.
If they wanted to live,
they'd learn to play the game.
You can still walk away,
if you just hold your tongue.
If you'd just walk away,
you'd live to see the sun but...
Under this killing moon,
under this burning sky.
The fire's shining groom,
I hold my breath and close my eyes.
The blood on our black gloves,
it is none of your concern.
you want to call our bluff,
get in line and wait your turn,
and watch the witches burn.
We'll watch the witches burn.
03 All That's Left (03:19)
one day the dreamers died within us
when all our answers never came
we hid the truth beneath our skin but
our shadows never looked the same
a ghost is all that's left
of everything we swore we never would forget
we tired to bleed the sickness
but we drained our hearts instead
we are the dead
and when we couldn't stop the bleeding
we held our hearts over the flame
we couldn't help but call it treason
after that we couldn't fill our frames
after that our shadows never looked the same
a ghost is all that's left
of everything we swore we never would forget
we tried to bleed the sickness
but we drained our hearts instead
we are the dead
in summers past we'd challenge fate
with higher pitch and perfect aim
and standing fast, we'd radiate
a light we loved but never named
but the answers never came
and our shadows never looked the same
a ghost is all that's left
of everything we swore we never would forget
we tried to bleed the sickness
but we drained our hearts instead
we are the dead
a ghost of everything we though but never said
we tried to bleed the sickness
but we drained our hearts instead
we are the ones who lost our faith
we dug ourselves an early grave
we are the dead, can we be saved?
04 Silhouette (03:08)
Your eyes, followed me here.
Your eyes, seamless and sure.
They leave me broken and, in need of a cure.
Your eyes, followed me here.
Your eyes, sifting my soul.
They leave me broken hands, those diamonds from the coal.
They lace me along,
Giving synapse of white lines.
Then chasing the dawn,
Story book syntax.
Your eyes slit the throat, of all I know.
About myself and this life.
Silhouette lies.
And your eyes, speaking in tongues.
Vigilant still, filling my lungs.
Testing my will.
They leave me broken and, bruised and bleeding.
Your eyes, resting in flame,
Leave me breathless again.
Like hydrogen spread on fault lines.
Or dead, kissing me with exposure to radon.
Your eyes slit the throat, of all I know.
About myself and this life.
Silhouette lies.
Your eyes, Your eyes.
Speaking in tongues.
Vigilant still, lead our way.
Filling my lungs.
Testing my will.
You slit the throat, of I know.
About myself and this life.
Silhouette Lies.
You slit my throat.
Because I know,
That this life, is a lie.
So slit my throat.
05 Stare at the Sun (03:23)
I sit here clutching useless lists
Keys for doors that don't exist
I crack my teeth on pearls
Tear into the history
Show me what it means to me in this world
Yeah in this world
'Cause I am due for a miracle
I'm waiting for a sign
Stare straight into the sun
And I won't close my eyes
Till I understand or go blind
I see the parts but not the whole
Study saints and scholars both
But no perfect plan unfurls
Do I trust my heart or just my mind
Why is truth so hard to find in this world
Yeah in this world
'Cause I am due for a miracle
I'm waiting for a sign
Stare straight into the sun
And I won't close my eyes
Untill i understand or go blind
I know that there's a point I missed
A shrine or stone I haven't kissed
A scar that never graced my wrist
A mirror that hasn't met my fist
But I can't help feeling like
I'm due for a miracle
I'm waiting for a sign
Stare straight into the sun
And I wont close my eyes
Due for a miracle
I'm waiting for a sign
Stare straight into the sun
And I wont close my eyes
06 Paper Tigers (04:00)
They preach to the choir,
always in the permanent daylight.
They toss paper tigers from their
perfect porcelain skylines.
Listen for the sound (for the sound, for the sound)
as it all comes crashing down. (crashing down, comes crashing down)
Listen for the sound (for the sound, for the sound)
as it all comes crashing down. (crashing down, comes crashing)
They preach to the choir,
always in the permanent daylight.
They toss paper tigers from their
shatterproof spires.
Light the world on fire
just to watch it burn.
It'll be their funeral pyre,
but they never seem to learn.
Light the world on fire
Just to watch it burn.
It'll be their funeral pyre,
but they never seem to learn.
Listen for the sound (for the sound, for the sound)
as it all comes (crashing down, comes crashing down)
Listen for the sound (for the sound, for the sound)
as it all comes (crashing down, comes crashing down)
We paid the price,
We paid for their crimes with our blood.
with our blood.
with our blood.
with our blood.
and our lives.
paid with our blood.
with our blood.
and our lives.
with our blood.
and our lives.
with our blood.
and our lives.
with our blood.
and our lives.
paid with our blood.
07 Hoods on Peregrine (03:31)
the blue light spills like oceans
we smile let it in
cures us of our questions
like hoods on peregrine
knowledge locked in a tower
barons will hold the key
but if knowledge is power
know this is tyranny
all were asking for
is what's ours
you think they're selling you truth
truth is they're selling you out
the black ink fuels our notions
that all the facts are in
it cures us of our questions
like hoods on peregrine
knowledge locked in a tower
barons will hold the key
but if knowledge is power
know this is tyranny
all we're asking for
all we're asking for
is what's ours
you think they're selling you truth
but they're just selling you
and if we keep buying in
the line between lies and truth
will wear paper thin
paper thin
you think they're selling you truth
truth is they're selling you out
08 The Melting Point of Wax (03:29)
I've waited for this moment
all my life and more
and now I see so clearly
what I could not see before
the time is now or never
and this chance won't come again
throw caution and myself into the wind
there's no promise of safety
with these secondhand wings
but I'm willing to find out
what impossible means
a leap of faith
parody of an angel
miles above the sea
I hear the voice of reason
screaming after me
you've flown far too high boy
now you're too close to the sun
soon your makeshift wings will come undone
but how will I know
limits from lies
if I never try
there's no promise of safety
with these secondhand wings
but I'm willing to find out
what impossible means
I climb through the heavens
on feathers and dreams
cause the melting point of wax
means nothing to me
nothing to me
nothing to me
I will touch the sun
or I will die trying
die trying
fly on these secondhand wings
I'm willing to find out
what impossible means
I climb though the heavens
on feathers and dreams
cause the melting point of wax
means nothing to me
nothing to me
it means nothing to me
miles above the sea
09 Blood Clots and Black Holes (02:50)
here's your new drug
shoot it in the left eye
feel it on the right side
no it's not love
though it sets up shop
behind your ribcage
building blood clots and black holes
like using an axe to pull
a sliver from your skin
and they say this is medicine
an overdose of oxygen
a severed head
as sedative
to be at peace would be a sin
and surely un-american
I'm breaking
here's your new blood
transfusion took us all night
tell us that your all right
no it's not love
though it feels that fire inside your vein
burning black beneath your wrist
begging for a razors kiss
to free it from your skin
and they say this is medicine
an overdose of oxygen
a severd head
as sedative
to be at peace would be a sin
its surely un-american
I'm breaking down
lift the veil
let the medicine in
and my heart fails
time and time again
10 The Artist in the Ambulance (03:39)
Late night, brakes lock, hear the tires squeal
Red light, can't stop so I spin the wheel
My world goes black before I feel an angel lift me up
And I open bloodshot eyes into fluorescent white
They flip the siren, hit the lights, close the doors and I am gone
Now I lay here owing my life to a stranger
And I realize that empty words are not enough
I'm left here with the question of just
What have I to show except the promises I never kept?
I lie here shaking on this bed, under the weight of my regrets
I hope that I will never let you down
I know that this can be more than just flashing lights and sound
Look around and you'll see that at times it feels like no one really cares
It gets me down but I'm still gonna try to do what's right, I know that there's
A difference between sleight of hand, and giving everything you have
There's a line drawn in the sand, I'm working up the will to cross it
I hope that I will never let you down
I know that this can be more than just flashing lights and sound
Rhetoric can't raise the dead
I'm sick of always talking when there's no change
Rhetoric can't raise the dead
I'm sick of empty words, let's lead and not follow
Late night, brakes lock, hear the tires squeal
Red light, can't stop so i spin the wheel
My world goes black before I feel an angel steal me from the
Greedy jaws of death and chance, and pull me in with steady hands
They've given me a second chance, the artist in the ambulance
I hope that I will never let you down
I know that this can be more than just flashing lights and sound
Can we pick you off the ground, more than flashing lights and sound
11 The Abolition of Man (02:45)
Wake up everyone
It's not too late
To save the remnants of
Our hearts stop giving up
Our last shattered love
Our only chance to find the meaning of
The beat beneath the blood
We laugh at honor and are shocked when
We find knives in our backs
We follow those who cheat and steal
Look in my eyes
You won't your way back
Our only cup is smashed under our own heels
Reason abandoned
To appitites and addicts arms
Shotguns in silence
Have always been the best arms
Wake up everyone
It's not too late
To save the remnants of
Out hearts
Stop giving up
Our last shot at love
Our only chance to find the meaning of
The beat beneath the blood
We laugh at honor and are shocked when
We find knives in our backs
We follow those who cheat and steal
Look in my eyes
You won't your way back
Our only cup is smashed under our own heels
The abolition of man is within the
The reach of science
but are we so far gone
that we'll try it?
12 Don't Tell and We Won't Ask (03:58)
paint the target
we don't need no evidence
flood the market
we do it all in self defense
you're a smart kid
never work without your gloves
if you're a smart kid
you'll stay the hell away from love
and if it comes to murder
don't tell and we won't ask you how
you sleep at night when the lights go out
and you're all alone
with all the ghosts of lesser humans
whose lives you've spilt to suit your own
sit and think of
all the dollars and the cents
and your blue blood
you'll see it all makes perfect sense
drink from this cup
a better life awaits us all
you're one of us
remember Conscience comes before the fall
your actions all are justified
your actions all are justified
and if it comes to murder
don't tell and we won't ask you how
you sleep at night when the lights go out
and you're all alone
with all the ghosts of lesser humans
whose lives you've spilt to suit your own
but don't we all know that this same red
don't we all know we bleed the same red blood?
13 Eclipse (03:22)
call everyone to arms
we'll fill the heavens
with the poisoned dreams of man
call everyone to arms
we forged these weapons
with the strength of our own hands
we shot the sun from the sky
apollo dead at our feet
we wander lost in the rye
we gather round in the street
for centuries we watched the sky
and burned to bridge the great divide
call everyone to arms
we'll fill the heavens
with the poisoned dreams of man
call everyone to arms
we forged these weapons
with the strength of our own hands
eclipse the body with stones
and lay him down with the rest
i smile when i am alone
and shed a tear for the press
for centuries we watched the sky
but now we burn with power and pride
cause we dug the body up
we drank his golden blood
and light shone from our eyes
but it was not enough
and we still dream of deicide
for centuries we watched the sky
we burned to bridge the great divide
but now we burn with power and pride
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