Thrice - The Artist in the Ambulance

by Andy Vincent

published: 7 / 10 / 2005

In his first article for us new Pennyblackmusic writer Andy Vincent writes about the impact hardcore/punk band Thrice's album 'The Artist in the Ambulance' had on him after he unexpectedly discovered them at the start of his college's summer holidays

Article

When deciding on which album I should write about for my 'Re: View' I thought about music that has both good memories and has changed my music taste or affected it in some way, After I explained my dilemma to my friend - he simply stated (after knowing me for quite some time) that it had to be 'The Artist in the Ambulance' by Thrice as it was an album we had both listened to for an entire summer after I had discovered them unexpectedly. So let me set the scene, I'm a youngish guy, and in June 2003 I had just left my first college (after my first year) feeling a little worse for wear, irritable and wondering if I would spend the rest of my life working in Tesco's like my mother said, The only thing that was cheering me up was the thought of going on holiday to Salou in Spain for a week with one of my friends. At the airport I thought "We need some new music for this holiday" and stopping in HMV in Gatwick I saw two CDs: One, The then new self-titled Deftones album. Two, Thrice's 'The Artist in the Ambulance', an album I had heard about through several friends in the local music scene. I don't know what compelled me to-I think it was just the cover-but I walked out with Thrice in my hands. To cut this part of the story short, I got to Spain, realised I had no CD player and had to wait to get home to hear this record. Cut to back in England, and my friend Tom has just bought his first car, with it's very own...tapedeck... I copied Thrice to tape and it became the ONLY thing we listened to for the rest of the summer. It inspired 175 mile drives for no reason, picking up girlfriends, and going to parties. It was generally a great summer and it dragged me out of my pit of educational misery and sent me back to college (it was not just the album obviously, but the entire summer had this effect.) Thrice consists of Dustin Kensrue on vocals and guitar, Teppei Teranishi on guitars, Riley Breckenridge on drums and brother Eddie Breckenridge on bass. 'The Artist in the Ambulance' was their third album, a follow up to their previous two albums, 'Identity Crisis' and 'The Illusion of Safety',both of which, while albeit underground, were relatively acclaimed punk/hardcore records. This much more mature third release received massive acclaim on its release, not only allowing original fans, but an entirely new group of fans to understand the way of Thrice. A band not only out to make great music, but also to support charity groups - Each album has a part of its takings given to the band's chosen charity for that record. I honestly think this album is one of the most meaningful albums I have heard since I started listening to music. It stretches across a spectrum from roaring heavy tracks to atmospheric soundscapes. These are created through the use of both standard equipment and various programming and other electronic methods, all without a single drop in its well thought out style; demonstrated perfectly by its players. To focus on the album as a whole for a moment - it is all brought together through the use of clever interludes , which allows not only for the album to be heard in a track by track method but also as one entire piece of work. This makes for excellent listening and allows you to get thoroughly into every song. Track by track the album shines from start to finish both in structure and in placement. There are heavy songs such as 'Under a Killing Moon' and 'Paper Tigers' which are not only modern in their use of hardcore influences but also reach that seminal level of "classic" by utilising the older more "metal" riffage and which merged together make an entirely fresh sound. There are also softer and much more mellow songs such as 'Stare at the Sun' and the title track, which, aside from keeping the speed and creativity of the songs, allow for a different type of listener to enjoy Thrice, and will perhaps lead them into enjoying the heavier songs on display here. Overall this slbum inspired not only a summer, but made me listen to whole new genres of music. It got me into entirely different bands like QandnotU and Thrice touring partners Vaux which have both left a deep and lasting impact on my (musical) life. If you get the chance, listen to it at least once, even just for the between song interludes. I hope you'll appreciate it as much as I do.