Thursday - Common Existence

[Drew Beringer]

Thursday – Common Existence
Release Date: February 17, 2009
Record Label: Epitaph

The critical and fan reception to Thursday’s 2006 release, A City By The Light Divided, were, at best, lukewarm. It caused a divide among fans; either you loved it or you hated it. There was no middle ground. City took on a more experimental route with Thursday’s signature sound still woven in. Some complain about the tone of the album, most complained about the production of Dave Fridmann (I personally love it). So when the Jersey sextet announced that Fridmann would be producing the band’s Epitaph debut, Common Existence, fans were naturally wary.

The fears of some will be squashed immediately when first single “Resuscitation of a Dead Man” blasts out of the barrel. The openers on each Thursday album have always been a kick in the balls, and this track is no different. “Resuscitation” sets the pace of Common Existence: urgent and in your face. “Last Call” gradually rises into the beautiful crashing of cymbals and chords. The track is calm and chaotic at once, leaving you dizzy. And “Friends In The Armed Forces” is an absolute doozy. The guitar chords rip as vocalist Geoff Rickly yelps frantically.

“Beyond The Visible Spectrum” begins with a methodical drum roll and sampled strings that are quickly evaporated by the frenzy of chords from guitarists Tom Keeley and Steve Pedulla. The song is equally gentle and forceful, incorporating different sensations throughout. “Time’s Arrow” is a slow acoustic track that will swoon through your earphones.

“Unintended Long Term Effects” is like one of those 5-hour energy drinks. The urgency in Rickly’s voice, along with some well-placed screams, will make this an immediate fan favorite. The fluidity of “Circuits Of Fever” and “Subway Funeral” is pristine and set the stage for the final two tracks of Common Existence. “Love Has Led Us Astray” is a delicate track that pulsates through your veins. The subtleties in this track are what make it standout.

The final track, “You Were The Cancer,” reminds me of why I fell in love with Thursday so many years ago. The intro of the track is like a warning signal, informing you of oncoming chaos. This track bleeds emotion. The screams are perfect, the bridge is chilling, and the outro is remarkable. This is easily one of the ten best Thursday songs ever, and when the dust settles, you, the listener, will sit in silence briefly, trying to take in what just hit you.

Over the course of the last few years, Thursday has seemed to be the forgotten band, one we take for granted. But with Common Existence, Thursday will be knocking down doors throughout 2009. It has been a long time since Thursday has been this good musically and lyrically. This album will win back all of those who gave up on Thursday after City was released. On “Resuscitation of a Dead Man,” Rickly sings, “Can you feel a pulse?/It’s been stopped for so long./Let’s restart it!” I couldn’t sum up the album and its impact any better.

Track Listing
1. Resuscitation of a Dead Man (ft. Tim McIlrath of Rise Against)
2. Last Call
3. As He Climbed The Dark Mountain
4. Friends In The Armed Forces
5. Beyond The Visible Spectrum
6. Time's Arrow
7. Unintended Long Term Effects
8. Circuits of Fever
9. Subway Funeral
10. Love Has Led Us Astray
11. You Were The Cancer
Produced by: Dave Fridmann

Thursday is:
Geoff Rickly - vocals
Tom Keeley - guitar
Tim Payne - bass
Tucker Rule - drums
Steve Pedulla - guitar
Andrew Everding - keys

Official Website (http://www.thursday.net); Official Myspace (http://www.myspace.com/thursday); Official AP.net Profile (http://www.absolutepunk.net/thursday)

[hockeyguitar99]

Awesome review Drew. Did you like this less then ACBTLD or has your rating just changed?

I really like this album.

[batmannj]

i cant wait to hear this record.

[batmannj]

oh and awesome review Drew.

[Drew Beringer]

Awesome review Drew. Did you like this less then ACBTLD or has your rating just changed?

I really like this album.
I like it a lot more than ACBTLD.

[zubinmoosa]

Nice review. First impressions are good, needs more listens though.

[Burn That Shit]

Cool review. I haven't heard anything from this yet but I'm pumped.

[heyzombiehitler]

That was quick. Im excited to listen to this.

[Chris Fallon]

Holy shit, you are right -- "You Were The Cancer" is remarkable.

I've flipped through it, but not enough to form an opinion yet. Nice work, Drew.

[Drew Beringer]

That was quick. Im excited to listen to this.
I have had the album for three weeks.

[Un'Aria Ancora]

Oh God, I'm happy in the pants.

[WhoSaidThat?]

Great review, dude. I have a good feeling that you're right on the money.

[fadedmemories]

This just made my day :-)

[Toner]

You have got me far too pumped for "You Were The Cancer"...

Thursday closers are always killer. "Autumn Leaves Revisited" and "Tomorrow I'll Be You" both stand as some of my all time favourite songs. If "You Were The Cancer" is on the same scale and grandeur of those songs I may well explode with contentment...

[iwasahero]

Love it.

Last three songs are awesome, favorite track on the album after two listens would be Subway Funeral.

[trappedintime]

Great review. I'll have to pick this up soon.

[Mediocrity]

It's not hitting me so far.

[makeoutmags]

iiiii need to hear this album, now.

[SwishMX48]

Nice! I'm so pumped on Epitaph this year

[Circa1628]

really great review. Can't wait to hear the album, especially the last track.

[Anton Djamoos]

You have got me far too pumped for "You Were The Cancer"...

Thursday closers are always killer. "Autumn Leaves Revisited" and "Tomorrow I'll Be You" both stand as some of my all time favourite songs. If "You Were The Cancer" is on the same scale and grandeur of those songs I may well explode with contentment...
No mention of "How Long is the Night?"

[Rodeo]

Great review, Drew! I can't wait to hear this!

[ZeoVGM]

Holy shit, this leaked?

[therookielot]

Holy shit, this leaked?
The 128 kbps is on demonoid, but drew's had the album for almost a month.

[Everiggs]

Now I'm even more excited for this release.

[FMTMSINGER]

how are you guys other then drew listing to the songs already? if some one could tell me that would be awesome! i already got my cd and lp pre orders of common existence placed. to me thursday never went away a city by the light divided was a good cd i mean it was a little diffrent but the true thursday sound was inbeded in that album at this volocity defintaly was vintage thursday.

[SandManTEND13]

Great review drew

[ashiex3]

good review.
im cant wait to hear this.

[MyNameIsKyle]

The critical and fan reception to Thursday’s 2006 release, A City By The Light Divided, were, at best, lukewarm. It caused a divide among fans; either you loved it or you hated it. There was no middle ground.

I thought it was just okay.

[The Personist]

Knowing this album is awesome makes me happy. I liked ACBTLD, but I felt it was missing something. Apparently that something is back.

I was also glad to hear Fridmann producing again. I like him. Why was there so much hate?

[reissgoespunk]

It's solid, but the drum production is atrocious.

[bloodyr0mance87]

good review. totally excited for this.

[zFrog]

Eh.. don't download the copy from demonoid, besides being in a crappy quality its watermarked, don't judge the album on that leak

Other than that.. so excited for this album

[the rog]

The first single sounds like ATDI to me, and that's a good thing

[airik625]

Great review. Love the album.

[noles848]

never been able to get into this band, is this a good album to start with??

[crit]

Nice work Drew. Could not agree more about "You Were the Cancer."

[Shatter_Glass]

i love friedmans production on city. i hope this record is a sister to city.

[Xianmusicfan]

None of these songs are in anyway similar to Jet Black New Year...right? Cuz that song was horrible

[SellMachines]

cant wait to hear it

[Toner]

No mention of "How Long is the Night?"
I do love "How Long is the Night?" but it doesn't hold a torch to the other two songs in my eyes. "Tomorrow I'll Be You" and "Autumn Leaves Revisited" are just two songs in a rare species of utterly perfect songs. Shivers galore.

[boykosaurus]

Great review, hopefully the album does sound this awesome.

[Drew Beringer]

never been able to get into this band, is this a good album to start with??
Full Collapse

[heyozzie]

holy shit im so pumped for this. good work drew, always good to see some thursday love in this site.

[infmoe]

I can't wait to hear the new album of my favorite band in today's modern rock era.

[quo.vadis]

I, for one, actually liked A City by the Light Divided a lot. I'd even go so far as to say it's my favorite Thursday album.

[Petzl]

Listening to this album now, so far it's spectacular.

[iamtaylorrr]

So goooood. I loved the electronic stuff in You Were The Cancer

[derian2219]

Oh my, I am so pumped to get this.

[weworemasks]

I, for one, actually liked A City by the Light Divided a lot. I'd even go so far as to say it's my favorite Thursday album.

i'm disgusted.

[drudo182]

Drew, wtf. You've heard this!!! So jealous.

Nice review too.

[acor]

I cant wait for this!!!

[Kbm600]

I thought it was just okay.
Same.

And this is probably my favorite review by you Drew, nice job. Maybe it's just 'cause I'm anticipating it so much haha.

[Alex DiVincenzo]

I wasn't a fan of the last one, so I'm excited for this

[queenofcrouton]

I thought it was just okay.
Same here.

I'm really fucking stoked for this release.

[I am Mick]

This album is so fucking good

[aradiantsunrise]

Awesome review there, Drew. So stoked for this album!

[sdisticsquirrel]

SOOOO excited for this release
i know it's not until February, but i'm looking for this album to kick off this musical year with a bang as only Thursday can do...

[SingleDoubt]

as i've was saying in the forums all night, this album is absolutely amazing.

[Jason Tate]

It's solid, but the drum production is atrocious.
http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?p=32702762#post32702 762

[teh_erica]

I'm really excited to hear this album after reading this. I hope it's as good as it sounds.

[jtyexists9]

I am excited to hear this now.

[BruisedxBroken]

A small step up from city, but the greatness of collapse and war seems even more distant now...

[brandnew21g]

Amazing review, Drew. Extremely excited for this

[Machu505]

This album is great.

[irthesteve]

interested in hearing it

[Keagan Ilvonen]

Ahhhh god. One of my favorite bands. Very nice job Drew, can't wait to hear this. Gotta preorder soon.

[xsinkshipsx]

i loved the track by track analysis, it was very concise but very informative at the same time. great review, can't wait for this cd

[TakenByCars]

that was a great review. i'll definitely pick this up when it hit the stores.

[TBSowns524]

color me excited

[Poochemist]

I was the middle ground in A City By the Light Divided. It was meh.

[deadwrong188]

None of these songs are in anyway similar to Jet Black New Year...right? Cuz that song was horrible
for real?

[Petzl]

Now that I listened to it all the way through...I will have no problem blasting this album repeatedly, it's definitely a great album filled with energy. Some of it reminds me of the UN album (obviously) but it's a step in the right direction.

[Dr. Acula]

I cant wait to hear this. One of my all time favorite bands and they've never ever let me down.

[George-Michael]

None of these songs are in anyway similar to Jet Black New Year...right? Cuz that song was horrible
lolwut

[p, FRY]

a bit early for the review [1 month] but definitely has me excited to give this a listen.

[TastyBeverage]

Absolutely stoked for this album!

[cako86]

awesome review!

and awesome album...it leaked...
i downloaded, but also pre-ordered, as i think everyone should...this is one of the most talented and passionate bands around, so please support them!
and geoff, if you're reading this:
COME TO DENMARK!!

[concealer611]

Man can't wait to hear this, I was also one of the many that were disappointed with ACBTLD, sounds like they are back to form.

[ImTheSheriff]

None of these songs are in anyway similar to Jet Black New Year...right? Cuz that song was horrible
are you serious? that is my favorite thursday song.

[heyzombiehitler]

I have had the album for three weeks.

That makes you a bastard because im having trouble finding it. Probally getting the LP when it comes out.

[[Mike]]

Definitely agree about "You Were The Cancer", the final minute of that is just chilling in how incredible it is, by far the best closing song on any Thursday album.

[Hoodrich219]

Very well put Drew. I reacted the very same way to "You Were The Cancer" Absolutely love it. The album as a whole is stellar. I personally feel that Thursday has always put out solid releases each time though as I rather enjoyed ACBTLD. This is just another amazing addition.

[saysmydoctor]

i'm disgusted.
Preference is fickle.

[Barto1127]

where is tim in that first track?

[racecar]

Not a super strong review. seems like the track by track synapsis mentions the word "chords" too much. almost every song ever written has chords. Let's dive a little deeper.

[weworemasks]

Preference is fickle.
just my opinion, d00d.

[saysmydoctor]

just my opinion, d00d.
It was his too. Disgusted? Why not agree to disagree?

[weworemasks]

k, boss.

[dirtysneakers]

Want Want Want

[manican sex]

Drew I hate that you have both this and the new P.O.S. Very jealous

[hcky0819]

So stoked for the new Thursday album! i hope it lives up to this review. I am ready to get my ears blown apart once again.

[Toner]

where is tim in that first track?
He's mainly backing vocals for the chorus, but his screams are pretty prominent from 1:30 onwards. I didn't hear it first time round either, I just assumed it was Andrew :S

[Domenic182]

I really didn't care for ACBTLD, so I don't really think I'll buy this without listening first.

[xtheaudition]

tasty

[DGlazier]

The 128 kbps is on demonoid, but drew's had the album for almost a month.
Btw, can someone invite me to demonoid? Im waiting for this album, dont worry, but I would like a demonoid account. Anyone want to help a brotha out?

[EvilZeppelin]

I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS WAS FUCKEN RECORDED ABOUT 15MINS AWAY FROM ME!!!

sorry for caps lol.

[THE_SICKEST]

Great review. Really made me a lot more excited for this release.


“Can you feel a pulse?/It’s been stopped for so long./Let’s restart it!” I couldn’t sum up the album and its impact any better.

Pretty much what I got from the song as well, this album is Thursday's resuscitation.

[RetardedInLove]

Oh man, why did you have to review this so early?? It's just gonna make the wait that much harder. I seriously haven't looked forward to a CD this much in a long time. I loved ACBTLD and to hear you say that this album is better than that one makes me really excited to hear it.

[YeahRiight]

fuck, you are such a good writer.

circuits of fever is too good.

[YeahRiight]

I really didn't care for ACBTLD, so I don't really think I'll buy this without listening first.
This album really isn't anything like ACBTLD, it is a LOT heavier. I think 'frantic' is the best way to describe this album. You never know what it is going to do next.

[Domenic182]

This album really isn't anything like ACBTLD, it is a LOT heavier. I think 'frantic' is the best way to describe this album. You never know what it is going to do next.
I might buy.

[justcantwait]

This album is like a mix of all their albums to make something amazing. And "You were the Cancer" is such an awesome song.

[You Won't Know]

I guess some people evidently have the ripped version but I think I am going to wait for the pre-order to come in. That said, I am so pumped about this now!

[You Won't Know]

for real?
That's what I said. I assume he's being sarcastic? Jet Black is such a great song - maybe the heaviest they've ever written?

[Clark]

...How did people not like A City by the Light Divided?

I guess most people listened to it once and gave up. I didn't like it much the first few times, but after listening to it many times I've realized that it's some of their strongest work to date.

[Romancebled]

this album is incredible. i can't wait to have the physical copy in my hands.

[deadwrong188]

That's what I said. I assume he's being sarcastic? Jet Black is such a great song - maybe the heaviest they've ever written?
one of my favorites... and common existence is so good, ive been listening to it nonstop.

[LongDistanceDrunk]

Drew why didn't you mention Last Call is a reworked version of Demo 5 from the ACBLTD demos?

[Mattylikesfilms]

i thought the album was ok. deffffffffff better than the last shit they put out.


war all the time is (imo) their best album and i doubt them ever topping it.

[LongDistanceDrunk]

i'm disgusted.
The word disgusting should never be used to discuss anything Thursday related.. I'm still puzzled by the hate for ACBTLD on AP. Everyone I know loved it and all the reviews I read for it were postiive. I only ever hear bad things about it on here.

[The Personist]

The word disgusting should never be used to discuss anything Thursday related.. I'm still puzzled by the hate for ACBTLD on AP. Everyone I know loved it and all the reviews I read for it were postiive. I only ever hear bad things about it on here.
Needs more breakdowns.

Duh.

[jay_klinkhammer]

None of these songs are in anyway similar to Jet Black New Year...right? Cuz that song was horrible


So incorrect

[brent-almariah]

I can't wait for this, I've heard you were the cancer and it was amazing.

[DangerousDarrin]

I, for one, actually liked A City by the Light Divided a lot. I'd even go so far as to say it's my favorite Thursday album.

Agreed. It had some of the best mucisianship they've ever done. It's also the most solid album I've heard by them. I can listen all the way through over and over again.

[mynameistaken]

thursday fuckin rules

[weworemasks]

The word disgusting should never be used to discuss anything Thursday related.. I'm still puzzled by the hate for ACBTLD on AP. Everyone I know loved it and all the reviews I read for it were postiive. I only ever hear bad things about it on here.

it's boring and anti-climactic, save 2 or 3 songs. the production is atrocious.

[Chalie22]

This record is insanely good... I'm glad Thursday got to work with Epitaph and put out the record that they wanted to put out

Its been on repeat alot for me

[LongDistanceDrunk]

...How did people not like A City by the Light Divided?

I guess most people listened to it once and gave up. I didn't like it much the first few times, but after listening to it many times I've realized that it's some of their strongest work to date.
That makes sense. People probably wrote it off before investing enough time in it.
I didn't like it and first but after awhile it became my favorite Thursday album. It has the most diverse combination of different types of songs than any other Thursday album. Also none of the songs bleed together or are sub par something which had been a problem on all their previous albums.

[reissgoespunk]

http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?p=32702762#post32702 762


Replied.

[EndSerenading]

Let me start off by saying that this album made me step back and realize that I have been listening to this band for about 9 years now...time has FLOWN by. I picked up a copy of 1999's "waiting" in 2000 at a friends recommendation and enjoyed it a lot, I wasnt absolutely floored but it was impressive and got me interested in getting "Full Collapse" when it came out.

Now is when the "floored" expression will get used. First listen through "Full Collapse" in 2001 and I was floored. They blew me away. It was unique, aggressive, melodic, and honest.

No autotune on those often out of key vocals.
Hardly any doctoring of his not so perfect scream.
Just pure passion and raw powerful music. Their live shows at the time were incredible (still are decent but im biased to 2001-2002 era Thursday shows).

The only downside of me liking "Full Collapse" so much is the fact that it set up huge expectations to the point where I was let down by the "War All the Time" and severely/hugely let down by 2006's "A City By the Light Divided."

Because of all of that, I came into this album not knowing what to expect. Would this band return to their genre defining 2001 self? Or would they continue to write "decent" music that lived in the shadow of "Full Collapse"?

My answer? While they didn't pass "Full Collapse" in my books (to be honest, I dont think that Thursday ever will impact me that much again), I think this is their best release since "Full Collapse." And, thats a pretty respectable position to be in.

80% for me on the first 5 listen throughs.

[cockers]

Common Existence is so good, I have never heard anything like it. Its like a mix of thursday with electronics and My Bloody Valentine and early Thursday stuff with progressive song structures like Refused. If A City by the Light Divided was Thursday's best record musically, then Common Existence is their best creatively. Some of the cool sounds they make on this record make me think that Thursday will be around for a long time, because you can't classify something like this. The only record I think that is as close to Common Existence in vision and beauty is Radiohead's In Rainbows. Bring on the posts.

[jetblack1231]

drews right

you were the cancer is one sick song.

i liked Time's Arrow. I'm glad to see it made the record... i loved the earlier version ("A Sketch of Time's Arrow") off Kill the house lights..im really happy it made it on this one.

this album met and exceeded my expectations. i love it.

[mycuban]

this is just so good, what a great record!

[EndSerenading]

after 15 or so listens of "common existence" I feel like their full length studio releases are prob ranked like this for me now:

1) Full Collapse
2) Common Existence
3) War All The Time
4) A City By the Light Divided

[FUCKDIRTYWIPES]

this cd really surprised me...wow, its good.

[Indiepunk]

This thread has me going crazy to want to hear the new album.

I am always the minority opinion in any conversation so I don't mind being the black sheep in this one. ACBTLD is such a great album. I can't believe people want to say anything bad about it. I have a personal connection to Full Collapse because where I was in my life but that doesn't mean songs like "At This Velocity" or "The Other Side Of The Crash Over And Out" are any less valid than "Cross Out The Eyes" or "Paris In Flames". It's just more polished by production.

I was upset when I finished photoing the first three Thursday songs on the ACBTLD Tour and had to leave to interview Circa Survive. I remember telling Anthony Green how much I loved "The Lovesong Writer" as we were walking and I could hear it in the background.

Does anyone remember the Thursday/Thrice Tour. Both bands with new releases and split covers of AP. I wondered back stage and found a bright eyed and smiling Geoff chilling out. I have a picture of us somewhere. I also lucked out when Thursday was suppose to play a big show with AFI in I believe West Palm, FL but Davey Havoc had voice problems. Thursday played this little venue Kelsey Cub in Lake Park which was like a basement show. I got to talk with Geoff after for the second time.

There aren't many bands I have stuck with for this long. There is a reason I keep up with Thursday.

[Rubbersoul87]

Like what i hear so far. Steppin their game up.

[songforthedeaf]

great read, though you did one of my pet peeves when I'm editing reviews, you said the word band 3 times in like two sentences! maybe its just me, but It just reads really odd.

Thursday has seemed to be the forgotten band, band we take for granted. But with Common Existence, the band will be knocking down doors throughout 2009

[Greg.Kushlan]

Just pre-ordered it, can't wait to hear it :-).

[jaredCoO]

Great review, loved the album the instant I got it.

[MattADALIE]

I seriously can't wait for this album. The review was very helpful. From what I've heard in "Resuscitation of a Dead Man and "Friends in the Armed Forces", I know this band will not disappoint. I'm not even going to bother looking for a leaked version. I want the actual album. I love ALL their albums and I've been a fan for eight years. Thursday is one of my favorite bands ever and I'm positive Common Existence will be an incredible release.

[jaywarden1]

I've only given this a few listens so I can't give a solid opinion, but I'm really hating the production

The songs themselves sound great, but they just sound poorly produced to me
You can tell the vocals were subtly layered and it makes them sound less natural and really produced especially on "as he climbed the dark mountain".

When i heard that track on the split with envy it instantly became one of my favorite Thursday tracks, but the album version sounds shit compared to the version on the split. Especially the vocals, they sound way more powerful and natural on the split version.

I guess I'm just really hating on Fridmann's production, because if you compare the two versions of that track the split ep version sounds INFINITELY better

[jaywarden1]

Either way, War All The Time remains in my top albums of all time

[birthstoned]

This album is brilliant. Every track is unique and thats perhaps why i listened to it so often.

[WasteofPaint31]

Always have been and always will be one of the best bands of my generation.

Great Release, from a band that changed my perception of music circa Full Collapse

[SKM]

I just bought the album and I'm listening to "You Were The Cancer".

What's the big deal about this song? The intro is cool but everything else is just dull.

Also the production on this album sucks. You can barely hear Geoff's voice- it's like it was recorded in someone's basement.

[Clark]

The only thing I don't like about it sound-wise is that the drums often get lost in the mix. When you can hear the drums, they sound great (anyone who complains about how they sound must not play drums themselves), but when a song starts to pick up and there's a lot going on, you can barely distinguish them from the mass of sound.

I'm going to wait a few months before I comment on the songs themselves, however, because it took me quite a while to evaluate each of their past releases and it's going to be no different here.

[andherewego]

Great review on a great album. definitely agree with what you say about "You Were the Cancer." Only problem i have with this album is how Geoff's vocals were recorded, as they are hard to hear in many spots.

[CarouselBoy]

a little bit scaled down from your A City By The Light Divided review there drew. This is a band that i've wanted to get into and never really have been able to.

[dhelmick]

None of these songs are in anyway similar to Jet Black New Year...right? Cuz that song was horrible
a few people have already said what but i have to add one more. i know people have different tastes in music and songs but i thought this song was one that every single person in the world could listen to and love. this comment supprised me

[lifeintherye]

the production isn't perfect on this cd either. however after a huge upset with their last cd i am in love with this band again. i am from jersey, close to their area and have been listening to them, going to their shows for years and years. i was hesitant about even picking this cd up, but the kid working at the store had a thursday tattoo so i talked to him about it and he said definately get it and as he said the same thing about them right off the bat.


and Jet Black New years was amazing...especially after reading their stories for why that song came about, it made me understand it and respect it even more.

[dhelmick]

the production isn't perfect on this cd either. however after a huge upset with their last cd i am in love with this band again. i am from jersey, close to their area and have been listening to them, going to their shows for years and years. i was hesitant about even picking this cd up, but the kid working at the store had a thursday tattoo so i talked to him about it and he said definately get it and as he said the same thing about them right off the bat.


and Jet Black New years was amazing...especially after reading their stories for why that song came about, it made me understand it and respect it even more.
yea the strories for jet black new year are sweet. i got the limited edition vinyl and the one insert kind of gave a summary of why it was written. its a painful song to say the least.

[lifeintherye]

yea the strories for jet black new year are sweet. i got the limited edition vinyl and the one insert kind of gave a summary of why it was written. its a painful song to say the least.
yup. the stories were great and the summary was also there, i personally thought the song was great to begin with, but looking and finding the summary with it just made it that much better.

[dhelmick]

yup. the stories were great and the summary was also there, i personally thought the song was great to begin with, but looking and finding the summary with it just made it that much better.
once again agreed. like i thought it was a great song but i never really thought it was about the guys in the band hating each other. plus i never really knew the guys were so close to breaking up. its kind of hard to find news about thursday unless you really search for it. but great song, lyrics, and everything.

[xapplexpiex]

War All the Time got me into this band. I only liked a couple of songs off of ACBTLD. But I love this album. It's so intense, but it's also very poetic. I'm loving it.

[FormerClarity]

I got into Thursday through A City by the Light Divided so I have a weird nostalgic attachment for it.

I know the fans of the older Thursday hate it or love it. You shouldn't hate on fans like me :(

This album is solid but I think City or War is better. Just my opinion.

[TotalCollapse]

Great review and an amazing album. It had definitely been my favorite album so far this year. There aren't any songs that I don't like in the album and I can easily listen to it over and over again with skipping tracks. Everything about the album is excellent and seeing them perform the album live was better than I ever thought it could be. I also enjoyed the lyrics a lot and you can tell that a lot of thought went into them.

[texasuckfest]

its a good album

[dhelmick]

I just bought the album and I'm listening to "You Were The Cancer".

What's the big deal about this song? The intro is cool but everything else is just dull.

Also the production on this album sucks. You can barely hear Geoff's voice- it's like it was recorded in someone's basement.
yea i dont get the big deal with you were the cancer. i like the song but it is in no way the better of the cd. and i deffinately agree with the thing about geoffs voice. i said the same thing on the other review of this album. Geoffs voice and lyrics were always the major reason i liked thursday and lately his voice has just got lost in the noise. its upsetting

[jasonmeowz]

i love this album, but city was better

[elemenohpe]

this is easily my favorite release of 2009 so far. love it.

i was one of the many that straight up hated ACITLD but, this record is both the heaviest thursday release as well as the most atmospheric and (at times) psychadelic.

it has quickly become not only one of my tops in '09 but has earned a spot in my eyes as one of the best albums since Kid A, Disintegration, or well... Full Collapse.

[denissuxx]

Solid album

[dhelmick]

i love this album, but city was better
id have to agree

[ivantoar]

I heard this album as my first time I listened to Thursday. At first, I can't understand the music itself, but after many times listening, I agree that this is the best Thursday's album after Full Collapse.

[MECHATANNER]

perfect review. thursday has long stood as one of my favorite bands(my friends dont even know who they are?), and as the original kings of post-hardcore, they definitely did not dissapoint with this cd.
the sound was definitely a little different, but it makes the emotion come through each lyric so well.
Thursday is definitely here to stay.
Subway Funeral would be my favorite. Rickly does an amazing job with the vox on this entire cd.. right before it came out I saw them at TOC.. INSANE.

[nbtobias]

Just have to write that every single time I listen to this album it blows my mind, every song is absolutely brilliant.