Five Stories Falling,
ThursdayHaving to review this CD presents me with quite a problem. On one hand, I find Thursday one of the most inventive and intelligent bands I have heard in a long time. Neither of their previous albums I can fault and they are nice guys to boot. On the other they have released a five track EP. No punishable offence I hear you scream, but when you take into account it consist of one new track and four live tracks off 'Full Collapse' you see where the problem lies.
It is fairly common knowledge now of the problems Thursday had with Island Records, and this EP cured them of that. Simply put the band had to release one more record before they could sign to Island Records, and 'Five Stories Falling' killed two birds with one stone, releasing a piece of music for their adoring fans and letting them leave Victory.
Anyway enough politics (spit) and onto the music. I’m pretty sure you all know what Thursday are about but for the uninitiated, they are a five piece post-hardcore band from New Jersey and specialise in making heavy music which does a good job catering for the mainstream as well. In Geoff Rickley they have one of the most thought provoking lyricists as well. The first of the four live tracks starts with 'Autobiography of a Nation' and the moment the strong NJ crowd crank the song up singing ‘Write these words back down’ shivers are sent down your spine in a way very few bands can manage. One pleasant surprise of the album is the way, it has not been tampered with too much. Too often these days, live albums come across as ‘best of’ and you rarely feel the energy and passion, and although a few touch ups here and there wouldn’t go amiss the music is so well constructed you forgive them for getting lost in the moment. 'Understanding in a car crash' and 'Standing on the edge of summer' follow a similar pattern leading up to the monstrous 'Paris in flames' with Rickley screaming at the top of his lungs. It’s the passion of the band which grab you.
'Jet Black New Year' is the new song which many of us heard for the first time at the Carling Festivals and doesn't disappoint a bit, and bodes well for the album this year. It feels a little darker than previous Thursday efforts, but still has all the staples that we have come to expect.
I would advise any hardcore fan out there to buy this short EP, the feeling you get when listening to Thursday live is like no other you can experience. To the casual fan though your money is best left in your pocket. At certain retail outlets it is simply not worth the 7.99 some places are expecting you to shell out.
Jay
