September 3, 2008

Many thought it was a little ambitious to book Thrice for two shows at the Corner Hotel last weekend. I was definitely one of them. Given the band’s recent habit of releasing some incredibly experimental material, which is a far cry, nay, a pained wail from their hardcore days, it was always going to be interesting to see how many fans were prepared to pay to hear material from both ends of the spectrum.

Reports from Saturday night’s show seemed to indicate that the combination of such varied styles in a live show context was a tad similar to a ride in my old ’82 Ford XE, bumpy, erratic, lacking in any kind of momentum to the point where any ambitious attempt to climb to steep new heights left you clutching at the dash, convinced you would soon start rolling backwards downhill.

However my experience at Sunday night’s show proved to be anything but. In an incredibly lame attempt to continue my ridiculous simile I tried to identify a car that was super attractive, modern and progressive yet with a hint of sentimentality. Something that handled confidently with an engine that purred and could kick from 0 –100km with superb ease. Alas, my knowledge of cars has let me down terribly, but suffice to say, Sunday was brilliant.

Seeing the ease with which each member handled their instrument in the most complex of compositions was impressive and part of me could see why performing classics like Deadbolt or Artist In The Ambulance might have lost its appeal when they’re clearly capable of so much more. In the end it was Vheissu- the middle ground album between their new styles -that proved the saviour of the show. For Miles was just breathtaking and their impressive three part harmony in final song The Earth Will Shake was seriously stunning, even my mum would have been crooning. All-in-all an excellent show. Schedule in some self-harm if you missed these guys.