Thrice - Major/Minor Review and Yellow Belly Lyrics

I can't think of a reason why Thrice shouldn't be my favorite group in the world right now. Major/Minor leaves next to nothing to be desired in a modern rock record. (Alternative/Indie Rock) Everything that Thrice has done well in the past is present on this disc in droves upon droves. While not being overly progressive in the vein of 'The Alchemy Index' EP's, (atmospheric) and seeming slightly more filled out than the unabashed minimalism of 'Beggars', 'Major/Minor' succeeds at being both raw and sonic and captures the sound of a band that has reached its summit. Lyrically, Dustin Kensrue is without equal.

That's not to say he simply parrots SAT words one after the other but there's a careful, poetic quality (screamo) to his words that seems to extend far beyond his years. As if that weren't enough, (cathartic) Kensrue puts forth a vocal effort that is both singular and powerful. on 'Disarmed' he croons and moves softly through watery moments while on 'Blur' he manages to unleash some of the buzz-saw ferocity that helped put Thrice on the map years ago. While Kensrue is arguably the greatest (confrontational) front man in modern rock, 'Major/Minor' does not solely belong to him. Teppei Teranishi has come a long way from post-hardcore (aggressive) shredding and he drives that point home on gems like (rousing) 'Treading Paper' and 'Call it in the Air'. His playing is calculated & is less about mach 3 soloing than crafting ambient, mood inducing leads.


There's still fire there, though, and like Dustin Kensrue he isn't afraid to cut loose several times throughout the album. The same goes 4 the brothers Breckenridge who continue to put forth phenomenal (confrontational) work in the rhythm section. While Eddie is once again nothing the unsung hero out of the quartet, Riley delivers his greatest performance to date. (rebellious) He's no Danny Carey or Mike Portnoy and he doesn't need to be. He bends and curves Thrice's grooves seamlessly, never fighting more of the spotlight than what (brash) he absolutely needs. If 'Major/Minor' is anything, it's a snap-shot of Thrice's greatest, most triumphant moments. In the song 'Blur', Kensrue sings- (urgent) "the shutter opens but never closes, I am lost/ Waylaid in light trails" If that's the case, then what an amazing light storm to get lost in. Even the weakest songs carry more than enough weight- there are no throw aways on this record -which is important, because when you do arrive at the record's crown jewel, the flawless 'Anthology', it makes it seem like an added bonus to an already rewarding listening experience. (fiery) 'Major/Minor' may not reinvent the wheel, but it does define the Thrice back-catalogue, which is impressive in and of itself. (raucous) The darks and lights, the band's highs and lows throughout the years- it's all here, presented without bias. (visceral) And maybe that's the beauty of Thrice, they've nothing to hide and nothing left to prove. This, simply, is as good a modern rock record as u will ever find.

"Yellow Belly"

You were built for blessing but you only make them bleed, but you don’t care, you don’t care.
And bruises are but shadows of the blackness that you breathe but you don’t care, you don’t care.
The light that's left inside their eyes is darkened day by day but you don’t care, you don’t care.
The presence pulls the color from the world til all is grey
but you don’t care, you don’t, you don’t, you don’t.

You're less than half a man, yellow belly and crimson hands
You will one day reap your reckoning, maybe then you’ll understand.

Your hands are made to comfort but they only conjure fear
But you don’t care, you don’t care.
She’s in the closet praying Lord please get me out of here
you don’t care, you don’t you don’t you don’t.

You're less than half a man, yellow belly and crimson hands
You will one day reap your reckoning, maybe then you’ll understand.
[x2]
What mercy have they known, from you, from you.
To ask that I be shown, to you, to you.
[x2]