The Alchemy Index Vols. III & IV


The Alchemy Index Vols. III & IV: Air & Earth is the sixth studio album by American rock band Thrice. It consists of the final two volumes of The Alchemy Index, a four-disc concept album that was split between two releases, the first in October 2007 and the second in April 2008. The band originally planned to release four discs at once, each disc with six tracks representing one of the four elements: Fire, Water, Earth, and Air. A blog titled The Alchemy Index chronicled the album's progress for fans. The artwork for the album was designed by Dustin Kensrue.

Composition

Both discs utilized acoustic guitars, synthesizers, piano and vocal harmonies. Many of the songs across both discs are anchored by Kensrue's voice, as little additions are heard from drummer Riley Breckenridge or bassist Eddie Breckenridge; percussion is heard on five of the 12 tracks. Briefs instances of distorted guitar parts are featured, however, they are predominantly replaced by clean guitar sounds.

''Vol. III: Air''

Vol. III: Air is a guitar-focused atmospheric rock release, alongside acoustic and up-tempo rock tracks. The disc's overall atmosphere recalled the Appleseed Cast and The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me -era Brand New, utilizing reverb and delay frequently. Kensrue said the disc was a summary of the other three discs; it featured some stripped-down material, electronic tracks, and full-band songs. Eddie Breckenridge cited artists he was listening to at the time as inspiration for the disc, namely Sufjan Stevens, Sigur Rós, and the Mercury Program. "Broken Lungs" is a mid-tempo track with delayed guitar parts, alongside bell chimes and a glockenspiel. Riley Breckenridge uses different drum tones and electronic drums. The bridge section sees Kensrue switching from screaming to a falsetto within a few seconds.
"The Sky Is Falling" is a pop rock song, which talks about the fallout of the September 11 attacks. It employs a number of effects, such as feedback, hammer-ons and echo-filled guitar work. "A Song for Milly Michaelson" is a minimalistic track with a repetitive guitar part and gentle vocals from Kensrue, which recalled Pedro the Lion frontman David Bazan. Gusts of wind are heard and build, alongside a reverb-hampered piano line. "Daedalus" discusses the Greek figure of the same name and his son Icarus. It has several bending guitar parts, and showcases Kensrue's aggressive vocal ability. It is a post-hardcore track, and was reminiscent of A Types and Magnetic North -era Hopesfall. "As the Crow Flies" sees Kensrue whispering throughout it, repeating the line "Fly over me"; it is followed by "Silver Wings", which incorporates the use of a breakbeat alongside organic drums.

''Vol. IV: Earth''

Vol. IV: Earth is an Americana, folk and roots rock release, inspired by soul music. It featured stripped-down, acoustic instrumentation, such as banjos, tambourines, piano, acoustic guitars, horns and upright bass. It channelled a mix of Bob Dylan, the National, Led Zeppelin and Murder by Death. The disc drew comparisons to Kensrue's debut solo album Please Come Home ; one track he planned to include on his solo album made its way onto the earth disc. "Moving Mountains" sees Kensrue rehash 1 Corinthians 13, which talks negatively of any act that lacks love. The blues-indebted guitar work utilizes hammer-ons and pull-offs, backed by arpeggios. "Digging My Own Grave" sees the earth as being the figure of death for a man living a chaotic life. It encapsulates the man's fear of his lifestyle being his own demise. Donia Lee contributes additional vocals to the track, which also features woodwind instrumentation and finger snapping. Kensrue's vocals sit atop a jazz-esque piano progression.
The band covered the Frodus song "The Earth Isn't Humming", which they turned into a slow-tempo country-esque track, complete with banjos. "The Lion and the Wolf" consists of solely a piano and Kensrue's vocals. "Come All You Weary" uses the earth as a metaphor to unite the human race, and sets up unanimity among one another. It features an organ, against a repetitive acoustic guitar chord progression. For "Child of Dust", the group put a microphone in a coffin and buried it in full-funeral style. The track becomes muffled over time, eventually closes with the sound of shovels clinking into dirt and rocks. It features backing vocals from Aushua, Nick Bogardus, Brent Kredel and Brett Williams, alongside trumpets and a repetitive piano line.

Release

The first half, The Alchemy Index Vols. I & II: Fire & Water, was released on October 16, 2007. On January 25, 2008, The Alchemy Index Vols. III & IV: Air & Earth was announced for release in April. In February, the group went on a headlining Canadian tour with support from Say Anything and Attack in Black. "Come All You Weary" was made available for streaming through the group's Myspace profile on February 29, before being released as a single on March 4. It featured an acoustic version of "The Whaler", a remix of "Digital Sea", and the music video for said track. Later that month, "Broken Lung" was posted on their Myspace on March 28.
The Alchemy Index Vols. III & IV: Air & Earth was made available for streaming on their Myspace on April 11, before being released on April 15. To promote its release, the group went on a US tour with Circa Survive and Pelican. On May 5, the band appeared on Late Night with Conan O'Brien. A music video was released for "Come All You Weary" on July 31, which was followed by a UK and European tour in August In October and November, the band supported Rise Against on their headlining tour of the US. A live album, recorded in May, titled Live at the House of Blues was released in December. A Legion of Doom remix of "Broken Lung" appeared on the in January 2009.

Reception

The Alchemy Index Vols. III & IV debuted at number 17 on the Billboard 200, selling 21,400 copies in its first week. It charted on three other component charts: number 1 on Independent Albums, number 4 on Alternative Albums and Top Rock Albums. Outside of the US, it reached number 13 in Canada, and number 140 in the UK.

Track listing

All music by Thrice, all lyrics by Dustin Kensrue.

Personnel

Personnel per booklet.
Thrice
Additional musicians
Production