Beggars by Thrice

Originating from Irvine, California, Thrice, has been blessing progressive indie/ post hardcore rock with their music since 1998. The quartet consists of vocalist/guitarist Dustin Kensrue, lead guitarist Teppei Teranishi, bassist Ed Breckenridge and drummer Riley Breckenridge. In the beginning of their careers, Thrice was well known for their fast and hard style of music. Their heavily distorted guitar riffs, technical lead guitar solos and frequent changes of complex time signatures. As most artists do, Thrice grew as musicians as they grew older. This is evident in their newest album, Beggars. Their seventh and latest album is a ten song ballad about the different characteristics of humanity. Those characteristics being greed, passion, fear, regret, love, and anger. The most important message in the entire album is presented in the closing track. "Beggars" is a song about how most of the world may think they have complete control over their entire life and their circumstances, but the reality is that everything in life is out of our control in the end. Even the strongest or wealthiest can not be sure that they will wake up in the morning. Everything that we have received, everything we are, and will become has all been a gift. In that sense, we are "beggars" all.

Most of the song consists of a slow beat and soft vocals, which creates a haunting feel. Kenrue's soulful voice almost creates an image of a lonely tyrant as he realizes he has nothing left to live for. The songs power increases as the vocals become filled with anger and pain, the drums start pounding with force and the guitars begin to wail in the background. These elements help you visualize as these "men of power" lose their possessions in a hypothetical fire.

During the albums release date in 2009, the band most likely wanted to deal with the problems being faced in America. Thrice most likely felt they had to write about those corporate C.E.O.s who helped bring our nation's economy to fall while their pockets swelled. With the failing economy many people lost their jobs, Thrice also touched on the topic of the poor and their neediness. During this time of hardship there has been an increasing correlation to divorces. This leads the band to discuss the subject of divorce and lost love.

Whether you enjoy your rock fast and loud or slow and quiet, Thrice delivers music on both sides of the spectrum. If you want head banging, heart racing music, listen to The Illusion of Safety (2002) or The Artist in the Ambulance (2003). If you enjoy your rock on the softer side, check out The Alchemy Index (2007/2008) or Beggars (2009).

Thrice - "Beggars"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KhgtwsE3uc

All you great men of power, you who boast of your feats -
Politicians and entrepreneurs.
Can you safeguard your breath in the night while you sleep?
Keep your heart beating steady and sure?
As you lie in your bed, does the thought haunt your head
That you’re really, rather small?
If there’s one thing I know in this life: we are beggars all.

All you champions of science and rulers of men,
Can you summon the sun from its sleep?
Does the earth seek your counsel on how fast to spin?
Can you shut up the gates of the deep?
Don’t you know that all things hang, as if by a string,
O’er the darkness - poised to fall?
If there’s one thing I know in this life: we are beggars all.

All you big shots that swagger and stride with conceit,
Did you devise how your frame would be formed?
If you’d be raised in a palace, or live out in the streets,
Did you choose the place or the hour you’d be born?
Tell me what can you claim? Not a thing - not your name!
Tell me if you can recall just one thing,
That’s not a gift in this life?

Can you hear what’s been said?
Can you see now that everything’s grace after all?
If there’s one thing I know in this life: we are beggars all.