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Vheissu

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Vheissu
Studio album by
Thrice
ReleasedOctober 18, 2005
RecordedApril–June 2005
StudioBearsville Studios, Bearsville, New York
Genre
Length49:20
LabelIsland
ProducerSteve Osborne
Thrice chronology
If We Could Only See Us Now
(2005) 		Vheissu
(2005) 		The Alchemy Index Vols. I & II
(2007)
Singles from Vheissu
  1. "Image of the Invisible"
    Released: September 20, 2005

Vheissu (pronounced "vee-sue")[1] is the fourth studio album by American rock band Thrice. Released on October 18, 2005 through Island Records, the album spawned one charting single, "Image of the Invisible", which peaked at No. 24 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart.

Background

Following the release of The Illusion of Safety in 2002, the group were the subject of a major-label bidding war. They eventually signed to Island Records, who released The Artist in the Ambulance in 2003.[2] Two of its singles, "All That's Left" and "Stare at the Sun", appeared on the Alternative Songs radio chart.[3] The group toured for a year and a half to promote the album, however, they became exhausted from the touring,[4] and took a month-long break in July 2004.[5] During this break, the members used this time to write material and experiment with music[6] separately. Drummer Riley Breckenridge said Brian McTernan, who had produced Artist, told the band to start writing as soon as they had finished recording Artist.[5]

Following the break, the group spent eight-to-nine months in a home studio that they had built at guitarist Teppei Teranishi's house. A lot of the demos they had recorded were melodic, piano-focused songs, a change from their earlier hardcore punk/metal-influenced material.[5] By February 2005, the group had stockpiled around 20 songs and were looking for a producer.[7] Vocalist/guitarist Dustin Kensrue said they wanted someone who lacked a formula when producing heavier rock music.[8] In addition, eight of the 20 songs had been incorporated into the group's live shows.[7] Stop-gap release If We Could Only See Us Now, which featured outtakes and live recordings, appeared in March.[9]

Recording

Pre-production was done in mid-March with producer Steve Osborne.[10] Breckenridge said they chose him because of his work with Doves and Placebo. The band wanted a new perspective on the song writing process from Osborne, whose past credits include many British rock and electronic hits.[6] Osborne had not heard of the group or had any interest in the group's music scene prior to the sessions.[11] According to Kensrue, they group hoped Osborne's "strength with mellower stuff" would aid them "explore that side of our music a little more."[8] Recording took place at Bearsville Studios in Bearsville, New York between April and June 2005.[12]

Breckenridge said that the studio was "so secluded and so cut off from everything ... and it was really cool" to have a break from the distractions of their home lives.[13] Breckenridge said the recording process was about "getting a collective feel" of the group and retaining their "live energy".[11] The group took a brief break from the studio in late April to play The Bamboozle and Coachella festivals.[14] Dave Schiffman was the main engineer for the sessions with assistance from Chris Laidlow and Jeff Gehlert. The recordings were mixed by Sean Beavan at The Pass Studios in Los Angeles, California with assistant engineer Zephyrus Sowers. They were then mastered by Brian Gardner at Bernie Grundman Mastering in Los Angeles.[12]

Composition

Overview

Kensrue found the phrase Vheissu in the book V. by Thomas Pynchon. Breckenridge explained that Kensrue "thought it was a really pretty sounding word ... It's just kind of thrown out there".[1] Breckenridge said the title was also the name of a "gateway at the bottom of Mount Vesuvius to a bunch of tunnels into the underworld."[13] The album is a song cycle revolving around the themes of optimism and hope, despite continuous darkness.[2] Almost half of the record features direct quotations from the Bible; heavy usage is heard in "For Miles".[15] The record is characterized by many critics as being a rather experimental deviation from Thrice's post-hardcore roots, with the implementation of elements such as piano melodies ("For Miles") and electronica ("Red Sky").[6] Parts of it recalled the post-hardcore stylings of At the Drive-In,[16] with Radiohead-esque atmospheric transitions[17] and guitarwork in the vein of Denali.[18] Some of the tracks have mid-tempo arrangements[19] with the loud/quiet dynamic of Thursday and Deftones,[20] and brooding mood of the Cure.[2]

Kensrue made a conscious effort to scream less during the tracks, doing so only when he felt singing wouldn't convey the feeling as intended.[2] Breckenridge said they incorporated the use of various keyboard and synthesizer instrumentation. He added that they were "work[ing] on the dynamic between a really mellow part and a really heavy part."[6] Despite the album's heavy sound, the members no longer listened to music in that vein. They dove deeply into the final two albums from Talk Talk, and a substantial amount of Radiohead.[2] Over the previous years, the members had been expanding their musical tastes: Riley Breckenridge with electronic artists such as Squarepusher and Aphex Twin, Teranishi and bassist Eddie Breckenridge getting into jazz, and Kensrue listening to Tom Waits.[6] As all of the members contribute music, the parts are influenced by different forms of music. Riley Breckenridge said it was a "really cool challenge" trying to make these separate parts into cohesive pieces of music.[4]

Tracks

"Image of the Invisible" features Morse code, which spells out the album's title,[13] done by Kensrue.[12] Breckenridge said the song was written before they had the idea of adding Morse code. After looking into incorporating it with programming, they found out it had "a really cool syncopation with the beat" in the song.[13] The track is led by gang vocal,[21] in the style of Comeback Kid,[22] which are heard throughout it.[21] Though the track continued to the sound of Artist,[23] it was compared to a Ian MacKaye-fronted Linkin Park.[20] "Between the End and Where We Lie" sees Kensrue toy with programming, Teranishi with a Rhodes piano and Breckenridge with a synthesizer.[12] "The Earth Will Shake" starts off as an acoustic blues track,[23] complete with a Hammond organ played by Teranishi,[12] before shifting into loud guitars, with Kensrue's vocals breaking into screams.[23] The song's breakdown features an a cappella[18] chain gang chant. The group used the upstairs living area of the recording studio, by stomping on the floor and yelling, to recreate the chants.[13] The track sees the group playing with different time signatures, reminiscent to a darker iteration of Oceansize[15] and tonality of "Big Riff" by Cave In.[18] It tackles the theme of prison inmates yearning for a jailbreak; it drew influence from poetry by C.S. Lewis and the field recordings of musicologist Alan Lomax.[24]

"Atlantic" begins with the sound of a Rhodes piano, played by Kensrue and Teranishi,[12] with Kensrue crooning over a soft electronic beat,[17] which is done by Teranishi and Breckenridge (the former on a synthesizer; the latter on a bass synthesizer).[12] The chorus incorporates acoustic guitar, synthesizers and a glockenspiel.[17] The track is the only one on the release not to feature Teranishi playing any guitar.[12] "For Miles" starts with a piano part[21] played by Teranishi[12] and Kensrue singing,[23] which drew influence from Miles Davis.[18] Programming by Teranishi is heard[12] as it transitions into a post-hardcore number[17] with progressive elements.[23] A portion of "Hold Fast Hope" makes reference to the Bible story of Jonah;[21] it includes a Moog synthesizer part played by Osbourne.[12] While on tour in Japan, Teranishi bought a music box. He subsequently wrote the song "Music Box" based on musical notes made by the box, which can be heard throughout it.[13] He added a Rhodes piano, Hammond organ and synthesizer alongside it.[12]

"Like Moths to Flame" opens with a piano intro[25] played by Teranish,[12] before shifting into a heavy track in the vein of Isis.[25] It featured synthesizer parts from both Eddie and Riley Breckenridge. Teranishi also incorporated the music box in "Of Dust and Nations", which also saw him add synthesizer, alongside Eddie Breckenridge's bass synthesizer.[12] On "Stand and Feel Your Worth", Kensrue's vocal was compared to Further Seems Forever frontman Jason Gleason.[25] It saw Teranishi incorporate Rhodes organ, a synthesizer, and programming, which was also done by Riley Breckenridge.[12] Kensrue said "Red Sky" was about how people deal with issues, "but in the end things are redeemed and there's a resolution".[26] It is driven by piano,[15] which is played by Teranishi,[12] and drums during the verses, with delayed guitar parts[15] and programming by Osborne.[12]

Release

A man playing guitar
Vocalist/guitarist Dustin Kensrue performing in the UK.

Between mid-June and mid-August 2005,[27] the group headlined the Warped Tour. On August 8, Vheissu was announced for release in October.[28] "Image of the Invisible" was posted online on September 7.[29] "The Earth Will Shake" was posted on the group's website on September 15.[30] "Image of the Invisible" was released as a single on September 20,[31] and released to radio on September 27.[32] A music video was released for the track on October 14. It was directed by Jay Martin[33] and filmed in early September.[34] The video's treatment was the result of collaboration between Kensrue and My Chemical Romance frontman Gerard Way.[1] Kensrue said he wanted the video to match the song's energy and dynamic. It takes influence from The City of Lost Children (1995).[35]

In October and November, the group went on headlining US with support from Underoath, the Bled and Veda.[36] Originally planned for release on September 27,[1] Vheissu was eventually released on October 18 through Island Records.[33] The artwork was created by author Dave Eggers[13] and artist Brian McMullen.[12] Although Eggers had not done any freelance work in years by that point, he was interested. After meeting with the group and reading the album's lyrics, he was keen to help them. McMullen created the final cover after Eggers and the band had chosen a basic concept.[8] A limited edition version was also released containing a booklet detailing the creation process of each track.[1]

To promote the release, the group held a competition where fans posted remixes or covers of "Image of the Invisible". The fan that won received home recording equipment worth $4,000.[37] The group then went on tours of Japan and Australia.[35] In January and February 2006, the group toured Europe with Coheed and Cambria.[38] On February 9, "Red Sky" was made available for streaming.[39] From February to April, the band went on the 2006 edition of the Taste of Chaos tour,[40] which they co-headlined.[39] On March 16, a music video for "Red Sky" premiered through AOL.[41] On April 11, a Red Sky EP was released.[42] It features two outtakes from the sessions ("Flags of Dawn" and "The Weight of Glory") and live versions of other tracks.[43] Following this, the band went on a tour of Europe,[44] before returning to the US to play the Bamboozle Left festival.[45]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AbsolutePunk99%[21]
AllMusic[16]
The Aquarian WeeklyFavorable[46]
The A.V. ClubFavorable [17]
Blender[19]
Entertainment WeeklyB+[20]
IGN6.5/10 [23]
Melodic [47]
Punknews.org[25]
Sputnikmusic[15]

Commercial performances and legacy

The album peaked at number 15 on the Billboard 200 chart.[48] It also charted at number 17 on the Digital Albums chart.[49] Outside of the US, it charted at number 119 in the UK.[50] By late 2005, it had sold over 90,000 in the US[38] By February 2006, the album had sold over 160,000 copies in the US,[39] and over 184,000 copies since May.[44] "Image of the Invisible" charted at number 24 on the Mainstream Rock chart.[51]

Vheissu received highly positive critical reviews and is now commonly referred to as Thrice's best album due to its complexity and experimentation.[52][53] Noisey referred to it as "the sound of a post-punk band, once preferred by SoCal mall rats, attempting to thwart expectations and break free by incorporating piano melodies, atmospherics, chain gang chants, Japanese folk, and high-concept Pynchon-inspired artwork from Dave Eggers."[54]

Sputnikmusic listed it at number 28 on their list of the Top 100 Albums of the 2000s.[55] It was listed at number 20 on Paste's list of the 25 Best Punk Albums of the 2000s.[52] Kerrang! placed it at number 10 on their Top 20 Albums of 2005.[56]

Track listing

All music by Thrice. All lyrics by Dustin Kensrue.[12]

No.TitleLength
1."Image of the Invisible"4:14
2."Between the End and Where We Lie"3:56
3."The Earth Will Shake"4:29
4."Atlantic"4:02
5."For Miles"4:27
6."Hold Fast Hope"4:01
7."Music Box"4:46
8."Like Moths to Flame"4:26
9."Of Dust and Nations"4:50
10."Stand and Feel Your Worth"5:52
11."Red Sky"4:17

Personnel

Personnel per booklet.[12]

Charts

Chart (2005) Peak
position
UK Albums Chart[50] 119
US Billboard 200[48] 15

References

Citations

  1. ^ a b c d e Harris, Chris (July 14, 2005). "Thrice Going Underground — In A Sense — For Enigmatic Vheissu". MTV. Viacom. Archived from the original on July 5, 2017. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d e Wener, Ben (October 7, 2005). "Thrice: An evolution". Orange County Register. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  3. ^ "Thrice Chart History (Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  4. ^ a b Koczan, JJ (March 30, 2005). "Thrice: Interview With Riley Breckenridge". The Aquarian Weekly. Diane Casazza, Chris Farinas. p. 2. Archived from the original on February 28, 2018. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  5. ^ a b c Jiwani, Shehzaad (November 24, 2005). "Thrice Mellow With Age". Chart Attack. Channel Zero. Archived from the original on April 8, 2018. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  6. ^ a b c d e Koczan, JJ (March 30, 2005). "Thrice: Interview With Riley Breckenridge". The Aquarian Weekly. Diane Casazza, Chris Farinas. p. 1. Archived from the original on February 28, 2018. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  7. ^ a b Montgomery, James (February 9, 2005). "Thrice Look Back Before Moving Ahead With Some Weird Songs That Might Suck". MTV. Viacom. Archived from the original on April 9, 2018. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  8. ^ a b c "Thrice". Melodic. Archived from the original on April 9, 2018. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
  9. ^ Sharpe-Young 2005, p. 330
  10. ^ Roth, Kaj (March 14, 2005). "Thrice Working On New Album..." Melodic. Archived from the original on April 9, 2018. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
  11. ^ a b Jiwani, Shehzaad (December 21, 2005). "Thrice Don't Want You To Sound Like Them". Chart Attack. Channel Zero. Archived from the original on February 6, 2006. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t Vheissu (booklet). Thrice. Island Records. 2005. 0602498852453.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  13. ^ a b c d e f g Bielich, Brandon (November 2, 2005). "Thrice explores the rock underworld". Central Florida Future. Florida Today. Archived from the original on February 2, 2014. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
  14. ^ Montgomery, James (April 21, 2005). "Thrice To Play Coachella Days After Playing 'Anti-Coachella'". MTV. Viacom. Archived from the original on April 9, 2018. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  15. ^ a b c d e Fisher, Tyler (November 26, 2006). "Thrice - Vheissu (album review)". Sputnikmusic. Archived from the original on October 19, 2020. Retrieved April 8, 2018. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; October 19, 2010 suggested (help)
  16. ^ a b Loftus, Johnny. "Vheissu - Thrice | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. All Media Network, LLC. Archived from the original on February 18, 2017. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  17. ^ a b c d e Ryan, Kyle (November 9, 2005). "Thrice: Vheissu". The A.V. Club. The Onion, Inc. Archived from the original on April 8, 2018. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  18. ^ a b c d Heisel, Scott (December 22, 2005). "Thrice - Vheissu". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on February 23, 2015. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  19. ^ a b Beaujour, Tom. "Review". Blender. Alpha Media Group. Archived from the original on January 4, 2006. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  20. ^ a b c Adams, Jason (October 24, 2005). "Vheissu". Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc. Archived from the original on August 26, 2014. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  21. ^ a b c d e Tate, Jason (November 20, 2005). "Thrice - Vheissu - Album Review". AbsolutePunk. SpinMedia. Archived from the original on July 10, 2012. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  22. ^ Pelt, Doug Van (January–February 2006). "Thrice review". HM. Archived from the original on January 11, 2016. Retrieved April 27, 2020. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; January 16, 2011 suggested (help)
  23. ^ a b c d e f D., Spence (November 9, 2005). "Thrice - Vheissu". IGN. Archived from the original on November 3, 2012. Retrieved July 19, 2017.
  24. ^ Titus 2005, p. 73
  25. ^ a b c d Rogowski, Jordan (October 18, 2005). "Thrice - Vheissu". Punknews.org. Aubin Paul. Archived from the original on April 18, 2012. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  26. ^ Marino, Kelly (December 15, 2005). "Thrice Stumped By Challenge Of Making Video For 'Red Sky'". MTV. Viacom. Archived from the original on September 12, 2014. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  27. ^ Kaufman, Gil (March 3, 2005). "Warped Tour Lineup, Itinerary Officially Announced". MTV. Viacom. Archived from the original on September 19, 2016. Retrieved September 18, 2016.
  28. ^ Kremkau, Bryan (August 8, 2005). "Thrice Releases VHEISSU 10/18". ReadJunk. Junk. Archived from the original on April 8, 2018. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
  29. ^ Roth, Kaj (September 7, 2005). "New Single With Thrice Online". Melodic. Archived from the original on April 9, 2018. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
  30. ^ Winberg, Pär (September 15, 2005). "Download New Thrice-Track For Free". Melodic. Archived from the original on April 9, 2018. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
  31. ^ "Image of the Invisible - Thrice | Release Info". AllMusic. All Media Network, LLC. Archived from the original on April 9, 2018. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
  32. ^ "FMQB Airplay Archive: Modern Rock". Friday Morning Quarterback Album Report, Incorporated. Archived from the original on March 22, 2013. Retrieved October 30, 2016.
  33. ^ a b "The Invisible video". Alternative Press. Alternative Press Magazine, Inc. October 14, 2005. Archived from the original on August 16, 2016. Retrieved June 24, 2016.
  34. ^ MTV News Staff (September 7, 2005). "For The Record: Quick News On Kanye West, Kelly Clarkson, R. Kelly, Cassidy, Staind, Thrice & More". MTV. Viacom. Archived from the original on April 9, 2018. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  35. ^ a b Harris, Chris (September 20, 2005). "Thrice Bring Ninja Moves, Screaming Kids To New Clip — With Gerard Way's Help". MTV. Viacom. Archived from the original on April 9, 2018. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  36. ^ Tecson, Brandee J (October 17, 2005). "Thrice Find Homecoming Sweet, But That Doesn't Keep Them There Long". MTV. Viacom. Archived from the original on April 9, 2018. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  37. ^ MTV News Staff (October 18, 2005). "For The Record: Quick News On Fantasia, Gwen Stefani, Usher, Dead Boys, Thrice, Hot Hot Heat & More". MTV. Viacom. Archived from the original on April 9, 2018. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
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  39. ^ a b c "Thrice post audio of new single online". Alternative Press. Alternative Press Magazine, Inc. February 9, 2006. Archived from the original on August 16, 2016. Retrieved June 28, 2016.
  40. ^ "Taste Of Chaos confirms date-by-date band lineups". Alternative Press. Alternative Press Magazine, Inc. January 13, 2006. Archived from the original on August 16, 2016. Retrieved June 26, 2016.
  41. ^ Winberg, Pär (March 14, 2006). "New Thrice Video". Melodic. Archived from the original on April 9, 2018. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
  42. ^ "Red Sky - Thrice | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. All Media Network, LLC. Archived from the original on February 18, 2017. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
  43. ^ Red Sky EP (Sleeve). Thrice. Island Records. 2006. B000634302.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  44. ^ a b "Thrice frontman announces solo shows". Alternative Press. Alternative Press Magazine, Inc. May 21, 2006. Archived from the original on August 21, 2016. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
  45. ^ Montgomery, James (July 13, 2006). "Dashboard, Plus-44 Help Bring Bamboozle Fest To West Coast". MTV. Viacom. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  46. ^ Slevin, Patrick (October 19, 2005). "Thrice: Vheissu". The Aquarian Weekly. Diane Casazza, Chris Farinas. Archived from the original on April 8, 2018. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  47. ^ Roth, Kaj (October 5, 2005). "Thrice - Vheissu". Melodic. Archived from the original on April 8, 2018. Retrieved July 19, 2017.
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  49. ^ "Thrice Chart History (Digital Albums)". Billboard. Lynne Segall. Archived from the original on May 23, 2018. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
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  52. ^ a b Nizam, Adam (January 11, 2017). "The 25 Best Punk Albums of the 2000s". Paste. Wolfgang's Vault. Archived from the original on October 2, 2017. Retrieved October 2, 2017.
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  56. ^ "Rocklist.net...Kerrang! Lists Page 1..." Rocklistmusic. Archived from the original on January 16, 2017. Retrieved October 2, 2017.

Sources

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