Review:Thrice: The Artist in the AmbulanceIsland Records Melody and aggression have wedded in the newest album release from the band Thrice entitled “The Artist in the Ambulance.” Thrice has created their latest masterpiece seeking to break through the boundaries and confinements of limited music, hoping to tear down the walls of stagnation. Not only have they made music that gives way to catharsis, they have managed to pay even close attention to their musicianship without losing the raw aggression that they want to capture. In short, this album punches you in the face and then sings you a lullaby while you’re lying on the ground before you pass out. Originating in California, the band is heavily influenced by both hardcore and punk rock music. However, they wanted to create something more than what could be categorized, so each one of the members put their creative input in the music to create a unique work of art. After getting settled they decided to create their first EP in 1998 and an another entitled First Impressions. This album would gain them a great deal attention from the music scene, and they began gathering a good crowd of fans. When everything began falling into place, they started work on their first album entitled Identity Crisis in 1999, and released the album in 2001.There are so many elements in the music that I don’t know where to begin. For one, the lead singer and guitarist Dustin Kensrue incorporates both very well sung melodic vocals along with hardcore-style screaming vocals. The lyrics cover so many things and are very abstract but are tangible in the sense that the listener can relate to the overall message. Both he and guitarist Keppei Teranishi have a playing style that is based off of melodic notes and great harmonic chords. The playing is tight; all of the members mesh very well giving their sound a professional sound. The drumming of Riley Breckenridge fits so well; everything from mellow drives to hardcore drumming and even some double bass surprises. The drumming is not chaotic, but it is technical when it needs to be, giving their music the extra drive and precision in well chosen areas to make the music sound whole. Eddie Breckenridge (yes, he is the brother of Riley Breckenridge) does the same with the bass by going between simple accompanying melodies to wild walking-bass patterns. The recording work of Salad Day Studios in Beltsville, MD allows for a crystal clear recording while still adding just a touch of rawness to the feel of the music.It’s hard to pick out any favorite tracks, but if I had to it would have to be songs like Stare at the Sun, Cold Cash and Colder Hearts, The Artist in the Ambulance, and Paper Tigers. Some of their best musicianship is on the mellow but complex arrangements of Stare at the Sun; E. Breckenridge’s bass lines are top notch on this song, and so are Kensrue’s vocals. It’s best to hear from yourself, because it’s hard to describe how these songs (let alone the album) rock. Well, all I can say is that this album is great; if you’re a fan of great music and creative output, “The Artist in the Ambulance” is right up your alley for people who have even the most discerning tastes of what makes music great.