The Alchemy Index Vols.1&2: Fire & Water＜Colored Vinyl＞

Island Recordsを離れるきっかけとなった4枚組コンセプト・アルバム『The Alchemy Index』の最初の2枚、「Fire」と「Water」の2枚組カラー・ヴァイナル・リイシュー。テーマ毎に異なるジャンルに焦点を当てたユニークな構成。アナログ・リリースは初!
■仕様:45回転2枚組LP、盤は「Fire」はトランスルーセント・オレンジ・クラッシュ・ヴァイナル、「Water」はトランスルーセント・シー・ブルー・ヴァイナル(両盤半透明)

Thrice enters conceptual territory with The Alchemy Index, a four-part homage to the classical elements of fire, water, earth, and air. Turning to prog rock is a tricky move for any band to make, particularly one on the Vagrant roster, and Thrice tackles the project's fire and water themes -- both of which are given their own EP and packaged together to comprise Alchemy's first double-disc set -- with a cumbersome approach. The problem isn't necessarily the music, since the "Fire" disc is very similar to Thrice's previous work. Rather, the group simply handles these discs too literally. "Fire" is predictably incendiary, with giant riffs and gruff, throaty vocals laying the foundation for such self-evident song titles as "Firebreather," "The Arsonist," and "Backdraft." The "Water" disc follows a similarly strict pattern, as ambient electronics and seafaring metaphors mix together for "Night Diving," "Digital Sea," and four other slow jams. These watery songs are actually quite good; their vaguely Coldplay-esque sound is a far cry from Thrice's hardcore past, but it's still refreshing to see the band stretch its boundaries with neo-Beach Boys harmonies, programmed percussion, and Dustin Kensrue's best Chris Martin impression. What The Alchemy Index lacks, then, is integration. There's no crossover between the two elements/styles, and the whole effort seems stilted as a result. Examining classical elements is a novel concept, but spreading that concept throughout four EPs, two double-disc sets, and two record releases does little more than dilute an otherwise strong set of songs. ~ Andrew Leahey

ヴェイグラントにレーベルを移籍して放ったスライスの新作は、EP盤4連続リリースのうちの前半戦をまとめたもの。スクリーモ・ブームの立役者ながらも本作では完全脱皮を図り、チャートを賑わす一線級のオルタナ～ヘヴィー・ロックとタメ張る傑作に仕上がった。〈火〉をテーマにした激しい前半と、〈水〉がテーマのメロウな後半の2枚組というアイデアもユニークながら、進化&深化のスピードに完全脱帽だ!　　　　　　　　　
bounce (C)塀戸門家