Thursday - A City By The Light Divided

Rating

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RIYL

Brand New
The Used
Fugazi
Foo Fighters

Tracklist

1. Counting 5-4-3-2-1
2. The Other Side Of The Crash
3. Running From The Rain
4. Telegraph Avenue Kiss
5. Sugar In The Sacrament
6. At This Velocity
7. The Light
8. We Will Overcome
9. Into The Blinding Light
10. The Love Song Writer
11. Autumn Leaves Revisited

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4 ratings

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Recent Ratings

Spin was pretty persuasive when they declared Thursday “The Next Big Thing” in 2004 weren’t they, declaring them this generation’s U2? They had good cause too because Full Collapse was a success for the emo-rock and post-hardcore genres in nearly every aspect. And in 2004, Thursday didn’t disappoint with their major label debut, War All The Time. As pressure piled on, fans learned of internal turmoil and disappointment in the band, but it wasn’t enough to disband Thursday, who officially added Andrew Everding to keys. Instead, Thursday returns in 2006 with A City by the Light Divided to prove that they are indeed the next big things in rock.

In the interest of time, all you need to really know about A City by the Light Divided is that it won’t make Thursday the next big thing. While it has its moments of greatness, it doesn’t do enough to live up to Thursday’s hype that will seemingly never be fully filled. The progression from their debut, Waiting, to A City is relatively small. Their songwriting is essentially the same; their musicianship hasn’t advanced much; and their creativity is still limited, as presented through the first half of the album.

The second half of A City shows Thursday taking more risks, but as previously noted, the band progresses at a snail’s pace. A City shows a more mature Thursday abandoning much of the sing/scream concept they helped define throughout this second rush of emo-rock. In doing so, A City also displays vocalist Geoff Rickley at his best. Crunchy guitars are instead replaced with glossier, more melodic ones, working well with the addition of Everding. Thursday tones done their intense punk and hardcore influences, and instead takes cue from more mainstreamed rock bands like.

While the first five tracks of A City won’t turn too many heads, the album’s latter half accentuates a Thursday eager for change; and on “Running In the Rain,” Thursday actually embodies its U2 comparisons. Other key tracks include “Into the Blinding Light” and the album closer “Autumn Leaves Revisited.” Although the first half of the album is a bit predictable, the songs are still respectable and enjoyable for any Thursday fan.

A City by the Light Divided is a fine record, and one that I personally enjoy, but in no way does that mean this is an exceptional record. Thursday makes ignorable, if not enjoyable, music, but Rickley and company can’t seem to grasp the reins tight enough to change directions.

--Kamran Rouzpay

Author

Kamran
Last updated: 09/29/2009 08:54PM

Comments

philthy
05/04/2006
07:45PM
Age: 33
Location
Hoboken, New Jersey
I completely disagree with this review, although I, of course, respect your opinion. Personally, I think that this album is a major step forward as far as songwriting and musicianship. Also, contrary to your opinion, I believe that it is a pretty significant departure from past work and should be credited for both its adventurousness and diversity. Full Collapse is a time piece; WATT was a better, more mature record. This is their best. If anything, I think this album bodes well for Thursday's future and signifies that this band might actually last longer than most of their peers. I know I'm looking forward to hearing more in the future.
Kerwin White
05/04/2006
07:48PM
Age: 26
Location
blockbuster
Though you have some good points, for the most part I disagree with the review. I'd give this album a solid 4/5.

They tried something new with longer song structures, MUCH less screaming, and a totally different instrumental style than on previous efforts. I really hear the progressive and post-rock influence now that they hinted at with WATT and their Sigur Ros cover. Running From the Rain sounds like a cross between EITS and U2, which really surprised me.

Anyway, I'm kind of disappointed because I expected this to surpass WATT and Full Collapse, their best albums, but it didnt, at least not yet. I think this is an album that will take some time to fully appreciate.

And those RIYLS kinda blow. Can you seriously see a Foo Fighters fan listening to this album? -_-

Oh, and an FYI, the leaked demos for this album that came out last year are all in my opinion better than the finished versions. If you have this album and havent heard them yet you should look for them.
danal
05/04/2006
09:26PM
Age: 25
Location
Toronto, Ontario
I can't sit through this album without feeling inclined to turn it off and put something else on...It's good but ..just ..I don't think it's personally got staying power.

Good review, though.

"Use short sentences. Use short first paragraphs. Use vigorous English. Be positive, not negative."

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Roncag
05/04/2006
09:55PM
Age: 32
Location
Anytown USA
Kerwin White

And those RIYLS kinda blow. Can you seriously see a Foo Fighters fan listening to this album? -_-



Take your blinders off man....this is a dead on alt rock comparison...but Kam was generous, this album is completely vapid.

You play to win the game.

Jordan Smith
05/04/2006
10:18PM
Age: 25
Location
Buffalo, NY
I have to say, I am fairly apalled that you gave this record a 3/5. I'd be surprised to see a better record released this year. Every aspect of this record shows improvement on the last. The vocals, song structure, guitar work, and production all have matured and grown since the last in a big way. Amazing record.
Roncag
05/04/2006
10:25PM
Age: 32
Location
Anytown USA
Monk 0 Nuggets
I'd be surprised to see a better record released this year.


Is this the only record you've listened to this year? Cause there's been like 40.

You play to win the game.

Kerwin White
05/04/2006
10:48PM
Age: 26
Location
blockbuster
Roncag
Take your blinders off man....this is a dead on alt rock comparison...but Kam was generous, this album is completely vapid.


you're calling this vapid yet you liked the new TSOAF?

someone call the opinion police.
cyanide2600
05/05/2006
12:01AM
Location
Finland
I was sceptical about this cd but it has proved to be pretty impressive. I love it. Geoff Rickly is on fire on this record and I love the keys. Definately takes time to grow on you. Rickly's "Yeah, yeahs" on Autumn Leaves Revisited just nails it. 4/5


Dave Spak
05/05/2006
12:03AM
Location
Boston, MA
I agree with the majority of people on here. It is a great album but does take some time to get used to. Probably also a 4/5 for me.

Stereo Typing

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krater
05/05/2006
12:13AM
i give a 4/5, great album
gregplaysdrums
05/05/2006
01:06AM
Location
SCV, CA
I was very disappointed with this. It doesn't make me want to listen to it at all..
JohnnyL
05/05/2006
04:23AM
Age: 30
Location
Columbus, Ohio
I like the first half of the disc better than the second.

Recommending: Anberlin, Interpol, Chamberlain, House of Heroes

tim
05/05/2006
04:33AM
Age: 28
Location
Green Brook, NJ
maybe i need to listen to it more, but i turned this cd off after the 6th song. it all sounded like one long whine. and i love thursday.
Unsupersam
05/05/2006
12:02PM
Location
Northampton, PA
JohnnyL
I like the first half of the disc better than the second.


I liked the second half better than the first...
theDrivingSnow
05/05/2006
12:40PM
I'm surprised that no one has mentioned how shitty the production is--or at least I found it to be. I understand that they were going for a rawer sound, after the over-produced "War All the Time," but I think they went a little overboard with that idea; sometimes Geoff is barely audible beneath the bass, and the guitars are not clearly defined.
Oh, and far as the RIYLs, please never compare Thursday to The Used again. I can deal with a Foo Fighters comparison, even if it is inaccurate, but not with The Used; particularly with this album.

It's blowin' cool outside today...

Kamran
05/05/2006
03:29PM
Location
The Great North Woods
once again RIYL's are not a comparison in sound, but a comparison in fans; they are used for fans. fans of the Used are often fans of Thursday. fans of the Foo Fighters would like this album. why do people get their panties in such a bunch over RIYL's?

Darla Farmer
RIYL:
the Beatles
Tom Waits
Murder By Death
A Whisper in the Noise
the Blood Brothers

Chris Conlan
05/05/2006
04:01PM
Age: 27
Location
Dubuque
Haha I know. The one kid flipped out over the RIYL for the Champion/Betrayed review.

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Kerwin White
05/05/2006
05:04PM
Age: 26
Location
blockbuster
Kamran
once again RIYL's are not a comparison in sound, but a comparison in fans; they are used for fans. fans of the Used are often fans of Thursday. fans of the Foo Fighters would like this album. why do people get their panties in such a bunch over RIYL's?


Because there's no real point by that logic, if you use the RIYL's like that then you're basically saying "Well, Used fans that are probably going to check this out ANYWAY, I'm just ensuring you you will like it." That's kind of silly. Compare it to something that it actually sounds like, that way kids that have never heard a band won't misinterpret what it sounds like and be like "blah blah oh I hate 2 of those bands in the RIYLS so I won't check it out blah blah." Hell, I've passed up checking out some bands on here simply because of RIYLs and probably missed some good bands because of it. It's like, since you said that one song sounded like U2, put U2 in the RIYLs. It makes sense.

Just a suggestion.

PS, been listening to this album all day, and it's really growing on me.
Kamran
05/05/2006
05:14PM
Location
The Great North Woods
i didn't put U2 because i couldn't feasibly see a U2 fan enjoying this album. just because thursday uses U2 influences, doesn't mean they sound like them.

Darla Farmer
RIYL:
the Beatles
Tom Waits
Murder By Death
A Whisper in the Noise
the Blood Brothers

Dante
05/05/2006
06:59PM
Age: 22
Location
Fort Bragg, CA
who cares about RIYLS? if you know enough about the band to actually know that they dont sound anything like the bands in the RIYL why should you care? You already know what the band sounds like...
Kerwin White
05/05/2006
07:17PM
Age: 26
Location
blockbuster
I'm borderline obsessive compulsive. It just bugs me. :-/
Dante
05/05/2006
07:21PM
Age: 22
Location
Fort Bragg, CA
Actually I just read what you had to say on it and you have a good point.
philthy
05/05/2006
09:14PM
Age: 33
Location
Hoboken, New Jersey
For those of you complaining about the production values . . . have you actually listened to the album? Better yet, put earphones on. Yes, the vocals on FC and WATT were very upfront in the mix . . . and different decisions have been made in certain songs (not all) here. But only an uneducated listener could criticize the production . . .
Amazingthemike
05/05/2006
10:40PM
Location
Cleveland, OH
CD is alright, I'd probably give it a 6/10

Scene Point Blank / Escapist Records

effinkatrina
06/13/2006
04:56PM
Location
Oregon
Way to put the track listings in the wrong order.