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Se il Nobel per la band più ruffiana e pacchiana in ambito emo e affini verrebbe assegnato pressoché ex-aequo a Aiden e The Used, risulta invece molto difficile eleggere un chapter come capostipite del genere, soprattutto tenendo presente le molteplici diramazioni secondarie, che hanno portato ulteriore confusione.
Certo è che, se da intere riviste specializzate, del settore e non, si leggono lodi e attestati non indifferenti, anche in diversi spazi temporali, il dubbio e la curiosità di verificare di persona i fatti viene. E posso confermare che le molteplici rewiews positive sul combo di Irvine sono decisamente condivisibili. Non so, in una possibile graduatoria nel suo tag, che posto occuperebbe la band, ma comunque i Tre Volte (questa la traduzione del monicker) sanno fare il loro lavoro e pure in maniera decisamente originale come pochi.
Un perfetto mix di emo, punk, hardcore e metal: ecco cosa c'è dentro "The Artist In The Ambulance". Questo è uno di quei pochi dischi, per cui l'appellativo emocore/hardcore risulta perfettamente calzante e non fuorviante come per la maggior parte delle band a cui viene "regalato". Questo è anche il primo disco sotto la major Universal per i Californiani e succede a "The Illusion Of Safety" dell'anno precedente. Tuttavia, successivamente, dopo un altro disco-svolta in tutti i sensi, ovvero "Vheissu", la band tornerà a incidere per una label underground.
Aggiungiamoci pure che il contenuto del disco e il modo di concepire la musica da parte di Kensrue e soci potrebbe dare notevoli spunti e far nascere svariate discussioni, tematiche e molte riflessioni sul perché adesso la Epitath produca i From First To Last e gli I Am Ghost, sul perché i Good Riddance (act storico del punk hc '90 californiano) si siano sciolti e sulle dichiarazioni post-scioglimento del loro leader, sul perché molti gruppi melodic hc storici nati nei primi anni '90 sono in crisi e via andando e i topic potrebbero continuare, ma mi fermo qui per parlare di musica, visto che in fondo è una recensione e non un forum.
Potenza, energia coniugate a velocità e melodia, ecco la summa dei pezzi dell'opus. Si va da splendide melodie come quella dell'omonima "The Artist In The Ambulance" con un riffing gustoso a pezzi letteralmente lacera-corde e violenza allo stato puro "Paper Tigers" (questa praticamente tutta in screaming dall'inizio alla fine) dal mood decadente e drammatico, in cui emerge l'anima più oscura e pesante del combo e le notevoli influenze metal del combo e "Abolition Of Man". In questi due pezzi il guitarwork di Teranishi, fa capire che il ragazzo è un grande estimatore di gruppi come Metallica e Pantera e cresciuto con essi.
Dal mood del singolo "All that's left" si intuiscono subito due cose: che i ragazzi sono californiani e che devono essere cresciuti, come loro stessi dichiarano a pane e NOFX, essendo questo un puro pezzo di hc new school.
Aggiungiamoci forse che l'altro singolo "Stare At The Sun" con le sue splendide atmosfere rarefatte e calme e uno stupendo giro di basso ipnotico che la costellano è l'unica a rientrare dei canoni di ballad nel disco, e forse quella meno adatta a rispecchiare i decibel e illustrare bene i contenuti del platter. In quanto gli altri pezzi si configurano su livelli di potenza maggiori.
L'opener "A Cold Cash And Colder Hearts" è un bel componimento che fonde bene parti potenti e veloci ad un bridge più lento da poesia con stacchi di violino da pelle d'oca e un finale più urlato, e la magnifica luna assassina carica di significati di "Under A Killing Moon", "Blood Clots And Black Holes" e "Hoods On Peregrine" continuano su questa strada con batteria a mille all'ora, riff granitici e vocalizzi melodici alternati a urla a tratti anche continuative. C'è spazio anche per un' ultima cavalcata con le sue ampie distese strumentali ovvero "Don't Tell And We Won't Ask".
Diciamo che qualche singolo pezzo forse non è all'altezza del cd, ma questo non mina più di tanto la grande qualità di questo gioiellino, che si mantiene su livelli alti. Insomma non tutti i 12 pezzi sono sullo stesso livello, come logico, ma dimenticatevi la puzza di plastica e i rifiuti solidi dei The Used: i nostri fanno la raccolta differenziata come pochi.
Di solito nelle mie recensioni amo analizzare diversi aspetti che vanno oltre al semplice giudizio e gusto soggettivo, del tipo questa è bella, questa è noiosa e questa è troppo prolissa, per vedere oltre e dare altri spunti. In questo caso, diciamo tranquillamente che alla voce analisi dei componenti della band, ci sarebbe da riempire molte righe.
Del resto avere tra le proprie file Dustin Kensrue, in questo cd in gran spolvero, secondo molti uno dei migliori cantanti in circolazione, avere quel tale chitarrista nipponico molto tecnico certo Teppei Teranishi, aver un buon bassista che tesse delle trame di basso semplicemente sublimi tra le più belle che mi sia capitato di sentire e un batterista che dà una notevole accelerata e impatto alla sezione ritmica, qualcosa vorrà pur dire. I Thrice in quanto a tecnica ne hanno da vendere, riuscendo forse a fare impallidire più di un gruppo metal.
Vogliamo fare i fighetti e gli stronzi, forse pure io, ma non se sono sicuro, a mettere questo sostantivo emocore (e sia chiaro che questo è uno dei pochi gruppi con cui non si andrebbe assolutamente in errore) e appiccicarlo come un francobollo che più non si stacca addosso a certi act. Ma se diciamo che questo è semplicemente l'hardcore del 2000 e un' ulteriore evoluzione rispetto a quello di stampo ottantiano e dei 90's, alla faccia di chi lo vede in costante declino? No, non sbagliamo affatto.
Un approccio alla materia diverso da quello dei NOFX o Lagwagon, più vario, più ricercato, più tecnico, forse più interessante, che mischia i riff classici del genere punk poggiandoci sopra screaming importanti, da contorno ai clean vocals, una spruzzata di melodia emo e finendo con riferimenti nella ritmica e nel guitarwork riconducibili a generi vari come heavy-metal, nu e metalcore e con quella batteria a cento all'ora come denominatore comune e incontrastabile.
Il disco tuttavia non è di quelli che si assimilano al primo ascolto, ma dopo qualche ascolto attento, non si potrà non apprezzare questo capolavoro. La difficoltà è data da un songwriting quanto mai dinamico e sublime, con strutture dei brani varie che ne accrescono a dismisura il valore.
Concludiamo con qualche curiosità. Il nome del disco deriva dalla funzione sociale di supporto che dovrebbe avere l'artista e il musicista nei confronti della società. Parte dei proventi monetari della vendita di questo e degli altri dischi dei Thrice come da sempre vanno in beneficenza a diverse associazioni che si occupano di malati e cure.
Per tutti quelli che sono rimasti delusi dall'ultimo dei Lagwagon, per tutti quelli che volevano prendersi a bottigliate nei genitali alla svolta pop/rock dei Millencolin (e mi ci metto pure io), per chi vuole sentire semplicemente buona musica e possiede una mentalità aperta, che non si fa condizionare dalle etichette: "The Artist In The Ambulance" è per tutti voi. Si merita una chance.
Assolutamente da scoprire.
Elenco tracce testi e video
01 Cold Cash and Colder Hearts (02:53)
they are sick, they are poor
and they die by the thousands and we look away
they are wolves at the door
and they're not going to move us or get in our way
cause we don't have the time
here at the top of the world
feeling alright
here at the top of the world
we hold our own
by keeping our hearts cold
different god, darker skin
they are just not a burden that we'd like to bear
they are living in sin
there are so many reasons for us not to care
but i'm feeling alright
here at the top of the world
doing just fine
here at the top of the world
we've learned money matters most
so we keep our cards held close
here at the top of the world
we hold our own
by keeping our hearts cold
and we've learned what matters most
so we keep our hearts cold
they are no one
they are no where
they are not our problem
not worth saving
nonexistent if we keep our hearts cold
they are no one
they are no where
02 Under a Killing Moon (02:41)
The air my lungs first loved,
carves craters from my eyes.
They said "Breathe deeply son,
or be the next to die
Beneath the falling night,
and heaven's shutting gate.
Pray keep your tongue held tight,
or suffer the same fate.
The blood on our black gloves,
it is none of your concern.
you want to call our bluff,
get in line and wait your turn,
and watch the witches burn
Don't flinch when innocents,
are dancing with the flames.
If they wanted to live,
they'd learn to play the game.
You can still walk away,
if you just hold your tongue.
If you'd just walk away,
you'd live to see the sun but...
Under this killing moon,
under this burning sky.
The fire's shining groom,
I hold my breath and close my eyes.
The blood on our black gloves,
it is none of your concern.
you want to call our bluff,
get in line and wait your turn,
and watch the witches burn.
We'll watch the witches burn.
03 All That's Left (03:19)
one day the dreamers died within us
when all our answers never came
we hid the truth beneath our skin but
our shadows never looked the same
a ghost is all that's left
of everything we swore we never would forget
we tired to bleed the sickness
but we drained our hearts instead
we are the dead
and when we couldn't stop the bleeding
we held our hearts over the flame
we couldn't help but call it treason
after that we couldn't fill our frames
after that our shadows never looked the same
a ghost is all that's left
of everything we swore we never would forget
we tried to bleed the sickness
but we drained our hearts instead
we are the dead
in summers past we'd challenge fate
with higher pitch and perfect aim
and standing fast, we'd radiate
a light we loved but never named
but the answers never came
and our shadows never looked the same
a ghost is all that's left
of everything we swore we never would forget
we tried to bleed the sickness
but we drained our hearts instead
we are the dead
a ghost of everything we though but never said
we tried to bleed the sickness
but we drained our hearts instead
we are the ones who lost our faith
we dug ourselves an early grave
we are the dead, can we be saved?
04 Silhouette (03:08)
Your eyes, followed me here.
Your eyes, seamless and sure.
They leave me broken and, in need of a cure.
Your eyes, followed me here.
Your eyes, sifting my soul.
They leave me broken hands, those diamonds from the coal.
They lace me along,
Giving synapse of white lines.
Then chasing the dawn,
Story book syntax.
Your eyes slit the throat, of all I know.
About myself and this life.
Silhouette lies.
And your eyes, speaking in tongues.
Vigilant still, filling my lungs.
Testing my will.
They leave me broken and, bruised and bleeding.
Your eyes, resting in flame,
Leave me breathless again.
Like hydrogen spread on fault lines.
Or dead, kissing me with exposure to radon.
Your eyes slit the throat, of all I know.
About myself and this life.
Silhouette lies.
Your eyes, Your eyes.
Speaking in tongues.
Vigilant still, lead our way.
Filling my lungs.
Testing my will.
You slit the throat, of I know.
About myself and this life.
Silhouette Lies.
You slit my throat.
Because I know,
That this life, is a lie.
So slit my throat.
05 Stare at the Sun (03:23)
I sit here clutching useless lists
Keys for doors that don't exist
I crack my teeth on pearls
Tear into the history
Show me what it means to me in this world
Yeah in this world
'Cause I am due for a miracle
I'm waiting for a sign
Stare straight into the sun
And I won't close my eyes
Till I understand or go blind
I see the parts but not the whole
Study saints and scholars both
But no perfect plan unfurls
Do I trust my heart or just my mind
Why is truth so hard to find in this world
Yeah in this world
'Cause I am due for a miracle
I'm waiting for a sign
Stare straight into the sun
And I won't close my eyes
Untill i understand or go blind
I know that there's a point I missed
A shrine or stone I haven't kissed
A scar that never graced my wrist
A mirror that hasn't met my fist
But I can't help feeling like
I'm due for a miracle
I'm waiting for a sign
Stare straight into the sun
And I wont close my eyes
Due for a miracle
I'm waiting for a sign
Stare straight into the sun
And I wont close my eyes
06 Paper Tigers (04:00)
They preach to the choir,
always in the permanent daylight.
They toss paper tigers from their
perfect porcelain skylines.
Listen for the sound (for the sound, for the sound)
as it all comes crashing down. (crashing down, comes crashing down)
Listen for the sound (for the sound, for the sound)
as it all comes crashing down. (crashing down, comes crashing)
They preach to the choir,
always in the permanent daylight.
They toss paper tigers from their
shatterproof spires.
Light the world on fire
just to watch it burn.
It'll be their funeral pyre,
but they never seem to learn.
Light the world on fire
Just to watch it burn.
It'll be their funeral pyre,
but they never seem to learn.
Listen for the sound (for the sound, for the sound)
as it all comes (crashing down, comes crashing down)
Listen for the sound (for the sound, for the sound)
as it all comes (crashing down, comes crashing down)
We paid the price,
We paid for their crimes with our blood.
with our blood.
with our blood.
with our blood.
and our lives.
paid with our blood.
with our blood.
and our lives.
with our blood.
and our lives.
with our blood.
and our lives.
with our blood.
and our lives.
paid with our blood.
07 Hoods on Peregrine (03:31)
the blue light spills like oceans
we smile let it in
cures us of our questions
like hoods on peregrine
knowledge locked in a tower
barons will hold the key
but if knowledge is power
know this is tyranny
all were asking for
is what's ours
you think they're selling you truth
truth is they're selling you out
the black ink fuels our notions
that all the facts are in
it cures us of our questions
like hoods on peregrine
knowledge locked in a tower
barons will hold the key
but if knowledge is power
know this is tyranny
all we're asking for
all we're asking for
is what's ours
you think they're selling you truth
but they're just selling you
and if we keep buying in
the line between lies and truth
will wear paper thin
paper thin
you think they're selling you truth
truth is they're selling you out
08 The Melting Point of Wax (03:29)
I've waited for this moment
all my life and more
and now I see so clearly
what I could not see before
the time is now or never
and this chance won't come again
throw caution and myself into the wind
there's no promise of safety
with these secondhand wings
but I'm willing to find out
what impossible means
a leap of faith
parody of an angel
miles above the sea
I hear the voice of reason
screaming after me
you've flown far too high boy
now you're too close to the sun
soon your makeshift wings will come undone
but how will I know
limits from lies
if I never try
there's no promise of safety
with these secondhand wings
but I'm willing to find out
what impossible means
I climb through the heavens
on feathers and dreams
cause the melting point of wax
means nothing to me
nothing to me
nothing to me
I will touch the sun
or I will die trying
die trying
fly on these secondhand wings
I'm willing to find out
what impossible means
I climb though the heavens
on feathers and dreams
cause the melting point of wax
means nothing to me
nothing to me
it means nothing to me
miles above the sea
09 Blood Clots and Black Holes (02:50)
here's your new drug
shoot it in the left eye
feel it on the right side
no it's not love
though it sets up shop
behind your ribcage
building blood clots and black holes
like using an axe to pull
a sliver from your skin
and they say this is medicine
an overdose of oxygen
a severed head
as sedative
to be at peace would be a sin
and surely un-american
I'm breaking
here's your new blood
transfusion took us all night
tell us that your all right
no it's not love
though it feels that fire inside your vein
burning black beneath your wrist
begging for a razors kiss
to free it from your skin
and they say this is medicine
an overdose of oxygen
a severd head
as sedative
to be at peace would be a sin
its surely un-american
I'm breaking down
lift the veil
let the medicine in
and my heart fails
time and time again
10 The Artist in the Ambulance (03:39)
Late night, brakes lock, hear the tires squeal
Red light, can't stop so I spin the wheel
My world goes black before I feel an angel lift me up
And I open bloodshot eyes into fluorescent white
They flip the siren, hit the lights, close the doors and I am gone
Now I lay here owing my life to a stranger
And I realize that empty words are not enough
I'm left here with the question of just
What have I to show except the promises I never kept?
I lie here shaking on this bed, under the weight of my regrets
I hope that I will never let you down
I know that this can be more than just flashing lights and sound
Look around and you'll see that at times it feels like no one really cares
It gets me down but I'm still gonna try to do what's right, I know that there's
A difference between sleight of hand, and giving everything you have
There's a line drawn in the sand, I'm working up the will to cross it
I hope that I will never let you down
I know that this can be more than just flashing lights and sound
Rhetoric can't raise the dead
I'm sick of always talking when there's no change
Rhetoric can't raise the dead
I'm sick of empty words, let's lead and not follow
Late night, brakes lock, hear the tires squeal
Red light, can't stop so i spin the wheel
My world goes black before I feel an angel steal me from the
Greedy jaws of death and chance, and pull me in with steady hands
They've given me a second chance, the artist in the ambulance
I hope that I will never let you down
I know that this can be more than just flashing lights and sound
Can we pick you off the ground, more than flashing lights and sound
11 The Abolition of Man (02:45)
Wake up everyone
It's not too late
To save the remnants of
Our hearts stop giving up
Our last shattered love
Our only chance to find the meaning of
The beat beneath the blood
We laugh at honor and are shocked when
We find knives in our backs
We follow those who cheat and steal
Look in my eyes
You won't your way back
Our only cup is smashed under our own heels
Reason abandoned
To appitites and addicts arms
Shotguns in silence
Have always been the best arms
Wake up everyone
It's not too late
To save the remnants of
Out hearts
Stop giving up
Our last shot at love
Our only chance to find the meaning of
The beat beneath the blood
We laugh at honor and are shocked when
We find knives in our backs
We follow those who cheat and steal
Look in my eyes
You won't your way back
Our only cup is smashed under our own heels
The abolition of man is within the
The reach of science
but are we so far gone
that we'll try it?
12 Don't Tell and We Won't Ask (03:58)
paint the target
we don't need no evidence
flood the market
we do it all in self defense
you're a smart kid
never work without your gloves
if you're a smart kid
you'll stay the hell away from love
and if it comes to murder
don't tell and we won't ask you how
you sleep at night when the lights go out
and you're all alone
with all the ghosts of lesser humans
whose lives you've spilt to suit your own
sit and think of
all the dollars and the cents
and your blue blood
you'll see it all makes perfect sense
drink from this cup
a better life awaits us all
you're one of us
remember Conscience comes before the fall
your actions all are justified
your actions all are justified
and if it comes to murder
don't tell and we won't ask you how
you sleep at night when the lights go out
and you're all alone
with all the ghosts of lesser humans
whose lives you've spilt to suit your own
but don't we all know that this same red
don't we all know we bleed the same red blood?
13 Eclipse (03:22)
call everyone to arms
we'll fill the heavens
with the poisoned dreams of man
call everyone to arms
we forged these weapons
with the strength of our own hands
we shot the sun from the sky
apollo dead at our feet
we wander lost in the rye
we gather round in the street
for centuries we watched the sky
and burned to bridge the great divide
call everyone to arms
we'll fill the heavens
with the poisoned dreams of man
call everyone to arms
we forged these weapons
with the strength of our own hands
eclipse the body with stones
and lay him down with the rest
i smile when i am alone
and shed a tear for the press
for centuries we watched the sky
but now we burn with power and pride
cause we dug the body up
we drank his golden blood
and light shone from our eyes
but it was not enough
and we still dream of deicide
for centuries we watched the sky
we burned to bridge the great divide
but now we burn with power and pride
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Altre recensioni
Di gatsu
Ascoltare i Thrice significa perdersi in un mondo crudele ma pieno comunque di una incommensurabile bellezza.
The Artist In The Ambulance è capace di risvegliare chiunque dall’apatia, che fa bruciare nel proprio fuoco fino a diventare cenere e poi risorgere di nuova forza.
