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| ThriceIdentity Crisis2001 Sub City 
 Review by: GreenVandal See others by this writer Thrice Homepage (link) Only registered users can post comments 
 
Published on March 21st 2003 In 2002, Thrice released what was arguably one of the best CD's of the year, The Illusion of Safety (click HERE for a review). I instantly fell in love with this band after listening to that albums first 4 songs. So naturally, as any brand new fan boy would, I quickly hunted down their first release, Identity Crisis. To my dismay,I found it to be quite different. Identity Crisis was a very odd experience for me musically, and rather then just review it, I thought I would show you how my relationship with it developed. DAY 1 I pop Identity Crisis into my cars CD player, and the first track "Identity Crisis" starts out weak, but quickly kicks up the pace and becomes really good. (gotta love the verses on this song!) Then "Phoenix Ignition" comes on, and sounds like it is gonna rock, but I find I dont like its structure, and the shouted end just sounds bad. After exiting the car, and some 40 minutes later, im done listening to the CD and find that Thrice used to sound a lot less metal, and a lot more pop. I cant remember how any of the songs go. Disappointed, I listen to The Illusion of Safety instead and go to sleep. DAY 2 I cant even remember listening to this CD the day before, so I give it another go. "Phoenix Ignition" still annoys me. "In your hands" sounds like a Get-Up Kids rip off. I cant remember the middle songs at all....but "T&C" has a Dragon Ball Z reference in it. I like Dragon Ball Z, but not in my music...thats just corny. My opinion gets lower, I listen to Refused instead of this on the way to work. DAY 3 Didnt even look at this album. But I did hum "Identity Crisis" to myself. DAY 4 After getting "Identity Crisis" stuck in my head, I had to listen to this again. Popped it in the player, skipped over "Phoenix Ignition", and accidentaly discovered that "To What End?" was probably my favorite Thrice song ever. Its lyrical content stands at a sharp contrast to songs like "Betrayal is a Symptom" on The Illusion of Safety and the music is just rockin. Also "A torch to end all torches" shows me Thrice had some metal in their system during the writing of this album. I wanted to explore more, but had to go to work.... Day 5 Well, maybe this album isnt half bad like I thought. "In your hands" suddenly is a great song, and "Unquestioned answers" as well as "Under par" are both really good. Identity Crisis is a very hopeful album, which is very different from 99% of music out there today. Dustins lyrics speak of being yourself, his faith in god and the human race, and his want for a revolution to occur in the human heart. Its powerful stuff, and while the vocals and music arent as glossy as they are in The Illusion of Safety its rough edges give it a much more open and live feel. I still dont like "Phoenix Ignition" though. Day 6 "Ultra Blue" fills my heart with glee. Thats the kind of song I could listen to forever. I sing the ending chant all day. And "As the ruins fall" is really a poem by some famous poet dude! Thats just like "A living dance upon deadminds"! Continuity is nifty in my book. Now that I think about it..."Phoenix Ignition" really isnt that bad of a song. DAY 7 LIKE A PHOENIX IGNITION! LIKE A CREMATORIUM! LIKE A SWELLING VOLITION FROM THE BARREL OF A GUN! FROM THE ASHES AND THE EMBERS, LIKE A ROCKET ILL ASCEND! LIKE A CRY GONE UP FOR A FALLEN FRIEND!!! Damn I love "Phoenix Ignition". In fact, I love this whole album! From the heaviness of "A torch to end all torches" to the bright cheery "Ultra Blue", there is something for everyone on this CD! Although I cant remember what track 7 sounds like....and that Dragon Ball Z reference still kinda bothers me, I can honestly say that ths is one of my favorite CD's! IN CONCLUSION This is a great album. I still like The Illusion of Safety a bit better, but Identity Crisis is different enough from its follow-up to warrant a purchase. Its very inconsistent, and those wheened on newer Thrice material might not like this at first. But give it a chance and it will grow on you. I know it did to me. RECOMMENDED TRACKS- "Phoenix Ignition" "To What End?" "Ultra Blue"
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Yeah!! "Phoenix Ignition" is awesome!!!! they are my boys from orange county. i have to have love and support for the hometown heroes. thrice is absolutely amazing and they give a great concert. if they suck, then why are you here? no one wants to hear it. reviewer and band are both super gay. this is no doubt thrice's best cd. this was when they were actualy good this is a good cd, i think this and artist in the ambulance are the 2 good ones, illusion of safety is agood cd but not as good as this one. thrice's best album over the illusion of safety and artist in the ambulance Thrices#1 cd!!! torch to end all torches!!-NIKE thrice identity crisis is an amazing cd. it is my favorite cd ever, and i listen to it all the time. Identity Crisis is very rough but well done. This cd shows the original thrice, the thrice i loved and listened to. i loved the illusion of safety also, then with anticipation i preordered Artist in the ambulance to get the cd early with a free tshirt. I was dissappointed. they lost their heavy side, and i feel a part of thrice died. I love identity crisis, but if your used to and like artist in the ambulance, dont bother buying this cd, you will hate it. its totally different music wise/// when i listen to thrice, my ears start bleeding. Thrice is such crap it makes me shit my pants.. Neither Thrice or RX Bandits are that orginal. They are both good though. Thrice and RX bandits are both VERY original. Rx are more original and one of the most if not the most original band out there, in the punk scene. quite possible the best format for a review ive ever read, good job very O.G> sorry to break it to ya but Thrice is really far from original, sorry. I'm not even gonna bring up RX bandits.. you sound clueless Thrice is one of the most original bands out there so shut your face. and RX Bandits. Thrice owns nothing they need to quit putting out unoriginal crap and just give up. Who the fuck cares? This CD SUX but Thrice Fucking Ownz People probably "trampled" your review because it was biased bullshit seemingly written by a fourth grader. Go look up insecure you stupid ass. I really dont see how arguing makes me insecure. I think just blindly letting poeple trample me would be insecurity dont you? Speaking of which, you dont even have a name. Dear insecure reviewer, Thrice sucks, your review sucks and if those are your lyrics they suck too. Lotsa suckage. The Great Crego listens to this cd, so you know it's good. Just remember: Crego is hardcore! Actually, i was just commmenting against one person who was being a dick. Because its fun to argue on internet about trivial bullshit. And I also said he was pathetic for posting his fav CD's cuz i thought it was the same guy. This Anonymous thing is confusing...bah. And I dont give a fuck what you think about my review you self appointed dick. If i want to argue with kids in the comment section about bullshit, then I will, and I really dont see why that is such a big deal to you. I dont even see why your insulting me, as you go back and agree with my initial point. Thrice is good. And the anonymous kid is a ass. And you know what? Your a ass too. Oh, and those lyrics really arent that good....hehehe. I dont know why i picked those. Guess its cuz im a horrible writer and I had nothign better at the time. Oh well. yes, yes, back on topic, Thirce is really good, and yes, we're all looking forward to their next album. yeeaaah, so back on topic...thrice is fucking awesome. ""get your own opinion, not some shit you HEARD on the radio or TV "" Those twister lyrics are wicked stupid. either you guys are 15 or you get made fun of a lot...everytime somebody says something you get all butt hurt and shit, like check out this guy GREENVANDAL, he's committed on his own review like 10 times and it was everytime somebody gave THEIR opinion...don't be such a baby. Clever word play huh? What is the case? Is this trial? You are both dumb children. I see you have trouble picking up on clever word play. Well put Gloria. Hahaha. And those twister lyrics were mine off of my old bands site in my profile. Not my most shining piece of writing...hehehe. I should really take that site out of my profile. yes thank you for making our case for us...? Taking retards to the zoo is an awesome song.. I think it is the Dead Milkmen right? Dear Anonymous Wordsmith, Those "Twister" lyrics aren't Thrice lyrics. I don't know where you got those. Your really pathetic dude. I dont want to know your favorite CD collection. Taste is taste. Just stop being such a dick and let us like our "crappy poser music". Besides, if there werent any pathetic kids like us, you would never get to pat yourself on the back for so totally slamming our geek asses. Without us lower beings you would just be normal. ouch 311..? The Company Flow, El-P and Aesop Rock make up for it though! Company Flow - Funcrusher Plus Yeah. Thrice isnt metal at all. You all continue to put me in my place by talking about...well....nothing really relevant to anything really. OOOOOOh, touche big guy. I never said mine were the best did I? ahahaahhaahhahahaahha...to the cry-baby about 3 posts down...what i meant by get more involved was try going to a record store OTHER THAN WHEREHOUSE or BEST BUY and don't tell me that they're aren't any...try going to shows where the tickets are sold at the door instead of TICKETMASTER...ahahahah or what about purchasing record label compilations other than the latest VAGRANT SAMPLER...that's the way most people do it...holy shit i didn't realize that you were gonna start crying because you consider yourself a nerd...ahahahahahahahahahaha Thrice's lyrics are good huh? Just like these lyrics are good? Thrice is not fucking metal. At all. There is no Metal to be found on any of thier releases. You are confused! Wicked Offspring reference though and way to relay the current hot-topic inventory. You rule! Okay Mr. OldSchool im too cool for the new wave of music. I have never heard Turbonegro, and after listening to you talk, I never want to. Theres this thing called listening to more then on kind of music. As many of us have pointed out, we do it. Apparently you only listen to one kind of music, the kind you get the most punk points from. Im sorry Thrice's current punk point value is -3, but the music is good. And you keep talking about hardcore and hardcore, and blah blah blah. Thrice is METAL. Say it with me. METAL. They shred, not chug. (Although they do that do alot, but the shredding is generally more prevalent) Now I dont know what you have red, but none of the bands you listed sound like Thrice. At all. You are stereotyping, and it is very obvious. Oh, and for your information, they sell "Sick of it All" CD's at Hot Topic, they have been pretty big with us kids for a while. And I dont remember Gloria ever saying Popa Roach was her favorite band...oh....that was a joke? Oh! You were assuming in order to embaress her and create a big funny joke against her! You funny funny original prankster, they wrote that Offspring song about you didnt they? Douche bag. Great way to validate your already unfounded opinions, making retarted assumptions and jokes. You are the biggest dick ever. You dont know what your talking about. SHUT THE FUCK UP.Oh, and Thrices lyrics are great. Thats another sign you dont know anything. "you all make me laugh...like 75% of you bought this shit AFTER you heard ILLUSION OF SAFETY...ahahahahahahahahahahahahah...get involved more. if you had heard this LP first then Illusion would've been like 10 times better to you as opposed to listening to this one and saying "I STILL LIKE ILLUSION OF SAFETY BETTER"...ahahahahahahhahahaha I believe the dragonball z clip is only on the first impressions version (T&C is on both CDs). To the comment about 75% of the people like IOS better because that's the first thing they heard. I am an exception. I heard Identity Crisis way before IOS and it blows Identity Crisis out of the water (although at first, it was close, but I did like Illusion of Safety better). Anyway, I agree with the reviewer. Identiy Crisis= Good. Illusion of Safety=amazing. That guy that keeps posting about how Thrice is the kind of music that "needs to be ignored so it will go away"... why are you wasting your time commenting over and over and over again? We understand, you hate Thrice and you think they're terrible and everything you like is wonderful. That's fine, so ignore it like you said and quit wasting your time trying to convince people that you are right. I dunno, i like thrice alot and i can't wait to see them in concert, his voice is fine i think. The singer's vocals just aren't very good. Even his scream. I would prefer a good death metal growl like something from In Flames or Dark Tranquility to accompany it. you all make me laugh...like 75% of you bought this shit AFTER you heard ILLUSION OF SAFETY...ahahahahahahahahahahahahah...get involved more. if you had heard this LP first then Illusion would've been like 10 times better to you as opposed to listening to this one and saying "I STILL LIKE ILLUSION OF SAFETY BETTER"...ahahahahahahhahahaha Someone's too hardcore for paragraphs. It's great when people try to defend their points by lumping in bands with nu-metal. Thrice started before the trend and sound nothing like Thursday. You just come off sounding like an elitist prick. Go ahead and hate Thrice, maybe if they played standard hardcore and dropped any technical elements you'd respect them. I love Sick of it All, I love Harvest as well, but you give both bands a bad name by associating yourself with them. I like Thrice, I also like the aforementioned bands, Faded Grey, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Shai Hulud, and a whole wide range of things. You scenesters like to say that bands like Thrice and Avenged Sevenfold are wrong with hardcore, no, you're what's wrong with hardcore. Did somebody insult somebody's favorite band? That is sad! Wow Pink, you alternative superhero and superior spelling-B champion, I wasn't aware that I needed to defend my opinion that Thrice is unoriginal or that they sound any different that alternative radio shit. Maybe the bands confused you. I mentioned many shit-hop, and Nu-metal bands (I even forgot Thursday!) these are the same SHIT (same unoriginal sound) to me as Thrice. Got it? So I'm really not sure what I was supposed to defend. I mentioned that too many bands are bland boring and unoriginal, Thrice being one of them, then many of the non-believers ask "oh yeah well what's better?" I replied with TurboNego because they are better, however they certainly aren't in the same vein. So let's scratch that for now, Cuz a bunch of kids just now getting into hardcore couldn't possibly understand originality or talent. So instead I'll name bands that are hardcore and don't suck that way you can go to your local record store and get check it out and by that I don't mean Hot Topic (they won't have it) Be brave though there is hope for you kiddies yet. I mention Lack earlier yet no one wanted to pick on that point... I'm gonna guess that is because I doubt many "punkers" from punk news listen to them, they are certainly not old but are destroying HC for all it is worth. My favorite HC album ever (I’m putting myself out there kids) is Threadbare "Feeling Older Faster" See if your parent will up your allowance and maybe if you are good enough and mow the lawn a few times you can buy that fine peace of work. Also please look into Sick of it All. They are real Hardcore! There is not one band out there that is pretending to do the hardcore thing Thrice included (and pretending they are) that can say they haven't been influenced by this band. Lastly I will mention Harvest as a reference point even one of Gloria's role models Papa Roach has ripped off this band, or at least seemingly done so. While you can attack my grammatical errors all you want, I can rest comfortably knowing that I've gone attempted to reform the children of the Korn into listening to something other than the easy to find, easy to swallow shit that is so prevalent in today’s "scene". As for what my band accomplished nearly ten years ago, "ooh send us an MP3 so that we can tell you it sucks and that Thrice totally rules" I apologize but my band didn't have the convenience of today’s generation where digital recorders go for $300. We sold tape and vinyl, nothing else. Nothing has ever been recorded or transferred digitally that I am aware of. So make of that what you want quite honestly I don't care. Does this help clear anything up? was that a stab at turbonegro in defense of thrice? First of all Fred Durst, its "recognize" not 'reckognize'. Also, its "insightful" not "inciteful". I think your inability to spell words with more than two syllables and fondness for Turbonegro renders your opinion on music obsolete. This is what fat mtv2 losers listen too. Haha my last comment made alot more sense when I was drunk... And Death by Stereo isn't trying to be more than they really are. They're just regular guys out there having fun. They don't take themselves too seriously, and one of their main objectives is to take shots at the "Tougher than thou" scene. Hence songs like "Testosterone Makes The World Go Round". No the band I was in sucked, remember I said we sounded exactly like Thrice in other words total shit. The sound wasn't cool then and it sucks even more now. I listed bands that are out there now doing things that are far more original that this metal-emo joke. TurboNegro by no means has inciteful lyrics in fact they are ridiculous lyrics, but they at least they can reckognize this this. They aren't trying to be more than what they are. A simple fun band. Maybe this is what all of you young kids need right now.. somebody to help with your overwhelming emotions.. that's cute and tuff all at the same time. Maybe all of you fans need to read more books or something and I haven't even mention the GodRock yet. What a crutch! Honestly this band makes me sick. Defend what you want on this overated band but I will not be convinced that they are anything I need to care about or respect. Nice Try. > Death by Stereo think theyre yought, yeah ok, moron. or I can just simply tell crap from something musically challenging. These bands are all the same uninspiring crap that simply needs to be ignored so it will go away. Wow dude. You are really fuckin dumb. You must be a really bad musician if you think all those bands sound a like. Both bands are unoriginal, generic, nu-metal shit with annoying vocals and elementary lyrics. So.. Gosh! I guess that they really do sound the same. Oh wait Death by Stereo think that they are tuff... and Thrice is more godRock than Creed so that somehow gives them some ounce of difference.. right! If you think death by stereo sounds like thrice, you aren't listening very hard. I suppose both bands DO have guitars, and they DO have singers. therefore Death by stereo also sounds like Guns 'n roses, Weezer, and Simon & Garfunkel. Death by Stereo owns you all. And I guess Turbonegro are groundbreaking, right? You forgot Thursday and Grade. I like Grade but at least they did the whole HC/singy thing years ago. "To name a few Death By Stereo, Atreyu, GlassJaw" Listen to Lack.. that doesn't suck.. or listen to TurboNegro, that shit isn't all highschool, nu-metal, emo crap. Thrice sounds like a band I was in when I was still in highschool.. 10 years ago. SO yeah maybe I come at this from a jaded musician's point of view and that is why I think there are recycled riffs and generic lyrics. Pick up a book pick up a shovel.. throw intelligent words in this game of conversation. As for who else does this band sound like.. well one would merely need to look at some of the other crap being reviewed on this site right now. To name a few Death By Stereo, Atreyu, GlassJaw, even radio shit like Chevelle, Papa Roach, Alien Ant Farm and are nearly impossible to distinguish from bands like Thrice. There is a fine line between originality and Shit and I'm sorry this band hasn't convinced me that they are any "different". "I think your review sucks but hey you're "doin your part" right? Writing a review for a super political web page on the internet is really changing people lives." What the fuck are you talking about? who was the junior high kid who got on daddy's computer and posted all those seperate comments of single words? anyways... I think your review sucks but hey you're "doin your part" right? Writing a review for a super political web page on the internet is really changing people lives. wow. thats a lot of words. i defend my review, cuz, well, i like my review. stop nit picking dickweed. Hmm thats odd, didnt mean to post that twice. I hate to tell you this, but Thrice basically self released this CD and then it got re-distributed by Subcity, hardly a major label effort. Why don't you tell me who to listen to instead of Thrice? You should bite your toungue, or maybe listen to better music and/or open your ears and review something that isn't regurgitated crap that every other band that is trying to "make it" sounds like. This band sounds like 13 other bands out there right now and most of them are major label studio bands with the same generic lyrics, recylcled riffs and top notch production dollars. You have been right about one thing so far..this is all opinion. However I still find it funny your need to "defend" your review and your opinion. I dont think there are any limits its on what someone can do musically. There is never somehting you shouldnt do. As long as you execute it well anything can work. This is a well executed metal/whatever the fuck you wanna call it fusion. And to our other Thrice hating buddy, I quite obviously listen to better music then you if this is what you call bad....is what id like to say if this werent all opinions. Ill just bite my tongue and hope you learn some respect for others tastes. metal pop fusion..? that is funny shit. Does any one really think that metal and pop should be fused? There is no valid argument that makes me change my mind on what crap this band has produced. Thrice IS unoriginal cookie cutter shit. The only people I know that listen to them, don't like good music. In other words it is just a bunch of kids getting into an easy to digest "hardcore" band, something with enough edge to anger the parents but still sweet enough to shed a tear to or put on a mixed tape for a girl. Wake up kids quit buying this crap. Is Mikeshitter the infamous "twat"? what hype? i have never heard thrice on the radio (except for once on an amateur station), or seen a video, or even read about them in any magazine. Thursday has hype. The Used has hype. I know they're on a major label now, and their hype will probably get boosted because of that, but as of now, the only people I know that know of Thrice, are the people I've showed them to. they like them a lot, and so do i. Overhyped my arse. All your favourite bands would kill for a song half as good as "To What End". I've realized lately that god kinda sucks. Chew on that fuckers. Well of course Thrice are incredibly overhyped, but they are still a very good band. Thanks for regurgitating the Illusion of Safety review from Pitchfork. I hate Thrice. I just don't get all the hype. I find the vocals very average; sure it's not a bad voice, but it doesn't jump out or strike attention either. They are good musicians, even Pitchfork said so, but their compositions, although agressive, don't ever give me the feeling to jump around. I find their lyrics naive and mismatched with their style. They're trying way to hard to sound darkly poetic, which muddles the message and leaves their songs empty and meaningless. I'll give them an extra star because they have talent, but they just don't use it in a way that strikes my interest. Um...this has an edge. It is not cookie cutter at all. What other time have you heard a metal/pop fusion so seemless? Its rather unique, and came oout before this screamo trend, but unfortunatley still got labeled in it. And Id like to see you write better buddy. Thrice is SHIT!! I really don't know how the fuck this band got any fans, it is cookie cutter crap and you are all being fooled. What happend to real punk rock, or music with an edge? Damn it! "like a phoenix ignition! like a crematorium! like a swelling volition from the barrel of a gun! from the ashes and the embers, like a rocket ill ascend! like a cry gone up for a fallen friend!!!" Thank you for the kind comment poster below :) I have 2 more reviews in que at the moment, and I try to do all of them in a different style, cuz its boring seeing the same schtick over and over. I tried reviewing one of the albums by reviewing each song individually, but I just realized everyone hated that, but i kept it to pretty much one sentence a song, so it shouldnt be long or annoying. Again, thank you for support. This album is one of my favourite albums ever....ultrablue just fills you with..um..'glee'...it's a very solid first release considering that many bands today play shitty music that has no emotion in it, and this band comes up and has this great release, followed by another very strong record..I look forward to their next release... and to all those that don't like them, well too bad for you. "On the topic, the progression that Thrice has shown from First Impressions to Identity Crisis to The Illusion of Safety only makes me drool for their next record." Thrice in their original form. Illusion of Safety is more mature, progressive, and metal, but Identity Crisis has so much raw emotion that it's still my favorite. This is one great album. this is the first time ive felt compelled to write a comment for a review.... I got so mad at my friend when he played this album. I hate that fucker. i had this before IOS, and while IOS slays, i like this one better. its not as complex or insane with shredmania, but its very good nonetheless. im guessing the next record is gonna be even harder and probably with more shredmania, cause i heard the unreleased song from the hopeless vol.4 comp and ehhh cwazy. I give THIS cd 20 stars~! It f*cking rules~~~! If you dont like thrice then u can just go to hell because this is the best CD ive ever heard! I got into this cd right when the Plea For Peace comp came out and i heard "To What End" i love Thrice ever since then... I was lucky enough to be able to get it before IOS came out and not have to deal with the transition, i only heard the progression. Thrice= good. I can't wait for their new record. One of the reasons I like this so much is that im a aethiest, and I like to hear other points of views. "To What End?" is great musically, and it sort of shows why Dustin has faith, and one of his biggest fears. Peronally, this songs meaning on the complete opposite side of the spectrum from me, where I believe the answer "to what end do we proceed?" would be towards none. But it is good to hear a heartfelt track that fully embraces something with such passion. Its different from everything else that I listen to and I like that. Other points of view can make things completely fresh sometimes. And a religious song that says what the person feels rather then recycling phrases from the bible shows true faith rather then just repitition of a teaching. i like the green flag version i have 'cause you can't have it. not as good as illusion of safety, but still a pretty solid effort. pheonix ignition and to what end are still 2 of their best songs > "To What End" is basically a bunch of rhetoric about creationism. I remember when this album first came out on Green Flag and at least a quarter of the posts on their message board were from their god-loving fans when the majority of their shows were in church auditoriums around Orange County. Dustin used to post a bunch of stuff going on about God and whatever. I think they have cooled the religious tone down since then, thankfully. I really like tracks 2 and 10, but the rest is pretty uninteresting. This band has gotten blown way out of proportion. Bah. Heh, thanks for the compliment Scott. If my review can make people pull this CD out from under "Illusion of Safetys" shadow, then I accomplished something. Not to look like a scenester, but it was really cool seeing them progress from Identity Crisis to Illusion Of Safety i love both this album and IOS equally. they have their own sounds to them and it shows the progression the band has made. i'm curious to see how this new stuff is gonna sound on Island.. Ha this fanboy reminds me of, well, me. Yeah, I to was not cool enough to know of Thrice before IOS and I to didn't like IOS at first listen, except Pheonix Ignition and Ultra Blue. How could you have ever not like Pheonix Ignition? Best on the album in my humble opinion... I love this CD. It's more raw and stripped down than "The Illusion of Safety". More straight forward too. That being said, both albums rock. Oh, and Phoenix Ignition fucking rules. I get chills listening to it. Much, much better than Illusion of Safety. "To What End?" is such an amazing, amazing song. I could just listen to that song over and over for a long time and never get sick of it. this album is crap, not even worth listening to. looks like they didnt hit their stride until a year later. check that one out, and use this as a coaster. |
