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ThursdayThursday: A City by the Light DividedA City by the Light Divided (2006)Island Records Reviewer Rating: 4.5 User Rating: Contributed by: colincolin (others by this writer | submit your own) I always figured this would be Thursday's 'make or break' album. Though they put forward a strong attempt with War All the Time, it wasn't able to match the all-around intensity and drive that made them so incredibly popular with Full Collapse. I thought if they weren't able to do it with this relea.  
I always figured this would be Thursday's 'make or break' album. Though they put forward a strong attempt with War All the Time, it wasn't able to match the all-around intensity and drive that made them so incredibly popular with Full Collapse. I thought if they weren't able to do it with this release, they never would, and would soon fade off into a list of bands that had a strong foundation but never grew into their own voice. Fortunately for Thursday, A City by the Light Divided buries any idea that this band can't reinvent themselves. This seems to be the record the band tried to make with War All the Time, but wasn't ready to.
There must be somewhere that cigarettes burn through the night and leaves don't abandon their trees to the light, the sky is always clear and the summer never ends. Won't you take me there?All praise aside, I don't think this is a perfect record. While Rickly's vocals are better, they're not at an expert level, and in some songs I can hear the familiar strain of passion and tension in his voice, whereas at times on the record it sounds methodical and practiced. "We Will Overcome" seems almost forced, almost too reserved. As gorgeous as "Autumn Leaves Revisited" is, I enjoyed the aggressive quality from the demo that was leaked on to the internet months ago. Obviously you cannot fault a band over their recording choices and leaked material, that's just a bit of personal opinion in there. Many times when a band releases a record that is radically new and different from their traditional sound, it divides fans and risks losing the foundation that built the band to begin with (with labelmates Thrice being a good example). With A City by the Light Divided, I would say the band has released an album that not only will prove themselves to their oldest fans, but also invite those that wrote them off as a half-talented emo band to think again. I started listening to Thursday when I was 17; now, at 23, the band is able to remind me why I initially loved them, as well as showing they're growing musically, as well. This is a great release for Thursday, and I'd say that they no longer have to worry about besting Full Collapse. Unfortunately, for a band that set the bar so high on themselves once and have now done it again, they've got a big challenge in making an album better than this. Until then, I'd expect this to be making rounds on quite a few "Best Of" lists come the end of the year.           Please login or register to post comments.What are the benefits of having a Punknews.org account?
I think the songs are genuinely good... I just think the recording quality is bullshit. Thursday kicks fuckin' ass, don't get me wrong... they are still awesome. But I think they should have stood with the recording quality they had with WATT... or even Full Collapse for that matter... I still don't like this album. A few songs are listenable, but Rickly's voice is starting to hurt my ears and while his voice is distinct, it distinctly does not fit most of the tracks for me. Bleeeuuuuggggggggggggggghhhhh maybe i just didn't "get" it. but i simply didn't enjoy acbtld nearly as much as full collapse or war all the time. perhaps it was the overabundance of atmospheric interludes, or perhaps it simply wasn't as good as their past two albums. top 10 fav of last year definately grew on me... its not an easy listen I really like this record but Thursday sold out in a big way. I mean, running from the rain is in a car commercial for chissake. Wow. This band has been my favorite band since '02. But....I'm having trouble getting into it like I did with the other three albums. It's not easy to make it through the whole thing with out wanting to put somethin else in my cd player. "honestly, one of the things that i liked so much about thursday back in the day was the fact that geoff couldnt sing. now that he can, its just boring. it doesnt have that same sense of urgency." Really good album. "Sugar in the Sacrament" is one of the best songs I've heard in a while. "That being said, can thursday stop using 5-4-3-2-1, countdown, or new years eve metaphors? And fucking car crashes. "That being said, can thursday stop using 5-4-3-2-1, countdown, or new years eve metaphors? And fucking car crashes. Best thing they've ever done. i bought this yesterday and i am digging it so far. just like Menos El Oso, this cd takes awhile to grow on you. This is the equivalent of "Vheissu" for Thursday except some how Thursday succeeded in their "new" direction because it seems as if they kept alot of the energy and passion from the "full collapse" days intact despite the fact that there is a consistent emphasis on mood and atmosphere that hangs over the entire cd. uhhhh i'd say telegraph avenue kiss is the "blatant u2 influence" track Posted by aahhhh on 2006-05-04 13:12:18 I'd just like to comment that the guy below who said this doesn't sound like U2 is a moron. You've got to pick up the influence, at least on Running From The Rain. Sure, it's not as blatant of a U2 wannabe as the Angels and Airwaves album, but it's obviously there. The 7 inch is "Counting..." with a B-side "Even the sand is made of seashells" and that was no secret. Anybody with google could've found that out. "devils takin it all" is it a joke to list the name of your vocal couch on the booklet? really good album. cover art is shitty, but inside is actually really nice. background music. nothing sticks out. very boring. takes a couple songs to get going but then i think it's brilliant. Beautiful album? That's the only way to describe the album...they're fast song aren't very impressive, and are lacking in excitement. It's a VERY instrumental album...and it's a great album to listen to by yourself. Your Shit and you're only bored coz u have stopped batting off to avril lavigne for the first time in 2 years you ignorant bell-end. This album is good, and kudos to thursday for a constant stream of albums. They might not win a huge amount of fans with this one. But at least they are keeping them happy!. you'll spend...all of your money in there! shit artwork! shit sticker on the inside of tray! shit lyrics! shit thank yous inside! is it a joke to list the name of your vocal couch on the booklet? im bored with this and im not going to give it another try! fuck this band! "Thursday needs to go acoustic. Or atleast make a whole acoustic cd." "a city that is divided by light would make more sense but then again it doesnt sound out of the ordinary and strange" i got this cd about a week ago and after listening to it for about a week im not as disappointed as all these people seem to be...i was a big fan of war all the time...this cd is still def worth listening to even though the vocals seem a little weak at times but still a great cd i just got it and its not as bad as everyone makes it out to be. its boring at parts but theres still a few songs worth listening to. although Geoff's voice does get annoying after u listen to it for 20 min. So i got a city by the light divided today and was disappointed. Am I the only one that thought War all the time was a good cd? To me they stuck out more from most bands out there because of the lyrics in that album and Geoff's distinct voice. Now its filled with simple lyrics and Geoffs voice buried behind. jersey wins the cup. Good release...if not progressive in any respect. a city that is divided by light would make more sense but then again it doesnt sound out of the ordinary and strange This band has alot of talent. Full collaspe was wow and war all the time was ok. What thursday need to realize is that they shouldnt be taking themselves serious expecially political cuz lil emo kids like you guys are just buying their record not actual intelligent people. I'll prob just dl some songs counting 54321 is a good pop song. Thursday needs to go acoustic. Or atleast make a whole acoustic cd. The acoustic version of "A Hole In The World" is the best thing the bands ever released. They were always decent, but that song in acoustic form just totally blows me away. Geoff's voice is so amazing acoustic. It just works better. Not to mention, "This Song Brought To You By A Falling Bomb" is also amazing....not acoustic, but piano...and almost as great. Seriously, an album of all acoustic, piano songs would be freagin great. Atleast a full acoustic/piano album of their best songs. God that would be amazing. FCUIK YOUR GRAMMAR. IF PEOPLE DON'''''''''''''T KNOW THEIIIIIIIIIIIIR GRAMMAR....FUCK THEM Not bad, I may need a few more listens. The good thing is that I got this at my local indie store for only 10 bucks, which is a steal considering CDs are usually 15 bucks there. they're = they are, as in they're coming here in a few months. I bought this from iTunes last night. The production on the iTunes version sounds like shit. It's all "fuzzy" and trebled out. What's up with that?! I am fucking SHOCKED SHOCKED SHOCKED that any of you ass mongers are taking this band seriously. Shame on you! Seriously, SHAME ON YOU! Sens are going down. Carolina is going down. Jersey will beat Buffalo. The West is anyones guess at this point. i loved full collapse back in high school. honestly, one of the things that i liked so much about thursday back in the day was the fact that geoff couldnt sing. now that he can, its just boring. it doesnt have that same sense of urgency. Geoff is the worst singer ever. The review says that Thursday no longer have to worry about "Besting Full Collapse," but it also says "Divided doesn't feel as lyrically dominant as Full Collapse." The review says that Thursday no longer have to worry about "Besting Full Collapse," but it also says "Divided doesn't feel as lyrically dominant as Full Collapse." was anyone else disappointed with the production? Especially with the vocals? they have a singer with such a distinct voice as his and they buried it behind the rest of the music. i can barelly hear what he's saying. This is just first impressions as I've only listened to it in my car so far. This has potential to be a great live album to the fool below me: you have to be kidding, in no way, shape or form does this sound like U2, taking back sunday don't compare, and tom delonge is going to fall on his face without mark hoppus, i hope "the adventure" isn't the best he has to offer i cant belive this douche bag gets to review records. the new taking back sunday is way better this peice of shit u2 rip off record. fuck i would even say angels and airways is better at this sort of crap and that is saying a lot. I think it's hilarious that people on this site always rate how the reviewer rates an album. Are you that pathetic and bored? Or do you like to constantly bitch like a 4 year old? Everything doesn't need to be butchered down to your size? Reviewing a review, go outside a bit, it's spring and you're a pasty patsy of the internet. there is a bonus 7 inch with some pre-orders, but no one ever lists whats on it, like I'm going to fucking buy it because its 'special' and a 7 inch, so fucking underground. A blank 7 inch of wax with no songs. did anyone buy the deluxe edition? what is special about it? just the digi-pak? I am still warming up to the new album, but I saw them in Allentown last night and they were fucking amazing. Great Show. Full collapse was amazing, and really set the tone when it came out. I have heard most of this record and it is great. I remember seeing Thurday on warped tour maybe 4 years ago when they played on a small stage and they were one of the best bands I have ever seen live. So much energy! Can't wait to see them again this year on mainstage at Warped! brilliant album. this cd is pretty good. when i compare these to all the other bands i listen to in high school (tbs, alk3, brand new) these guys are the only ones that seem to have grown for the better. I haven't heard this yet, and I actually forgot it came out today. There coming to my city in less than two weeks. This album is great, head and shoulders above War All the Time. Rickly's vocals and the bands music really give those Smith's comparison'd credence. One of Colin's best reviews. hey g-dawg, he judges it on the genre, as well. i haven't listened to this enough times to give it a fair score, so i won't. I've looked at some of your reviews before but never really paid any attention. You don't like the stuff i do, which is fine. I don't care, and neither do you. You judge it by that? So....the last Hawthorne heights album was a ten? You judge it by that? So....the last Hawthorne heights album was a ten? full collapse was amazing, war all the time wasnt. ill have to hear this one first, but i dont have high hopes. A 9? "This review doesn't tell me anything about how this album sounds. You just say they re-invented themselves. Bowie re-invented himself with each album, so did Madonna. You have to tell us how they changed." i heard it about a week ago. im on my way to pick it up now. fine album by my favorite band. War All The Time is clearly Thursday's best album. This isn't as bad as Waiting though. A 9? jesse is correct. for someone who has never heard the band, words like "epic" "intense" and "poppy" are nice but you still have no clue what the band sounds like. having said that, i've heard thursday before and while seeing that they are a step above the bands that try to ape their style, this band does absolutely nothing for me. This review doesn't tell me anything about how this album sounds. You just say they re-invented themselves. Bowie re-invented himself with each album, so did Madonna. You have to tell us how they changed. "MARiTIME REVIEW, NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! " Fantastic album from the best band of a really shitty, watered down genre...it sucks when people pass them off just because of the company that they find themselves in sometimes I listened to this yesterday and the musicianship is top notch. I really like it These guys don't do it for me, the record is meh. I thought this was the secret page to get the The Refused DVD torrent link. i am extremely anxious to hear this record. this review made me excited to hear it. i'll be picking it up tomorrow. i'll give a score then. This is not a 4.5 star album. This is the same album thursday has been releasing for years. i like thursday, don't get me wrong, but its about time for that promised change and experimentation. Ignite isn't out till May 16th so the review won't run till then. But the short version is that it's amazing and possibly the best thing they've ever done. i'd also like to add i just heard the unused b-side, "even the sand is made of seashells" (which was on the 7" and itunes bonus)... and it's really, really strong and totally different than anything thursday has ever done. it makes me really intrigued as to what was left off the disc. I'm picking this thing up later today. It will be good. I'm sure of it. I've been listening to this record all day, and while I'm not freaking out about it, it's definitely solid. Dave Fridmann made this band sound incredible -- it's like the Flaming Lips gone post-hardcore. [Sorry for the spam] Is this the band with that CHEESY ass video where they're on the train and there's some guy in a hat falling around? i'm not listening to this until i have the full cd in my hands, but i have a feeling it will be a dissapointment, especially lyrically. Hmm, just from listening to the stream, We Will Overcome has become my favourite song so far. That will probably change, but it doesn't seem forced at all to me. Where's the Sunset Rubdown review? That's the question. I still don't get why everyone thinks the new Ignite is any good. Am I getting out of touch with punk? A lot of it seems really cheesy and lame. Also, I didn't mean that to sound as contrary as it does. I'm just so psyched for that show. Where's the Ignite review? So Colin, are you on staff now? "Also totally stoked to see them tonight with mewithoutYou and Minus the Bear. Now THAT is how you put a lineup together." Also, am I the only one who thinks "Counting (5-4-3-2-1)" is possibly the most annoying song ever? i'm not listening to this until i have the full cd in my hands, but i have a feeling it will be a dissapointment, especially lyrically. Are you kidding? this album is sub-par and the worst thing they've done since their debut. It sounds incredibly uninspired and bored. I listened to the album a couple of times but wasn't really feeling it. Judging from your review it might grow on me, though. Where's the Ignite review? good album...i need a few more listens before i can judge it fairly though...right now i give it 8/10 The stream was amazing, this cd has blown me away. I've only heard "Counting..." and "Running from the Rain" (Dear Appleseed Cast, Hey!) and the 5 leaked demos, but decided to avoid the shitty myspace stream and just wait to have the full thing in my hands. I'm pretty much convinced this will be amazing, as was War. colin you're great but i disagree |
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