The Locust - Safety Second, Body Last (2005)

This 10 minute EP is filled with all of the intensity you hear in The Locust's usual 30 second songs but has trippy ambient lulls in between each of the movements. There are only two tracks but there are 11 movements all together. This EP is great because it takes The Locust's intensity and absurd synth-laced tactics and puts a twist on progressive rock and gives birth to a very deranged piece of music. Enjoy...or dont.

1. Armless and Overactive
   "Who's Handling the Population Paste?"
   Invented Organs
   "New Tongue Sweepstakes"
   "Consenting Abscess (Part 1)"
2. "Consenting Abscess (Part 2)"
   One Decent Leg
   "Movement Across the Membrane"
   "Oscillating Eyes"
   Immune System Overtime
   "Hairy Mouth"

Safety Second, Body Last

Rx Bandits - The Resignation (2003)

The Rx Bandits are a very intriguing band. They can appeal to almost anyone with their usually poppy choruses and the beautiful vocals of Matt Embree. They also use a lot of reggae inspired riffs and even when they arent playing anything with that kind of sound you can still feel it in the background or maybe some trombone will come into the picture. They are also very technical and use a lot of tie signature changing in a bunch of songs but do it gracefully so it doesn't feel like mathrock but still ads an interesting touch. Not to mention the amazing drumming in every song that really keeps it going. This is somewhat popular stuff but if you havent heard it yet, definitely give it a chance.

1. "Sell You Beautiful" – 3:37
2. "Prophetic" – 4:54
3. "Newsstand Rock (Exposition)" – 2:52
4. "Overcome (The Recapitulation)" – 3:46
5. "Never Slept So Soundly" – 5:41
6. "Taking Chase As The Serpent Slithers" – 4:41
7. "Republic" – 4:17
8. "Mastering The List" – 7:23
9. "Falling Down The Mountain" – 5:30
10. "Dinna-Dawg (And The Inevitable Onset of Lunacy)" – 6:36
11. "Pal-Treaux" – 4:38
12. "Decresendo" – 5:47

The Resignation

Thrice - The Alchemy Index Vols. III & IV (2008)

The second half of The Alchemy Index was released about a month ago and is equally amazing as the first half. Unlike all the other elements, the Air volume doesn't "sound" as much as its element as the other volumes do but besides that its probably the most solid volume. Earth is all done with acoustic guitar and percussion instruments in a very folky way that has a really great feel. Definitely check out this second half.

Vol III: Air

1. "Broken Lungs" - 4:14
   
2. "The Sky Is Falling" - 4:21
   
3. "A Song for Milly Michaelson" - 5:07
   
4. "Daedalus" - 6:00
   
5. "As the Crow Flies" - 2:22
   
6. "Silver Wings" - 2:10
   

Vol IV: Earth

1. "Moving Mountains" - 2:55
   
2. "Digging My Own Grave" - 3:04
   
3. "The Earth Isn't Humming" - 4:58
   
4. "The Lion and the Wolf" - 2:42
   
5. "Come All You Weary" - 4:08
   
6. "Child of Dust" - 3:09

Air
Earth

Thrice - The Alchemy Index Vols. I & II (2007)

The first 2 volumes in Thrice's Alchemy Index project. Over the past 2 weeks these have become 2 of my favorite albums of all time. The sheer epic proportions plus the amazing concept make this a really intense listen. In these first 2 volumes, you can hear how they adapted their music to each element really well. The songs on Fire are all very intense and hectic while all of the songs on Water are very mellow and feature a lot of effects to make the sound dampened and almost like its being played under water at some points. It's simply genius and everyone should give it a listen. Throw any conceptions of Thrice's poppy/hardcore background out the window and snag this and the next 2 volumes which ill upload later.

Vol I: Fire

1. "Firebreather" - 4:24
2. "The Messenger" - 2:09
3. "Backdraft" - 4:08
4. "The Arsonist" - 4:13
5. "Burn the Fleet" - 3:46
6. "The Flame Deluge" - 3:27

Vol II: Water

1. "Digital Sea" - 3:44
2. "Open Water" - 3:46
3. "Lost Continent" - 4:30
4. "Night Diving" - 6:02
5. "The Whaler" - 4:09
6. "Kings Upon the Main" - 4:56

Fire
Water

Sorry, no music

I'm busy procrastinating and the like. Plus, I have finals this week. I'll have something good for when i post again. In the meantime...