Reviews

"War All the Time?" Doesn't Charles Bukowski have a book of poetry with the same name? Anyway, how do you name an album? Simple, take the most repeated phrase on the album, and BAM. Hence, the titular track, repeating "War all of the time," for the last minute or two of the song turning the gasp, political piece, into a hackneyed little drone and fade away. I think this album is pretty good, I think it's better than "Full Collapse," but Thursday fans could disagree, how should I know?
Which band came first? Taking Back Sunday or Thursday? They both remind me of eachother. On Thursday's Island Records/major label debut, we get a batch of pretty good, and actually very well written songs. The lyrics are really a strong point on this album, and the band in general. Another thing that I noticed back when I first heard "Full Collapse" was that the musicians were actually quite good, it was just the singer's voice that got on my nerves. It still gets on my nerves a little, but not as much.
Some really great tracks on this, like the opener, "For the Workforce, Drowning," the single "Signals Over the Air," "Asleep in the Chapel," and the powerful closer "Tomorrow I'll Be You," except when he says, "Thats the sound of music from another room," that part makes me gag. Otherwise, Thursday really have their own sound going for them, in the sense that you can hear Thursday and instantly recognize the band regardless if you love or loathe them.
Thinking about it, the opener, "For the Workforce, Drowning," is one of the best opening tracks that I've heard all year and really opens the album fantastically. Good use of screaming thoroughout the album as well, unlike certain bands, whom will remain nameless, that totally misuse screaming etiquette.
Like I said before, this album is good. It just seems to follow the same, derivitave path about halfway through the album and gets boring. Great lyrics, great musicianship (Especially the opening of "Signals Over the Air," fantastic), and yeah, if you like this band, you'll probably dig this album (Guest review by: Ian from Punk United.com).