• Record Label: Vagrant
  • Release Date: Sep 20, 2011
User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 37 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 37
  2. Negative: 2 out of 37
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  1. Sep 20, 2011
    10
    Thrice albums are the only releases in music that I truly look forward to each time, ever since I first got hooked all those years ago. This is no exception. 'Major/Minor' is an incredible album, and any self-respecting Thrice fan, or music fan, for that matter, should pick it up. At least give it a listen. It's well worth your time.
  2. Sep 21, 2011
    10
    There is no doubt that this is one of the best albums ever created. The lyrical work and the tunes are stunning, not a shock coming from Thrice, as Dustin's lyrics are always deep and meaningful. Thrice must really have put their souls and effort into this masterpiece. The album is flawless
  3. Sep 21, 2011
    10
    Yet again: brilliant. Dustin Kensrue provides beautiful lyrics and has a great band behind him that is not afraid to experiment with sounds and it all comes together incredibly well. Thrice is definitely at its prime and i'm looking forward to what they will further contribute to the music industry. You won't find music of this caliber and intellect anymore. The psychological aspects andYet again: brilliant. Dustin Kensrue provides beautiful lyrics and has a great band behind him that is not afraid to experiment with sounds and it all comes together incredibly well. Thrice is definitely at its prime and i'm looking forward to what they will further contribute to the music industry. You won't find music of this caliber and intellect anymore. The psychological aspects and moral ideologies that Kensrue presents are much like reading some of the greatest works of literature. If this kind of music is for you then this album will have a lasting impression on you. I would also definitely recommend their previous album "Beggars." Thrice deserves much more credit then they have. This is a special group of musicians that seem to come together to make special music. Songs to listen to: Words in the Water, Listen Through Me, Promises, Anthology Expand
  4. Sep 22, 2011
    10
    Thrice is one of the few math-rock bands that's able to experiment with different styles, and some how make it work. They're also one of the few bands that doesn't focus on the over production of their music that we're used to hearing on the radio, but more of the raw music you would hear live. Dustin Kensrue is also a brilliant lyricist. Major/Minor is no exception, Call it in the Air,Thrice is one of the few math-rock bands that's able to experiment with different styles, and some how make it work. They're also one of the few bands that doesn't focus on the over production of their music that we're used to hearing on the radio, but more of the raw music you would hear live. Dustin Kensrue is also a brilliant lyricist. Major/Minor is no exception, Call it in the Air, Words In The Water, Listen Through Me, Anthology, and Blinded are excellent. If you don't own this CD, it's a must own, Thrice shows once again how they're able to consistently get better. The more you listen to their CD's the more you will fall in love with Thrice. Expand
  5. Sep 25, 2011
    10
    This record is the ultimate culmination of a decade-long experimental progression of a brilliantly versatile band. The tracks presented in this album are raw, pure, no-frills yet elegant rock that's flawless from beginning to end. Thrice is one of those bands that many people overlook simply because not a single song or album can define them. They've released eight records within the spanThis record is the ultimate culmination of a decade-long experimental progression of a brilliantly versatile band. The tracks presented in this album are raw, pure, no-frills yet elegant rock that's flawless from beginning to end. Thrice is one of those bands that many people overlook simply because not a single song or album can define them. They've released eight records within the span of a decade (one of which is a collection of 4 EPs called the Alchemy Index), each possessing a unique character with varying genre-fusing influences. I haven't felt this strongly about an album in years. Grab it, play it, love it. Expand
  6. Sep 26, 2011
    10
    I can't think of a reason why Thrice shouldn't be my favorite band in the world right now. Major/Minor leaves next to nothing to be desired in a modern rock album. Everything that Thrice has done well in the past is present on this disc in droves upon droves. While not being overly progressive in the vein of 'The Alchemy Index' EP's, and seeming slightly more filled out than theI can't think of a reason why Thrice shouldn't be my favorite band in the world right now. Major/Minor leaves next to nothing to be desired in a modern rock album. Everything that Thrice has done well in the past is present on this disc in droves upon droves. While not being overly progressive in the vein of 'The Alchemy Index' EP's, and seeming slightly more filled out than the unabashed minimalism of 'Beggars', 'Major/Minor' succeeds at being both raw and sonic and captures the sound of a band that has reached its summit. Lyrically, Dustin Kensrue is without equal. That's not to say he simply parrots SAT words one after the other but there's a careful, poetic quality to his words that seems to extend far beyond his years. As if that weren't enough, Kensrue puts forth a vocal effort that is both singular and powerful. on 'Disarmed' he croons and moves softly through watery moments while on 'Blur' he manages to unleash some of the buzz-saw ferocity that helped put Thrice on the map years ago. While Kensrue is arguably the greatest (and a good candidate for most underrated) front man in modern rock, 'Major/Minor' does not solely belong to him. Teppei Teranishi has come a long way from post-hardcore shredding and he drives that point home on gems like 'Treading Paper' and 'Call it in the Air'. His playing is calculated and is less about mach 3 soloing than crafting ambient, mood inducing leads. There's still fire there, though, and like Dustin Kensrue he isn't afraid to cut loose several times throughout the record. The same goes for the brothers Breckenridge who continue to put forth phenomenal work in the rhythm section. While Eddie is once again nothing the unsung hero out of the quartet, Riley delivers his greatest performance to date. He's no Danny Carey or Mike Portnoy and he doesn't need to be. He bends and curves Thrice's grooves seamlessly, never fighting more of the spotlight than what he absolutely needs. If 'Major/Minor' is anything, it's a snap-shot of Thrice's greatest, most triumphant moments. In the song 'Blur', Kensrue sings- "the shutter opens but never closes, I am lost/ Waylaid in light trails" If that's the case, then what an amazing light storm to get lost in. Even the weakest tracks carry more than enough weight- there are no throw aways on this album -which is important, because when you do arrive at the album's crown jewel, the flawless 'Anthology', it makes it seem like an added bonus to an already rewarding listening experience. 'Major/Minor' may not reinvent the wheel, but it does define the Thrice back-catalogue, which is impressive in and of itself. The darks and lights, the band's highs and lows throughout the years- it's all here, presented without bias. And maybe that's the beauty of Thrice, they've nothing to hide and nothing left to prove. This, simply, is as good a modern rock album as you will ever find. Expand
  7. Sep 26, 2011
    10
    With Major/Minor, Thrice have further cemented the fact that they cannot write a mediocre record. From the riff-heavy leanings of opener "Yellow Belly" to the grandiose beauty that is "Words in the Water," Major/Minor does not disappoint. The band pick up right where they left off with 2009's Beggars, creating another honest, raw, and aggressive album. This time, they employed the effortsWith Major/Minor, Thrice have further cemented the fact that they cannot write a mediocre record. From the riff-heavy leanings of opener "Yellow Belly" to the grandiose beauty that is "Words in the Water," Major/Minor does not disappoint. The band pick up right where they left off with 2009's Beggars, creating another honest, raw, and aggressive album. This time, they employed the efforts of outside producer Dave Schiffman to help with the recording, and the result is undoubtedly their strongest effort yet. Simultaneously heavy, melodic, and lyrically significant, any fan of rock music will enjoy Major/Minor. Expand
  8. Oct 9, 2011
    10
    I feel like Thrice's music and I have grown up together. From the post-hardcore metal riffs and screaming angst I resonated with in high school to the earthy, powerful rock I love today, they've come a long way and never seem to second guess taking opportunities to experiment and evolve. While Beggars was a threshold-crossing step into a new sound that, while superb, had its share of roughI feel like Thrice's music and I have grown up together. From the post-hardcore metal riffs and screaming angst I resonated with in high school to the earthy, powerful rock I love today, they've come a long way and never seem to second guess taking opportunities to experiment and evolve. While Beggars was a threshold-crossing step into a new sound that, while superb, had its share of rough edges, Major/Minor not only takes those new elements forward another few steps, but polishes that new sound to a brilliant shine. I almost dropped the score to 9 for the only flaw this album seems to have; While most albums tend to ebb and flow in terms of quality and intensity, Major/Minor delivers a consistence in energy and excellence from beginning to end that doesn't give any particular songs the chance to stand out. Nothing on this album can quality as "filler," and prolonged listening may cause it all to blur together a bit. However, can you really dock an album points for being just that good because you've come to expect less of the music industry by default? I can't; Thrice has earned this one. Give every song on this album its well deserved and individual attention, Major/Minor is a masterpiece. Expand
  9. Nov 16, 2011
    9
    It's so hard for me to give anything a ten but this is pretty close. I love this cd, the lyrics and the instrumentals are great. The way Dustin sings with such passion makes it so much better. Seeing them play a few of these songs live made it all the better for me. If you're a fan of Beggars or the Alchemy Index then I'd definitely recommend this cd. However, if you're into their earlyIt's so hard for me to give anything a ten but this is pretty close. I love this cd, the lyrics and the instrumentals are great. The way Dustin sings with such passion makes it so much better. Seeing them play a few of these songs live made it all the better for me. If you're a fan of Beggars or the Alchemy Index then I'd definitely recommend this cd. However, if you're into their early stuff, I might not endorse it... but you probably already stopped listening to thrice anyway... such a fool you are Collapse
  10. Dec 5, 2011
    9
    Some people may not like Thrice albums, but the band has changed over the ages. It has grown into a genre of itself, there is no other band like Thrice and Major/Minor is a perfect example is a both a reminiscence of old Thrice mixed with a new, more mainstream Thrice sound. Thrice has not lost its soul and still keeps me engaged after all these years. Lyrics, strong as always; some songsSome people may not like Thrice albums, but the band has changed over the ages. It has grown into a genre of itself, there is no other band like Thrice and Major/Minor is a perfect example is a both a reminiscence of old Thrice mixed with a new, more mainstream Thrice sound. Thrice has not lost its soul and still keeps me engaged after all these years. Lyrics, strong as always; some songs don't instantly touch you like Vheissu but after a listen, they're all great. Vheissu is still my favorite but Major/Minor is not far behind. Expand
  11. j30
    Nov 2, 2011
    8
    Another solid release from a band who has gone from away from their experimental side to just create a really good rock album. Beggars is still my favorite, but this is a nice detour.
  12. Sep 25, 2011
    6
    We all know the danger of groups with math rock tendencies; dullness is only a repeated motif away. However, Major/Minor avoids that pitfall with some ease. What Thrice have delivered, somewhat unexpectedly, is an accomplished if rather unfashionable alternative rock album in the mould of Interpol and their ilk. Though far from a classic or even one of 2011's best, it is a worthwhile listen.
Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 10
  2. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. Nov 21, 2011
    70
    With Major/Minor Thrice have stripped away unnecessary studio production, added instrumentation and pretention to offer simply a great rock album.
  2. Kerrang!
    Nov 15, 2011
    80
    Major/Minor is an unusually conventional and yet glorious statement from a band characterised by fearless experimentation and exquisite music. [24 Sep 2011, p.53]
  3. Sep 30, 2011
    60
    It ain't a perfect, cohesive statement, but Major/Minor packs too much power to be ignored.