The Alchemy Index Vols. I and II: Fire and Water Image
Metascore

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critics What's this?

User Score

Universal acclaim- based on 40 Ratings

  • Summary: The first of two volumes of EPs produced by their guitarist Teppei Teranishi.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 12
  2. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. As a concept album, it's halfway to becoming an amazing cycle. There are a few flaws and the second half of the collection to worry about, but so far, Thrice has produced another stunner.
  2. Together Fire and Water form one of the most breathtaking albums of the year. [Nov 2007, p.166]
  3. Examining classical elements is a novel concept, but spreading that concept throughout four EPs, two double-disc sets, and two record releases does little more than dilute an otherwise strong set of songs.
  4. Ridiculous, yes, but to Thrice's credit, wanting to be Deftones (which they attempt here, at length) is a noble endeavour. But the results are still clunky.

See all 12 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 22
  3. Negative: 3 out of 22
  1. I do not believe that Fire and Water is Thrice's best album but its definately no Vheissu. That said, It doesnt deserve the absurdly low rating it has. The fire section of the album is strong and.... explosive, as fire should be; but the album glows on the water section. Digital sea and The Whaler makes are different from anything i've heard before in my life and are both held in high regard. Alchemy index suffers because of the friction created from the 2 different types of sounds used but music lovers of any kind should at least like the water section. Expand
  2. 10
    Amazing album. For me it was very memorable, especially lyrically; Dustin keeps writing amazing lyrics that just blow my mind over and over again with every piece they release.
    The hiatus they just announced was truly devastating for me...
    Expand
  3. j30
    6
    Maybe a little too ambitious and all over the place. I respect what they're trying to do, but as a first time listener it's really hard to get into. I look forward to what they release next. Expand
  4. JohnK
    0
    Absolutely awful. I liked thrice in the sub-city days, but these guys are way overstepping their musical boundaries. Bad Massive Attack-esque electro coats the second half, while the first half is completely monotonous color-by-numbers screamo. Do yourself a favor and break out Identity Crisis instead of wasting your money on a washed up album by a band trying to reinvent themselves. Expand

See all 22 User Reviews