The Artist in the Ambulance

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The Artist in the Ambulance
Thrice - The Artist in the Ambulance cover.jpg
Studio album by
Thrice
ReleasedJuly 22, 2003
RecordedMarch–April 2003
Studio
  • Salad Days Studios, Beltsville, Maryland
  • Bearsville Studios, Bearsville, New York
  • Phase Studios, College Park, Maryland
Genre
Length39:43
LabelIsland
ProducerBrian McTernan
Thrice chronology
The Illusion of Safety
(2002) 		The Artist in the Ambulance
(2003) 		If We Could Only See Us Now
(2005)
Singles from The Artist in the Ambulance
  1. "All That's Left"
    Released: June 17, 2003
  2. "Under a Killing Moon"
    Released: July 1, 2003
  3. "Stare at the Sun"
    Released: November 18, 2003

The Artist in the Ambulance is the third studio album by American rock band Thrice. It was released on July 22, 2003, through Island Records, marking their first release on a major label. The album spawned two charting singles, "All That's Left" and "Stare at the Sun", both of which charted on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart. It is now seen as an important release for the band, and one of the most enduring albums of the 2000s post-hardcore movement.[1]

Background[]

In June 2000, Thrice released their debut album Identity Crisis through independent label Greenflag Records.[2] Sometime afterwards, Louis Posen of Sub City Records took interest in the group and re-issued the album. The group's second album, the Brian McTernan-produced The Illusion of Safety, followed in February 2002.[3] The band then went on Plea for Peace tour across the US,[3] before touring the west coast and playing across North America on a seven-week tour.[4] Soon afterwards, the band began headlining shows, drawing attention from major labels[5] in April.[6]

Around this time, the group were being courted by music mogul Rick Rubin.[7] In June, the group signed to major label Island Records,[5] and announced the signing the following month.[8] The signing came about after some people from the label went to one of their shows.[9] Vocalist/guitarist Dustin Kensrue said they "felt it was the right move" for the group and would allow them to "make better music and be on the road more."[10] Also in July, the group spent time at home writing material for their next album.[8] The group then appeared on the main stage at Warped Tour,[9] before playing club shows in October and November.[8]

Recording[]

In March and April 2003, the group were recording[11][7] at Salad Days Studios in Beltsville, Maryland. McTernan returned to produce and engineered the sessions. Kensrue had a few disagreements with McTernan over lyrics. Kensrue was feeling "really maxed out" while in the studio as he wrote most of the lyrics there.[12] Having no time to rest, whenever he came up with a lyric that McTernan "would know that it wasn't the best I could do, and he would tell me."[12] Guitarist Teppei Teranishi said they spent more time on structuring their songs as they used to "just throw songs together" previously.[10] Drums were recorded at Bearsville Studios in Bearsville, New York with engineer Michael Barbiero and Pro Tools operator Matt Squire; Bill Synan assisted the pair.[13]

The strings on "Cold Cash and Colder Hearts" and "The Melting Point of Wax" were recorded at Phase Studios in College Park, Maryland. Charlie Barnett arranged and conducted the session, which consisted of Marcio Bothello (cello), Osman Kivrak (viola), Teri Lazar (violin), Chris Shieh (violin) and Greg Watkins (double bass). Andy Wallace mixed the recordings at Soundtrack studios in New York City with assistance from Steve Sisco and Pro Tools operator Josh Wilbur. Howie Weinberg mastered the recordings at Masterdisck in New York City.[13] Two extra songs, "Motion Isn't Meaning" and "Eclipse", were recorded during the sessions, but left off the finished album.[14]

Composition[]

Musically, the album has been classified as melodic hardcore[15][16] and post-hardcore,[17] with elements of indie rock.[18] It drew comparison to Blindside.[19] Jon Wiederhorn of MTV said the album mixed together thrash metal, hardcore punk, emo and pop punk, "often within a single song."[20] The album's title was inspired by the book Burn Collector by Al Burian. Kensrue said: "It's basically asking the question, 'Do we, as artists, have the responsibility to do something more than ... entertain?'"[20]

The album opens with "Cold Cash and Colder Hearts", an aggressive track that showcases Teranishi's guitarwork and Kensrue's vocals.[21] "Under a Killing Moon" mixed hardcore stylings with indie rock,[18] switching between older forms of metal to hard rock.[16] Kesnrue said "All That's Left" talks about the "strength we have in our youth and the things we trade for that".[20] The vocal harmonies on the track were reminiscent of P.O.D.[18] According to Kensrue, "The Melting Point of Wax" was a response to people "bitching at us for decisions" they made in the previous year.[15] It is a re-telling of the Icarus mythology.[22] "The Abolition of Man" was one of the heaviest tracks on the album, incorporating different time signatures[16] and Arabian-esque guitar riffs.[23]

Release[]

In April and May 2003, the group went on tour with the Used. During this tour, the group performed new material,[11] and appeared at Skate and Surf Fest.[24] On April 5, The Artist in the Ambulance was announced for released in July.[25] In May and June, the group participated in the Deconstruction Tour, which visited various European countries.[26] "Under a Killing Moon" was posted on the band's website on May 10,[27] and the album's track listing was posted three days later.[28] "All That's Left" was released to alternative radio on June 17,[29] and two days later, the album's artwork was posted online.[30] Between late June and early August, the group appeared on the Warped Tour.[31] "Under a Killing Moon" was released on a split 7" vinyl single with "For the Workforce, Drowning" by Thursday on July 1.[32] A music video for "All That's Left", directed by the Workshop, premiered through MTV on July 8.[33]

Initially planned for release on July 15,[11] The Artist in the Ambulance was released through Island Records on July 22.[34] A limited edition version of the album was also released featuring special artwork, lyrics and details about each track.[35] Five percent of the sales[10] from Artist were donated to a charitable cause, which was Syrentha J. Savio Endowment. The organization provides chemotherapy and other medication for those who cannot afford it.[27] The charity was founded by Mark Beemer, a friend of the band whose wife passed away from breast cancer.[36] Drummer Riley Breckenridge stated that: "It feels really good to be involved with someone who is so dedicated in making a difference in people's lives."[36] Around the release, the group signed in-store signings.[33] On August 21, the band appeared on The Late Late Show.[37]

For the rest of the month, the group performed at the Reading and Leeds Festivals in the UK, before embarking on a European tour supporting Rancid and Alkaline Trio.[20] On September 18, the band performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live.[38] In October, they embarked on a UK tour,[39] which led into a North American tour with Thursday and Coheed and Cambria, which ran into November.[40] Two weeks of this tour was headlined by the Deftones.[20] The music video for "Stare at the Sun" was released on November 12.[41] It was directed by Brett Simon, and features use of a photocopy machine, which Simon says is done to "illustrate a search for meaning and knowledge."[42] The song was released to alternative radio on November 18.[29] In December, the band performed at the KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas festival.[43] In February 2004, the band toured Japan, before embarking on an Australian tour with Alkaline Trio and Hot Water Music.[44] Following this, the band toured Europe with Coheed and Cambria and Vaux.[45] In March and April, the band embarked on a US tour with Poison the Well, Darkest Hour, and Moments in Grace.[46] In May and June, the group supported Dashboard Confessional on the Honda Civic Tour.[47] The group then appeared on Warped Tour for a third time.[4]

Reception[]

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic4/5 stars[17]
BillboardFavorable[48]
CMJ New Music ReportFavorable[49]
Cross Rhythms9/10 stars[18]
Exclaim!Favorable[23]
IGN9/10 [16]
Melodic3.5/5 stars [19]
PopMattersFavorable[21]
Rolling Stone2/5 stars[50]
Sputnikmusic4/5[51]

The Artist in the Ambulance received positive critical reviews. NME listed the album as one of "20 Emo Albums That Have Resolutely Stood The Test Of Time".[1]

Prior to release, 100k copies had been shipped to stores.[33] The album peaked at #16 on the Billboard 200 charts, the band's first charting album.[52] "All That's Left" peaked at number 24, becoming the band's highest-charting single until "Black Honey" in 2016.[53] "Stare at the Sun" peaked at number 39.[53]

Track listing[]

All music by Thrice. Lyrics by Dustin Kensrue.[13]

No.TitleLength
1."Cold Cash and Colder Hearts"2:52
2."Under a Killing Moon"2:41
3."All That's Left"3:20
4."Silhouette"3:06
5."Stare at the Sun"3:23
6."Paper Tigers"3:59
7."Hoods on Peregrine"3:31
8."The Melting Point of Wax"3:29
9."Blood Clots and Black Holes"2:49
10."The Artist in the Ambulance"3:39
11."The Abolition of Man"2:46
12."Don't Tell and We Won't Ask"3:59

Personnel[]

Personnel per booklet.[13]

Charts[]

References[]

Citations

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b "20 Emo Albums That Have Resolutely Stood The Test Of Time". NME.com. January 14, 2015. Archived from the original on August 16, 2015. Retrieved July 29, 2015.
  2. ^ "Biography". thrice.net. Archived from the original on February 16, 2001. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b Sharpe-Young 2005, p. 329
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b Sharpe-Young 2005, p. 330
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b Loftus, Johnny. "Thrice | Biography & History". AllMusic. All Media Network, LLC. Archived from the original on February 18, 2017. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
  6. ^ Heisel, Scott (April 12, 2002). "A not so major Island for Thrice". Punknews.org. Aubin Paul. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
  7. ^ Jump up to: a b Billboard 2003, p. 10
  8. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Thrice Signs to Island". Kludge. July 18, 2002. Archived from the original on March 5, 2008. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
  9. ^ Jump up to: a b Orshoski 2003, p. 15
  10. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Thrice: Under a Killing Moon". Cross Rhythms. Cornerstone House. December 24, 2003. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  11. ^ Jump up to: a b c White, Adam (March 20, 2003). "Thrice Road Tests New Material Alongside The Used". Punknews.org. Aubin Paul. Archived from the original on April 10, 2018. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
  12. ^ Jump up to: a b Orshoski 2003, p. 17
  13. ^ Jump up to: a b c d The Artist in the Ambulance (Booklet). Thrice. Island Records. 2003. 0044007729120.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  14. ^ Shultz, Brian (April 20, 2005). "Interviews: Thrice". Punknews.org. Aubin Paul. Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
  15. ^ Jump up to: a b Weingarten 2003, p. 32
  16. ^ Jump up to: a b c d Madsen, Nick (August 4, 2003). "Thrice - The Artist in the Ambulance". IGN. Archived from the original on October 25, 2012. Retrieved July 19, 2017.
  17. ^ Jump up to: a b Loftus, Johnny. "The Artist in the Ambulance - Senses Fail". AllMusic. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  18. ^ Jump up to: a b c d Helgeson, Dustin (March 1, 2004). "Thrice - The Artist In The Ambulance". Cross Rhythms. Cornerstone House. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  19. ^ Jump up to: a b Wippsson, Johan (October 27, 2003). "Thrice - The Artist in the Ambulance". Melodic. Archived from the original on April 10, 2018. Retrieved July 19, 2017.
  20. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e Wiederhorn, Jon (August 14, 2003). "Thrice Educate, Give Fans 'All That's Left' With Major-Label Debut". MTV. Viacom. Archived from the original on April 10, 2018. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
  21. ^ Jump up to: a b Klunk, Christine (January 20, 2004). "Thrice: The Artist in the Ambulance". PopMatters. PopMatters Media, Inc. Archived from the original on December 29, 2017. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  22. ^ Rosen, Alison M. (November 6, 2003). "The Tyranny of Irony". OC Weekly. Archived from the original on January 9, 2004. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  23. ^ Jump up to: a b White-Gluz, Jasamine (August 1, 2003). "Thrice The Artist in the Ambulance". Exclaim!. Ian Danzig. Archived from the original on April 9, 2018. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
  24. ^ Heisel, Scott (April 3, 2003). "Finalized Skate and Surf Fest lineup announced". Punknews.org. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
  25. ^ White, Adam (April 8, 2003). "Thrice Titles New Album". Punknews.org. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
  26. ^ White, Adam (March 8, 2003). "Deconstruction Tour Bands & Dates". Punknews.org. Aubin Paul. Archived from the original on April 10, 2018. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
  27. ^ Jump up to: a b White, Adam (May 10, 2003). "Thrice Album Update, Charity Contribution Announced". Punknews.org. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
  28. ^ White, Adam (May 13, 2003). "New Thrice Song Online". Punknews.org. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
  29. ^ Jump up to: a b "FMQB Airplay Archive: Modern Rock". Friday Morning Quarterback Album Report, Incorporated. Archived from the original on March 22, 2013. Retrieved October 30, 2016.
  30. ^ White, Adam (June 19, 2003). "Thrice Website Gets A Facelift". Punknews.org. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
  31. ^ "Final Band List Announced". Warped Tour. February 6, 2003. Archived from the original on October 3, 2003. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
  32. ^ MTV News Staff (June 30, 2003). "For The Record: Quick News On Missy Elliott And Madonna, R. Kelly, Monica Lewinsky, Ruben Studdard, Deftones & More". MTV. Viacom. Archived from the original on May 4, 2015. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  33. ^ Jump up to: a b c Team Retail 2003, p. 25
  34. ^ Wippsson, Johan (June 6, 2003). "Thrice And The Artist In The Ambulance". Melodic. Archived from the original on April 10, 2018. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
  35. ^ Wippsson, Johan (July 22, 2003). "Thrice New Album In Store Today". Melodic. Archived from the original on April 10, 2018. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
  36. ^ Jump up to: a b http://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2485&context=guardian. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  37. ^ Heisel, Scott (August 18, 2003). "Bands on TV - week of 8/18/03". Punknews.org. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
  38. ^ Heisel, Scott (September 15, 2003). "Bands on TV - week of 9/15/03". Punknews.org. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
  39. ^ Chown, Stu (August 14, 2003). "Thrice Go Clubbing!". Drowned in Sound. Archived from the original on November 14, 2003. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  40. ^ Wiederhorn, Jon (September 4, 2003). "Thursday Deal With Paranoia, Women Who Want To Be Hit On New LP". MTV. Viacom. Archived from the original on February 6, 2018. Retrieved February 4, 2018.
  41. ^ White, Adam (November 12, 2003). "'Stare At The Sun' Video Online". Punknews.org. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
  42. ^ "Music - Video Premiere - Thrice". MTV. Viacom. Archived from the original on April 14, 2004. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
  43. ^ White, Adam (November 22, 2003). "Rancid, AFI, Thrice & more @ KROQ's Acoustic Christmas". Punknews.org. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
  44. ^ White, Adam (December 12, 2003). "Thrice / Alkaline Trio / Hot Water Music Australian tour". Punknews.org. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
  45. ^ Heisel, Scott (December 7, 2003). "Thrice / Coheed and Cambria / Vaux European tour". Punknews.org. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
  46. ^ Heisel, Scott (December 24, 2003). "Thrice/Poison The Well/Darkest Hour/Moments In Grace". Punknews.org. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
  47. ^ Goldstein, Jeremy P. (March 8, 2004). "Honda Civic Tour Enlists Dashboard Confessional & Thrice". The Fader. Andy Cohn. Archived from the original on April 10, 2018. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
  48. ^ Teitelman 2003, p. 35
  49. ^ Sciarretto 2003, p. 24
  50. ^ Rolling Stone review
  51. ^ Damrod (June 1, 2005). "Review: Thrice - The Artist in the Ambulance". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  52. ^ "Thrice - Chart history | Billboard". www.billboard.com. Archived from the original on 2017-03-12. Retrieved 2017-10-02.
  53. ^ Jump up to: a b "Thrice". www.popradiotop20.com. Archived from the original on 2017-10-02. Retrieved 2017-10-02.
  54. ^ "Chart Log UK (1994–2010) DJ T – Tzant". zobbel.de. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  55. ^ "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
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  57. ^ "Thrice Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved January 26, 2021.

Sources

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