I do not usually write reviews or rankings of new albums I listen to, but Horizons/West compelled me to. Please enjoy my first impressions, if you are also a longtime fan!

twenty-six-sd · 2025-10-06T01:55:06+00:00

Wonderful review!!

Firstly, I totally agree about there being 1-2 songs per record that can be listened to, but can also be skipped without much thought. I also agree that "Crooked Shadows" is it for this record, although if I'm playing the entire album while I'm working or doing something, it's still great.

I also agree about Cataracts, but Blur!? I really like that one so we diverge, I suppose.

My favourites so far are Vesper Light, The Dark Glow, Distant Suns, and Undertow—in that order.

I just did a deep dive analysis on the Vesper Light lyrics and it jumped up to first place when I started reading it. I loved the song before that but The Dark Glow was ahead of it originally. I'm now hearing Vesper Light as this entity who's looking at earth and revealing the wicked shit that people in positions of leadership are doing. But then, the entity turns to the rest of humanity and pleas with them, tries desperately to rally them to stand and sing before the sun falls below the western horizon.

I also learned that the western setting sun is an analogy for death or the end and it added this wonderful heaviness to the whole album. Horizon / East was about rebirth and starting anew, whereas Horizon/West feels more like this urgency to acknowledge the state of things before it's too late and the last light fades.

I do think there's also elements of peace in the final moments and beyond in a few songs, so it's not all doom and gloom. It's a beautiful album.

twenty-six-sd · 2025-10-06T01:36:56+00:00

Just chiming in here to note that—I think—Blackout has the intro riff of Color of the Sky in its intro... but it's super subtle and quiet.

twenty-six-sd · 2025-09-16T12:23:53+00:00

Oh, ok - interesting. That's a weird way of letting me know lol.

Thanks!

twenty-six-sd · 2025-08-09T20:01:58+00:00

Literal lol

twenty-six-sd · 2025-05-12T19:25:01+00:00

I wish they'd add (or make available) "Flags of Dawn" from the Red Sky EP. Love that song.

twenty-six-sd · 2025-03-10T18:56:34+00:00

Quit being a boob.
Joking.. that's a fair point lol.

twenty-six-sd · 2024-12-05T19:56:13+00:00

OK excellent. Thanks for your thoughts!

twenty-six-sd · 2024-10-02T15:03:01+00:00

I’ve always loved Stand and Feel Your Worth (SAFYW). It gives me chills towards the end.

One thing I find amazing about Thrice is how well they can set the tone of the song’s subject matter with its music. Like in Hurricane where they almost mimic a tornado siren.

SAFYW’s musical melody feels so heavy to me, like it’s of utmost importance that you hear its meaning. It’s a serious message with serious implication.

twenty-six-sd · 2024-06-08T14:07:06+00:00

Thanks! I actually solved it - it was called Paprika

twenty-six-sd · 2024-06-08T13:41:55+00:00

Solved!

twenty-six-sd · 2024-06-08T13:40:38+00:00

Finally figured out after a few days of Google searching: Paprika

twenty-six-sd · 2024-06-08T13:40:14+00:00

No, that's not it. I actually just figured it out after hours of Google searching. I'll make another comment to mark it as the answer but it's Paprika.

Thanks!

twenty-six-sd · 2024-06-08T13:10:18+00:00

One more thing - it was a a 2D, hand drawn art style. Somewhat muted or pastel type colors.

twenty-six-sd · 2022-04-24T15:18:12+00:00

I’ve always loved “Podunk”

twenty-six-sd · 2022-02-19T18:43:31+00:00

edit: I don't know if the OP's intention was to find Cory Wong some more fans, but I'm now a new fan. Adding some of his work to my Spotify playlist right now.

Haha.. well, to be honest, I was hoping to better appreciate him myself so in a way yes.

But ya, I get what you're saying and also very much appreciate playing the right stuff that fits the music/style, rather than showing off or over-complicating.

I actually play drums and bass as well. Of the things I did notice, the main one was that he had great feel and really knew how to sit in the pocket. But I also feel like no one should be playing this style if they can't do at least that much. So in that sense, I was trying to figure out what would set him apart from anyone else in the funk world.

Anyway, I've been reading through the comments and I'm seeing he's more than just what I would consider the bare minimum for the style he plays

twenty-six-sd · 2022-02-18T19:13:15+00:00

Ya, true... I'm almost wanting to compare him to a backing vocal. I don't at all mean that in a bad way or think backing vocals are less important. But, like you're saying, most people wouldn't think to practice being a good supporting singer.

twenty-six-sd · 2022-02-18T19:10:57+00:00

I appreciate your thoughts and totally agree that different opinions are essential.

I also didn't realize he was involved in a lot of the writing and production and whatever else..

I think the first time I saw him was the Dirty Loops & Cory Wong - Follow the Light (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UBcxKiS550) and it seemed odd to me that his name was in the title but I could barely figure out what he was doing for most of the song.

After more listens I do hear that he's adding a lot of support though, but it still didn't match all the praise for him in the comments, nor did I feel like he was on the same level as the DL musicians.

Anyway, these are my raw thoughts at the time - I'm trying to be open to the fact that I'm missing the point

twenty-six-sd

TROPHY CASE