Thursday/Envy — Split

Thursday's four songs are the stronger portion of this split, mainly because they're the best four songs the band have ever recorded. "As He Climbed The Dark Mountain" and "An Absurd And Unrealistic Dream Of Peace" are both songs you'd expect from Thursday, but have an added experimental edge. And "In Silence" and Mercury Rev bassist Carlos Anthony Molina's remix of "Appeared And Was Gone" push Thursday's sound into uncharted territory. The results are nothing short of epic.

Japan's Envy were a band I couldn't get into in the past, and listening to their three contributions to this split make me wonder why. All 15 minutes spent listening to their half are worthwhile. Their blend of screamo, electronic and post-rock is emotional and breathtaking. The result is much like Thursday's work: utterly grand.

Listening to this split CD begs the question: why aren't more bands doing this? Not only do you get to hear two fantastic groups without having to change discs, but it also builds anticipation for their next full-lengths. Thursday have managed to break barriers for themselves, and Envy make you want to revisit the original days of screamo.