Thursday

Kill The House Lights is a CD/DVD package from Thursday that (tentatively) finds the band back on the Victory Records roster. The included CD does feature a few new tracks, but is mostly demos and re-releases of some old gems. This is nothing to whine about, rest assured; however, the real charm of this package is the DVD.

To quickly cover the audio half of the release, “Ladies And Gentlemen…” is a killer track that is actually more aggressive and spastic than anything found on War All The Time, and I love it. If this is a taste of what’s to come (and apparently, it is) then fans are in for a real treat. The demo versions of some Full Collapse staples like “Paris In Flames” are kind of nice for a new (or old) take on some preferred cuts. The disc doesn’t flow as nicely as I’d like, but given that it’s a collection and not an album it works well, considering the context.

The DVD showcases Thursday’s development from their beginning to the release of A City By The Light Divided, spliced with live cuts from a 2007 performance from the Starland Ballroom. The complete live set is also included. The band members weigh in with some very honest and, at times, humorous commentary on growing up and flowering as a band. Additional commentary is provided by figures who’ve kept extensive company with the band at different stages in their careers, including Victory Records owner Tony Brummel and famed producer Sal Villenueva.

The DVD does little to cover up the grim truth of some of the band’s inner struggles, many of which were brought on by external influences, and others which sprouted internally from lack of maturity and poor communication. The documentary provides an insightful look into the workings of a group of kids that initially began with stars in their eyes that eventually faded to glassy emptiness. Maybe I’m being dramatic, but the honesty and introspection in the film are extremely revealing, and make for an excellent viewing experience.

Everything about this package shines, with the DVD reflecting many traits of the band’s music: frailty, vulnerability, truth, and a strange type of beauty. Full Collapse, along with Glassjaw’s Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Silence, are ultimately responsible for bringing me into this scene, and Kill The House Lights was a nice reminder of why I’ve stuck around.  [ END ]

Track Listing [CD]:

01. Ladies And Gentlemen: My Brother, The Failure
02. Dead Songs
03. Voices On A String
04. Signals Over The Air (Live)
05. How Long Is The Night (Original Intro)
06. A Sketch For Time’s Arrow
07. Panic On The Streets Of Health Care City
08. The Roar Of Far Off Black Jets
09. Paris In Flames (Demo)
10. Telegraph Avenue Kiss (Rich Costey Mix)
11. Wind-Up (Demo)
12. Music From Kill The House Lights [Demo]

Run Time: 42:10