SoCal’s post-hardcore rockers Thrice are gearing up for the release of their 7th studio album, Major/Minor, on September 20th. The record follows 2009’s Beggars, an effort that found the band settling into a middle ground amidst the drastic changes between their more recent releases. Major/Minor looks to continue down that path, as lead singer Dustin Kensrue says, “It’s definitely the most natural progression from record to record that we’ve had in a while. This kind of makes sense coming out of Beggars, but it’s definitely a different record.”

Our first taste of that “natural progression” comes in the form of “Yellow Belly”. The track enters with expectantly thrashing, punching guitars, with Kensrue belting, “You were built for blessing / but you only make them bleed.” Yet after a truly rocking chorus, it finds a melodic center about a minute and a half in, with Kensrue now singing, “Hands were made to comfort / but they only conjure fear.” The refrain of “you don’t care” is ever-present, but the whole package is evident of a band that does care, and one that aptly crafts biting hardcore songs just silvery enough to sing along to. You can listen to and/or download the track below.

Thrice has also announced a fall tour to support Major/Minor. Opening ten days after the album’s release in Las Vegas, the tour sees the band trekking through 35 U.S. and Canadian dates before ending on 11/11/11 in San Diego. Tickets go on sale starting August 1st at 12 p.m. EDT.

Thrice 2011 Tour Dates:
09/30 – Las Vegas, NV @ Hard Rock Cafe
10/01 – Tempe, AZ @ The Marquee
10/03 – Dallas, TX @ The Door
10/04 – Austin, TX @ Emo’s
10/05 – Houston, TX @ House Of Blues
10/07 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ Revolution
10/08 – Orlando, FL @ Beacham Theater
10/09 – Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade
10/11 – Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle
10/12 – Richmond, VA @ The National
10/13 – Philadelphia, PA @ Electric Factory
10/14 – Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom
10/15 – Towson, MD @ The Recher Theatre
10/16 – New York City, NY @ Irving Plaza
10/18 – Boston, MA @ Royale Night Club
10/19 – Montreal, QC @ Club Soda
10/20 – Toronto, ON @ Phoenix Concert Theatre
10/21 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Club Zoo
10/22 – Covington, KY @ Mad Hatter Club
10/23 – Columbus, OH @ Newport Music Hall
10/25 – Grand Rapids, MI @ The Intersection
10/26 – Detroit, MI @ St. Andrews Hall
10/27 – Chicago, IL @ Metro
10/28 – Sauget, IL @ Pop’s
10/29 – Lawrence, KS @ Granada
10/30 – Denver, CO @ Summit Music Hall
11/01 – Salt Lake City, UT @ TBA
11/03 – Seattle, WA @ The Showbox
11/04 – Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom
11/05 – San Francisco, CA @ The Regency Ballroom
11/06 – Sacramento, CA @ Ace Of Spades
11/08 – Los Angeles, CA @ Mayan Theatre
11/09 – Anaheim, CA @ House Of Blues
11/10 – Anaheim, CA @ House Of Blues
11/11 – San Diego, CA @ House Of Blues