ALKALINE TRIO – This Addiction
Okay…point blank: I have never listened to Alkaline Trio. For serious. Never. They’re just one of them bands that I’ve heard of for a while (12 years or so, I’m guessing?) and never went out of my way to stick ‘em in my ear. So I heard they were one of them there “pop-punk bands,” right? And a shit-ton of bands wanna sound like ‘em?
Well, this ain’t that bad. It’s poppy, catchy and there’s this repetitive mention of drugs or death or death from drugs throughout the whole album. That’s cool in my book. Real digestible “punk” — not too macho, not too pussified. Kinda happy-go-lucky with a hint of “sigh.” Hah! They’ve got a tune called “Dine, Dine My Darling” and it’s not some Weird Al-esque take on the Misfits song.
Thirteen tracks long and four acoustical versions of previous songs which is kinda cool to hear, but was it needed? Nice to have on there anyways.
I’m thinking if you love these dudes then you’re all over this. And if you never heard of them then this would make you want to take a quick gander at their back catalogue.
I dunno….I might.
(Epitaph Records, 2798 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90026)
I would suggest getting “Goddamnit”, “From Here to Infirmary” and their self-titled album comprised of early EP material for those new to the Trio. I didn’t dig their last two albums but from what I have heard of this album, it’s a lot closer to their older sound.
For a band that’s as well-known as the Alkaline Trio, it would have been better to get a review from someone who’s been listening to the Trio for a while. I remember when I had to review the live album of Good Riddance’s final concert and I never bothered to listen to them before. I think my review was a disaster and I’m sure it wasn’t appreciated by the fans.
definitely a good point, chris, though i also think that a fresh newcomer perspective on bands that’ve been around for a long while are good too. i haven’t listened to alkaline trio since 2002; i’ve long since written them off as a pile of shit but was intrigued and willing to give them another shot after reading craig’s review.
jackson, get an avatar. the public wants to see your pretty face.
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