Alkaline Trio

Editor's Review:

It’s hard for me to find fault in anything Alkaline Trio does. I’ve found something to like about each of their releases, and Agony and Irony is no different. The band’s usual “doom and gloom” demeanor is definitely more subdued on this album, but the songs are exactly what you would expect from the trio: catchy choruses, poppy punk, tight musicianship and great dual vocals.



The album starts off strong with “Calling All Skeletons,” a clap-filled track with great vocal melodies. The next six tracks are equally impressive, the highlights being “Help Me,” a tribute to Joy Division frontman Ian Curtis, “In Vein” and “I Found A Way,” a song that seems to be the missing link between Alkaline Trio and Matt Skiba’s solo project, Heavens.

The next five tracks are entirely forgettable. “Love. Love. Kiss. Kiss.” is quite possibly the worst song they have ever written. Sample lyric: “Love, love, love, kiss, kiss, blah, blah, blah!” Seriously. That being said, the first half of the album is some of their most solid work to date. Alas, half an album does not a whole album make. Plus, they were on The Hills recently. Dudes are blowing it hard. I can’t imagine they’ll capture any new fans with this album, and it’s hard to say if they’ll be able to retain much of their established fan base either.
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Record Label Epic Released July 2008

Tracks 1. Calling All Skeletons     2. Help Me     3. In Vein     Listen     4. Over And Out     5. I Found A Way     6. Live Young, Die Fast     7. Love, Love,Kiss,Kiss     8. Lost and Rendered     9. Ruin It     Listen     10. Into The Night

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