From the crazy picture on the back of the sleeve of this CD, you would be forgiven for thinking that Alkaline Trio are a kind of scary goth band or something. All that fierce scowling can really put you off your dinner let me tell ya. But this CD is far from extreme black metal. But it’s not a barrel of laughs either…
Anyone who is a regular Punktastic reader will know that I salivate at every opportunity I get when I listen to Alkaline Trio. They are quite possibly the best punk band out there at the moment that don’t have the name The Ataris. The single ‘Stupid Kid’ has catapulted Alk3 straight into the forefront of the ‘nu-punk’ scene and quite rightly so. But what many mini punks do not know, is that their latest release ISN’T their debut CD. In fact, it is arguably the band’s worst release.
Anyway, let’s cut to the chase. BUY THIS CD. It’s that simple. Alkaline Trio are one of the very few bands in the Universe today that don’t do bad songs. At least I’ve never heard one that’s bad, and I own four albums. Powerful vocals over raw guitars, mixing catchy melodies with gritty pop-punk is the order of the day here.
‘Cringe’ rocks like a bastard. Weird lyrically, but that’s half of their appeal. ‘Cop’ starts off with the wailing of a police siren, and a slightly irritating stop-start intro. But it rocks hard and full-on. ‘San Francisco’ brings a little respite to proceedings by slowing the pace a bit. I’m not sure why, but it spookily sounds like Eve6. But don’t hold it against them…
‘Nose Over Tail’ and its “cracked my head open over your kitchen floor/to prove that I have brains” line basically sums up Alk3. Bizarre, yet fucking brilliant. Superlatives really don’t do this band justice. ‘As You Were’ sounds a bit like ‘Private Eye’ off the new CD, but doesn’t venture into rip-off territory. And ‘Enjoy Your Day’ is a beautifully stripped down song that shows the bands real talent. Here are musicians that can really play. They don’t make fashion statements by wearing skateboard t-shirts, or have crazy tattoos and spiky hair. This lot rawk.
‘My Little Needle’ has a really dirty intro riff, before mellowing with some superb bittersweet vocals. And ‘Message From kathleen’ is brutally honest and heartfelt. It borders on emo territory, but is still an absolute standout. “I need you more than I could need someone.” And boy, don’t you believe him.
In plain and simple English, if you haven’t yet purchased an Alkaline Trio CD, what have you been doing? BUY, BUY, BUY!!!
Paul Savage