Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Andriano masterpiece, 20 Aug 2008
Having been a fan of the Trio for the past 7 years, I have followed their steady change of direction from the raw and explosive sounds of "Goddamnit" to the smoother and polished finish of "Crimson" with increasing admiration and eagerly anticipated the release of new material. It was quite apparent that this album was never going to return to the early days of crashing drums and jackhammer guitars, but every Trio album has it's own highlights and this one is no exception. On the previous records, it's usually been a 50/50 mix of Skiba/Andriano songs which have been the main contenders, but this album sees a change in direction in favour of Andriano. Several of the Skiba songs are almost halfhearted and tired sounding, and I wonder if Matt Skiba is now writing the kind of songs he expects us to listen to rather than what he actually feels he wants to write about. I can't help but think he's holding something back in his songwriting, with the exceptions being the wonderful opener "Calling all Skeletons" ,and "I Found Away". Dan Andriano's songs on the other hand are exceptional, with the 4 of them contributing much more than Skiba's 7. "In Vein" is the album's masterpiece, with Andriano matching clever lyrics with quirky, haunting and edgy music which makes full use of Derek Grant's understated drumming style. The emotional depth of Andriano's songs on this album are comparable to classics such as "Message from Kathlene" ,"Crawl" and "Maybe I'll Catch Fire", revealing so much of himself in each song that it's hard not to class Skiba's songs as runners up in every category. "Love Love Kiss Kiss" strikes a chord for anyone who's ever been single for any length of time, with Andriano spitting out the words of the chorus with such venom that you can't help but smile in sympathy . With these songs making such an impact, this album comes across as something of a rollercoaster, but with mostly highs and the occasional low, it's still one enjoyable ride that keeps enticing you to come back for more... enjoy!
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Don't listen to the other guy. . . ., 29 Jun 2008
I haven't actually got this album as yet but as the guys have been good enough to put the whole album on their myspace page for folks to listen to, whenever I have been on my laptop over the past few days, I've logged onto their page first so I could listen to it whilst doing what I had to do.
I have to say, I completely disagree with the other reiview that is up here at the moment, I've listened to the album about 9 times and I love it. I've been a Trio fan for about 6 years now and yes, this album is going in a different direction to previous albums - but what can you expect?? The guys are now in their 30's, Matt and Dan got married, Dan and his wife have a baby, they aren't the angry 20 somethings that we first heard 10 years ago. They are in happier places now - so obviously their sound is going to change. Songwriters mature, go in different directions and try new things, people should just deal with it instead of slating the guys for going in a new direction.
The opener "Calling All Skeletons" is a fantastic tune, which I look forward to hearing them do live. "In Vein" is also one which will get everyone jumping up and down and getting sweaty at their live gigs! On the whole, no the album is not another "Goddamnit" - but for me, I think it's an excellent return for the boys and I think any fan who accepts that Matt and Dan have matured as artists will love it too.
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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
More of the same dark punk rock..., 1 Jul 2008
The death bells ring out with the release of Alkaline Trio's sixth album, their first for V2/Cooperative, produced by Josh Abraham, who has twiddled knobs for the likes of Linkin Park, Slayer and 30 Seconds To Mars. Some may wonder whether the band would stick to the same formula, or perhaps they might decide to sing happy and joyful songs whilst expressing their love of Jesus...er, no, don't worry folks, Matt Skiba hasn't crossed back over from the darkside, and the band still know how to pen a good catchy Punk/Rock song about death, booze, drugs and romance amongst other things...
First song, `Calling All Skeletons' is classic Alkaline Trio and could've come straight from previous album, `Crimson', which gives you a comforting feeling that things won't be too different from previous albums, as Matt, Dan and Derek don't try and be experimental, and God forbid, arty. Following on we have first single, `Help Me' that first appeared on the band's MySpace page generating 70k plays in a single day. Again we have the formula of large and fierce guitar riffs that rise like the Devil, as Matt sings out, "Help me, help me, won't you // Sing me, sing me, one last song // Help me, help me // Somebody help me // Save me from myself..." Good stuff.
We then have Dan's slightly deeper vocals on, `In Vein' that has almost Ska guitars in the verse, and in the background we have the underrated drumming from Derek Grant, who perfectly makes up the missing technical musical parts that may lack with both Dan and Matt taking turns in singing again throughout the album. This also gives Alkaline Trio that distinctive sound. After this we have my favourite song from the album that showcases everything that is good about Matt's song writing. Starting off with thick bass lines and gentle guitars, the vocals dominate in this mid-tempo song whereby the lyrics are prominent and deliciously morbid, telling tales of the last moments of a few people's lives like, "Over and out, she said // From a hospital bed // For what it's worth, it doesn't hurt // Don't cry // Over and out, he said // With a 45 to his head // The war has taken, everything from me // It's all, I see..."
There are a number of songs that as you would expect border on anthems and `I Found Away' is certainly one of them, whilst Mr Andriano sings out loud whilst asking us, "Do You Wanna Know?" in the song of the same name, and then in the totally Punk-tastic, `Ruin It' between the big head-nodding riffs. `Live Young, Die Fast' is a tough-plod of a song, dark and moody, whilst the guitars are almost melodic on, `Love Love, Kiss Kiss' as Dan sings, "Take a look and see // I painted you a picture // It's black and white // except the blood's a little richer...". Things speed up for the Rocking, `Lost And Rendered' before the last song, `Into The Night' brings down the black veil on the album in a song that is another gem of dark Punk Rock.
Each of the Alkaline Trio albums have evolved and although the first couple were more Punk than the later albums, `Good Mourning' broke them more into the mainstream, whilst `Crimson' kept things hot, and although clichéd, `Agony And Irony' follows on nicely. It's almost like mixing `Crimson' with Matt Skiba's side project Heavens, but taking away any synthesisers and adding extra guitars and thick bass lines. All in all this is a great album for fans of the band, but those who have been unsure of the band previously will still remain inconclusive in their feelings towards them. This is more of the same, and that's pretty good for me...
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