cbmartinez
07-11-2004, 11:11 AM
Artist: Alkaline Trio
Album: Good Mourning
Genre: Emo/Pop-Punk/Punk
Label: Vagrant
Matt Skiba- Guitar/Vocals
Daniel Andriano- Bass/Vocals
Derek Grant- Drums
Review:
I heard much about the Alkaline Trio from many of my friends. They have been around for about six years now and their name had popped up in many conversations I had about music. So when I was browsing at my local Borders and I came across a listening station where you could preview the new Alkaline Trio CD Good Mourning, I decided to give it a listen. I was amused by the clever CD title and when I played the first track, “This Could Be Love,” I was greeted by an eerie guitar line and booming bass. In came Matt Skiba’s scratchy vocals, whispering the dark vocals the Alkaline Trio are famous for. “I got a book of matches, I got a can of kerosene. I got some bad ideas, involving you and me.” Well, to say the least, the song had me hooked, after scanning the rest of CD, I decided to pick it up. After giving it a listen, I was very satisfied and the Alkaline Trio had definitely met my expectations.
The first track, “This Could Be Love,” is an eerie compilation of dark vocals and deep guitar and bass. The chorus gets a little mellower but still features some dark lyrics. “Step one, slit my throat, step two, play in my blood. Step three cover my in dirty sheets and run laughing out of the house. Step four, stop off at edgebrook creek and rinse your crimson hands. You took me hostage and made your demands. I couldn’t meet ‘em so you cut off my fingers, one by one!” A great album opener, the song is great introduction to the world of the Alkaline Trio. The next track, “We’ve Had Enough,” is a stab at the music industry, saying how all bands sound the same. An energetic song, it will have you jumping by the chorus, as Matt shouts, “I said we’ve had enough! Please turn that ****ing radio off! There’s nothin’ on the airwaves in the despair we feel!” This song is a bit more happy and fun then “This Could Be Love,” and was the first single off the album. The next song, “One Hundred Stories,” gives Dan Andriano a chance to show his vocal ability. His vocal pitch is lower than Matt’s but makes an excellent contrast and the combination of the high and low vocals is a huge factor in giving the Alkaline Trio their unique sound. The song starts out with a fun guitar riff then goes into a bass heavy verse. You’ll be singing along to the catchy bridge as Dan sings, “Dream a good one tonight!” “Continental” has a darker feel as Matt once again takes the vocal position. The chorus is catchy and the bass is thick as ever. “All on Black” is one of the darkest songs on the album, featuring a eerie guitar line, wicked bass line and dark vocals with some weird effects. One of the best songs on the album. “Emma” starts out with a couple guitar chords and a heavy bass line. Dan takes vocals on this one but the verse is reminiscent to some of the previous songs, but a good, catchy song nevertheless.
The next song, “Fatally Yours,” explodes immediately with a loud, fast guitar and interesting bass. The song keeps its fast pace and is one of the catchiest one the album. You’ll be jumping around by the time the chorus comes. I knew I was in for a fun ride when I saw the song title “Every Thug Needs a Lady.” Not only is it one of the funniest song titles I’ve seen, but one of the best songs I’ve ever heard. Filled with melodic vocals and pounding guitar, bass and vocals, “Every Thug Needs a Lady” is truly the shining moment of this album. The album keeps its momentum with “Blue Caroline” with is a fun, punk song with great vocals. Next up is the strangely titled “Donner Party (All Night)” which is a fast song in which Matt takes vocals again. An impressive bass line accompanies this song and the instruments working together makes this one of the best tracks on the album. “If We Never Go Inside” is an average song. The chorus will have you shaking your head, but nothing particularly special. The last song, “Blue In The Face,” is an all acoustic song and one of the most beautiful on the album. Matt serenades us with his soft vocals backed by the soft acoustic strumming. An excellent album ender.
This is the first and only Alkaline Trio I have and after my first listen, I was impressed. It was emo, but with a darker feel. The instruments were played well and I enjoyed the trade off of high/and low vocals from Matt and Dan. Most Alkaline Trio fans I talk to says this is the worst album yet, so the other albums must be pretty amazing. There’s nothing you haven’t heard on this album and the songs can tend to sound the same, but overall I think this is a good album that mixes fast, punk with dark lyrics and that the Alkaline Trio can still dish out great, fun songs.
The Good: Good lyrics, instruments played well, mix of tracks and vocals
The Bad: Nothing new, songs can sound the same
Score: 3.7 out of 5
-Chris Baranowski
Album: Good Mourning
Genre: Emo/Pop-Punk/Punk
Label: Vagrant
Matt Skiba- Guitar/Vocals
Daniel Andriano- Bass/Vocals
Derek Grant- Drums
Review:
I heard much about the Alkaline Trio from many of my friends. They have been around for about six years now and their name had popped up in many conversations I had about music. So when I was browsing at my local Borders and I came across a listening station where you could preview the new Alkaline Trio CD Good Mourning, I decided to give it a listen. I was amused by the clever CD title and when I played the first track, “This Could Be Love,” I was greeted by an eerie guitar line and booming bass. In came Matt Skiba’s scratchy vocals, whispering the dark vocals the Alkaline Trio are famous for. “I got a book of matches, I got a can of kerosene. I got some bad ideas, involving you and me.” Well, to say the least, the song had me hooked, after scanning the rest of CD, I decided to pick it up. After giving it a listen, I was very satisfied and the Alkaline Trio had definitely met my expectations.
The first track, “This Could Be Love,” is an eerie compilation of dark vocals and deep guitar and bass. The chorus gets a little mellower but still features some dark lyrics. “Step one, slit my throat, step two, play in my blood. Step three cover my in dirty sheets and run laughing out of the house. Step four, stop off at edgebrook creek and rinse your crimson hands. You took me hostage and made your demands. I couldn’t meet ‘em so you cut off my fingers, one by one!” A great album opener, the song is great introduction to the world of the Alkaline Trio. The next track, “We’ve Had Enough,” is a stab at the music industry, saying how all bands sound the same. An energetic song, it will have you jumping by the chorus, as Matt shouts, “I said we’ve had enough! Please turn that ****ing radio off! There’s nothin’ on the airwaves in the despair we feel!” This song is a bit more happy and fun then “This Could Be Love,” and was the first single off the album. The next song, “One Hundred Stories,” gives Dan Andriano a chance to show his vocal ability. His vocal pitch is lower than Matt’s but makes an excellent contrast and the combination of the high and low vocals is a huge factor in giving the Alkaline Trio their unique sound. The song starts out with a fun guitar riff then goes into a bass heavy verse. You’ll be singing along to the catchy bridge as Dan sings, “Dream a good one tonight!” “Continental” has a darker feel as Matt once again takes the vocal position. The chorus is catchy and the bass is thick as ever. “All on Black” is one of the darkest songs on the album, featuring a eerie guitar line, wicked bass line and dark vocals with some weird effects. One of the best songs on the album. “Emma” starts out with a couple guitar chords and a heavy bass line. Dan takes vocals on this one but the verse is reminiscent to some of the previous songs, but a good, catchy song nevertheless.
The next song, “Fatally Yours,” explodes immediately with a loud, fast guitar and interesting bass. The song keeps its fast pace and is one of the catchiest one the album. You’ll be jumping around by the time the chorus comes. I knew I was in for a fun ride when I saw the song title “Every Thug Needs a Lady.” Not only is it one of the funniest song titles I’ve seen, but one of the best songs I’ve ever heard. Filled with melodic vocals and pounding guitar, bass and vocals, “Every Thug Needs a Lady” is truly the shining moment of this album. The album keeps its momentum with “Blue Caroline” with is a fun, punk song with great vocals. Next up is the strangely titled “Donner Party (All Night)” which is a fast song in which Matt takes vocals again. An impressive bass line accompanies this song and the instruments working together makes this one of the best tracks on the album. “If We Never Go Inside” is an average song. The chorus will have you shaking your head, but nothing particularly special. The last song, “Blue In The Face,” is an all acoustic song and one of the most beautiful on the album. Matt serenades us with his soft vocals backed by the soft acoustic strumming. An excellent album ender.
This is the first and only Alkaline Trio I have and after my first listen, I was impressed. It was emo, but with a darker feel. The instruments were played well and I enjoyed the trade off of high/and low vocals from Matt and Dan. Most Alkaline Trio fans I talk to says this is the worst album yet, so the other albums must be pretty amazing. There’s nothing you haven’t heard on this album and the songs can tend to sound the same, but overall I think this is a good album that mixes fast, punk with dark lyrics and that the Alkaline Trio can still dish out great, fun songs.
The Good: Good lyrics, instruments played well, mix of tracks and vocals
The Bad: Nothing new, songs can sound the same
Score: 3.7 out of 5
-Chris Baranowski