Review: Alkaline Trio’s “This Addiction”

By Alyssa Herter
Western Herald

Melancholy, dark, and macabre – Alkaline Trio is widely known for their brooding musical history, however, the band’s latest release, “This Addiction,” might be better described as “hopeful.”

Though lyrics on most tracks remain pretty hyper-depressive, the album is fresh with lively tempos and up-beat melodies. It escapes falling into an “emo” realm, while staying true to the introspective nature of Alkaline Trio music.

The band has experimented stylistically, taking a somewhat disappointing pop turn on 2008’s “Agony and Irony.”

But the title track of “This Addiction” sets the mood for the rest of the album, leaving little room for argument that the band is still true to their roots. Punk.

On the track “Lead Poisoning,” the band’s grungy punk takes a ska turn with an accelerated tempo and trumpets. The song’s dance-inducing beat and flair almost make the listener feel happy – until the lyrics register.

“I swore I’d be there ‘til the end/ You’re better off, your bitterness/ I climbed out lifeless to the edge/ I waved goodbye and lept,” yet even as the singer laments a failed relationship, the music sets an upbeat mood. This ironic combination of tone and lyrics permeates most of the album.

“This American Scream” takes a poetic stab at the exhaustion of American wars for the sake of a consumerist colloquialism: “They tied that yellow ribbon ‘round the oak tree/ And they’ve worn out all the prayer in their hearts/ All along though they were rooting for the home team/ As they’re sent into the game and torn apart.”

Strategically placed at the halfway point of the album, “Off the Map” takes a positive turn: “See I’m so far off the map the sun is shining/ while its raining and I’m draped in silver lining.” With a rhythm that seems to be speeding the listener along on a hopeful upturn, this might just win sing-along, feel good punk song of the year.

The album is peppered with moodiness, and talk of rocky relationships, but the final track of the album, simply titled “Fine,” wraps with forward thinking: “And I wouldn’t trade my hand/ For all the aces in the deck. Cause I’m fine, I’m fine.”

Possibly the purest punk album released in the past couple of years, “This Addiction” is worthy of a hearty head bang.

Short URL: http://www.westernherald.com/?p=15239

Posted by heraldstaff on Feb 25 2010. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

http://HeraldStaff