"Armageddon! Let the light in! Before we say goodbye, give us something to believe in. Armageddon we're not begging, for too much I don't think. Need a goodbye kiss before we sink..."
The brand new release "From Here to Infirmary" from Chicago's latest and greatest, Alkaline Trio, picks up right where they left off with "Maybe I'll Catch Fire". The Trio impressed many with its first two full-length releases on Asian Man Records, but following a national tour with veteran rockers "Face to Face" they've gained a lot of major exposure and hit the big-time, landing a slot on the Vagrant Records roster.
Those who are familiar with Alkaline Trio know how the passionate vocal styling of both Matt Skiba and Dan Andriano, each in their own unique way, grab you and drag you through their alcohol induced pleasure and pain. The lyrical content of the new album will not ease any concerns you may have had for their livers, but you still get the feeling that they are letting you in on their deepest and darkest thoughts.
They have a way of painting a vivid, and sometimes morbid picture in your head that can't be done by too many other artists these days. Musically this album is very strong. There isn't much that could have been done better. They seem to be sticking with a more melodic feel than they may have had on previous releases. No one instrument dominates this record, but all three give a spectacular performance. The guitar and bass parts are brawny and thick, complimenting the intricate and solid drumming from former Smoking Popes drummer, Mike Felumlee.
It's difficult to draw highlights from the album, because the whole package knocks the wind out of you. I would pinpoint the songs "Trucks and Trains", "Armageddon" and "I'm Dying Tomorrow" as the "hit singles" of the record as they are the most memorable to me, though each listener will probably have his or her own opinion.
Alkaline Trio is still climbing to bigger and better things, including an upcoming tour with the most widely known pop-punk band of late, Blink-182. Hopefully the new album is just the tip of the fermented iceberg for Alkaline Trio. Whether you are a fan of the band already or not, I encourage you to pick up "From Here to Infirmary".
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Other coverage for this album
Decapolis 2001Reviewed by Tom BastianThe Alkaline Trio is one of those bands that I fell in love with the minute I first heard them. It was back in my days in college radio when Asian Man Records sent our radio station a copy of the first Alkaline Trio full length. I remember playing the heck out of that CD. Out of all the other "punk rock" bands out at the time the Alkaline Trio had something that helped them stand apart from the…Decapolis 2001Reviewed by ConradAlkaline Trio is most everything a rock band should be - catchy, melodic and full out rock. In their previous releases, "I Lied My Face Off" (EP) and "Maybe I'll Catch Fire" many people had a hard time classifying them because they had some punk in them but they were very rock. I don't think on this album people will have that hard of a time putting them in the punk category. Of course they had…Similar sounding releases
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1999I Lied My Face Off
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