Alkaline Trio From Here to Infirmary

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Take Lots With Alcohol

Alkaline Trio was formed in 1996 by ex-Jerkwater drummer Matt Skiba, who fronts the band and plays guitar, former 88 Finger Louie drummer Glenn Porter, and bass player Rob Doran. The three started making a name for themselves throughout the Midwest with the emotionally charged, angst-ridden pop/punk before releasing their debut EP Sundials the following year on Johann's Face Records. Their second EP, For Your Lungs Only, was released in 1998 with Tuesday, and former Slapstick, bassist Dan Andriano replacing Doran on bass and vocals. Later in 1998 while Skiba and Porter worked full time as bike messengers, they recorded and released their first full length Goddamnit on Asianman Records. The record was successful with those who can relate to their stories of heartbreak, angst, anti-cop rants and the companionship found in drowning ones sorrows with beer. The band was quickly tagged as the next great "emo" band which of course the band detested. The band released another EP, I Lied My Face Off, before releasing their second full length album Maybe I'll Catch Fire. The album was darker lyrically but focused on more of the same subjects like drinking away the pain and maligned relationships, however the band was also clever enough to not take themselves too seriously. Shortly after the release Porter left the band and was replaced by ex-Smoking Popes drummer Mike Felumlee. The band then released a self-titled compilation that featured their two previous EP's, singles, and other various songs. The band then left Asianman Records for Vagrant Records. Which brings us to their third full-length album and Vagrant debut From Here To Infirmary which will be out April 3.

The album kicks off with the Skiba penned "Private Eye" a song that assures you that indeed the band has not "sold out" or changed drastically with the move up to Vagrant records. Sure at times it sounds a lot like a majority off all their songs with the chord changes in the same places, and covering similar ground that the previous records did, but it's good stuff. Next up is the buzzing guitars of "Mr. Chainsaw" a hard hitting track about growing up and giving in or at least that's what Skiba tells you it's about in the last verse of the track.

Andriano steps up to the mic for "Take Lots With Alcohol." The song details being sick and tired of ones self with a chorus of "Just give me medicine/prescribe me anything/just knock me out and walk me to the door/ I have no desire to see through my own eyes anymore" probably one of my favorite tracks on the album.

On "Stupid Kid" Skiba takes the vocals back over telling the tale of a love affair that has run it's course and died "remember when I said I love you/Well forget it I take it back/I was just a stupid kid back then/ I take back every word that I said" the song is quick, short and catchy.

"Another Innocent Kid" features Andriano on vocals again, a mid-tempo track reminiscent of "You've Got So Far To Go" from Maybe I'll Catch Fire. The Skiba sung "Steamer Trunk" slips in next and is another quick and catchy song that you barley get to sing along to before it's over. The song details another relationship that has run it's course this time with Skiba lamenting about how much his companion has changed over time "I'm trying to figure out/what your all about these days/ I don't have much to say to you"

Skiba again handles the vocals for "Your Dead" the track that kicks off the second half of the album. The track is slower mid-tempo track a al "San Francisco" from their debut Goddamnit. It even centers on the same subject as "San Francisco" which is about isolation and has my comical line "cause if assholes could fly/this place would be busier than O'Hare" classic. The thrashing drums introduce "Armageddon" probably one of the best songs on the album. It's just quick, heartfelt emotional music with screamed out vocals which is were Alkaline Trio are at there best.

"I'm Dying Tomorrow" finds Andriano returning to the mic to sing about just that. Andriano looking back at life and asks himself if he has done all the things that he should have or wanted to do and searching for some sort of validation "I'm dying tomorrow/Did I do it right?"

"Bloodied Up" finds Skiba accusing his significant other about cheating and other various miss-deeds before he concedes that he hasn't exactly been the best boyfriend someone could ask for "You have every right to be/disappointed with me/ join the club I signed up along time ago/and I know how you feel" again another top notch piece of punk/pop with tons of emotion sprinkled through out it. "Trucks and Trains" slinky guitar intro slithers in and before Skiba's

The Andriano penned "Crawl" wraps up the album. The mid-tempo track clocks in at around four and half minutes the longest on the album. The song starts off slow with a driving bassline as Andriano sings before, slamming into crunchy guitars as Andriano screams the chorus before slowing back down for the verses. Definite one of the top songs on the album and a great choice to close it out.

Overall another classic punk record, that you can sit and drink to after your girlfriend has dumped you, from the Trio. This album coupled with the bands opening slot on Blink 182's next tour could very well sling shot the band into the mainstream much to the chagrin of the Trio's fan base. When it comes out next Tuesday you should be waiting at Sam Goody or Sound Shop to buy it as soon as you can even if you do have to pay 17.99 for it.


	Steamer Trunk \| home stuff about me \| album reviews \| PS2 game reviews \| pictures \| web watch \| getting in touch Rilo Kiley - Take Offs and Landings \| Slipknot - Iowa \| Ozma - Rock and Roll Part Three \| Ben Folds - Rockin' the Suburbs \| Lit - Atomic \| Garbage - Beautifulgarbage \| The Strokes - Is This It \| Live - V \| Tori Amos - Strange Little Girls \| Jimmy Eat World - Bleed American \| Blink 182 - Take Off Your Pants and Jacket \| Weezer - The Green Album \| Alkaline Trio From Here to Infirmary \| Alkaline Trio - Hell Yes \| American Hi-Fi \| Our Lady Peace - Spiritual Machines \| Aerosmith - Just Push Play \| Dave Matthews Band - Everyday \| Blue Meanies - Post Wave \| Weston - The Massed Albert Sounds \| U2 - All That You Cant Leave Behind \| Green Day - Warning \| Offspring - Conspiracy of One \| Everclear - Songs from an American Movie Vol. 2 \| Radiohead - Kid A \| Limp Bizkit - Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water \| Smashing Pumkins - Machina II \| Superdrag - In The Valley Of Dying Stars \| Voodoo Music Festival Alkaline Trio From Here to Infirmary Take Lots With Alcohol Alkaline Trio was formed in 1996 by ex-Jerkwater drummer Matt Skiba, who fronts the band and plays guitar, former 88 Finger Louie drummer Glenn Porter, and bass player Rob Doran. The three started making a name for themselves throughout the Midwest with the emotionally charged, angst-ridden pop/punk before releasing their debut EP Sundials the following year on Johann's Face Records. Their second EP, For Your Lungs Only, was released in 1998 with Tuesday, and former Slapstick, bassist Dan Andriano replacing Doran on bass and vocals. Later in 1998 while Skiba and Porter worked full time as bike messengers, they recorded and released their first full length Goddamnit on Asianman Records. The record was successful with those who can relate to their stories of heartbreak, angst, anti-cop rants and the companionship found in drowning ones sorrows with beer. The band was quickly tagged as the next great "emo" band which of course the band detested. The band released another EP, I Lied My Face Off, before releasing their second full length album Maybe I'll Catch Fire. The album was darker lyrically but focused on more of the same subjects like drinking away the pain and maligned relationships, however the band was also clever enough to not take themselves too seriously. Shortly after the release Porter left the band and was replaced by ex-Smoking Popes drummer Mike Felumlee. The band then released a self-titled compilation that featured their two previous EP's, singles, and other various songs. The band then left Asianman Records for Vagrant Records. Which brings us to their third full-length album and Vagrant debut From Here To Infirmary which will be out April 3. The album kicks off with the Skiba penned "Private Eye" a song that assures you that indeed the band has not "sold out" or changed drastically with the move up to Vagrant records. Sure at times it sounds a lot like a majority off all their songs with the chord changes in the same places, and covering similar ground that the previous records did, but it's good stuff. Next up is the buzzing guitars of "Mr. Chainsaw" a hard hitting track about growing up and giving in or at least that's what Skiba tells you it's about in the last verse of the track. Andriano steps up to the mic for "Take Lots With Alcohol." The song details being sick and tired of ones self with a chorus of "Just give me medicine/prescribe me anything/just knock me out and walk me to the door/ I have no desire to see through my own eyes anymore" probably one of my favorite tracks on the album. On "Stupid Kid" Skiba takes the vocals back over telling the tale of a love affair that has run it's course and died "remember when I said I love you/Well forget it I take it back/I was just a stupid kid back then/ I take back every word that I said" the song is quick, short and catchy. "Another Innocent Kid" features Andriano on vocals again, a mid-tempo track reminiscent of "You've Got So Far To Go" from Maybe I'll Catch Fire. The Skiba sung "Steamer Trunk" slips in next and is another quick and catchy song that you barley get to sing along to before it's over. The song details another relationship that has run it's course this time with Skiba lamenting about how much his companion has changed over time "I'm trying to figure out/what your all about these days/ I don't have much to say to you" Skiba again handles the vocals for "Your Dead" the track that kicks off the second half of the album. The track is slower mid-tempo track a al "San Francisco" from their debut Goddamnit. It even centers on the same subject as "San Francisco" which is about isolation and has my comical line "cause if assholes could fly/this place would be busier than O'Hare" classic. The thrashing drums introduce "Armageddon" probably one of the best songs on the album. It's just quick, heartfelt emotional music with screamed out vocals which is were Alkaline Trio are at there best. "I'm Dying Tomorrow" finds Andriano returning to the mic to sing about just that. Andriano looking back at life and asks himself if he has done all the things that he should have or wanted to do and searching for some sort of validation "I'm dying tomorrow/Did I do it right?" "Bloodied Up" finds Skiba accusing his significant other about cheating and other various miss-deeds before he concedes that he hasn't exactly been the best boyfriend someone could ask for "You have every right to be/disappointed with me/ join the club I signed up along time ago/and I know how you feel" again another top notch piece of punk/pop with tons of emotion sprinkled through out it. "Trucks and Trains" slinky guitar intro slithers in and before Skiba's The Andriano penned "Crawl" wraps up the album. The mid-tempo track clocks in at around four and half minutes the longest on the album. The song starts off slow with a driving bassline as Andriano sings before, slamming into crunchy guitars as Andriano screams the chorus before slowing back down for the verses. Definite one of the top songs on the album and a great choice to close it out. Overall another classic punk record, that you can sit and drink to after your girlfriend has dumped you, from the Trio. This album coupled with the bands opening slot on Blink 182's next tour could very well sling shot the band into the mainstream much to the chagrin of the Trio's fan base. When it comes out next Tuesday you should be waiting at Sam Goody or Sound Shop to buy it as soon as you can even if you do have to pay 17.99 for it.