Alkaline Trio - Good Mourning

I'm not a morning person but...

So I need to start off by admitting that I'm not a long-time fan of the band. In fact the thing I remember about them is that I really wanted them to get off the stage so NoFX could start playing, but that was before I picked up "Crimson." Like many other "successful" bands of similar punk/popunk styles, Alkaline Trio has changed their style a bit over the past decade or so. That has seemingly (from the other reviews posted) caused a lot of disappointment to their long-time fans. I enjoy this album quite a bit. It's catchy, dark and interesting for the most part. The opener starts us off with a blissful, evil, hook-filled delight that pretty much continues throughout the album. I didn't like the 'hit' song from this album, #2. After listening to some of their old stuff I can't understand why the long-time fans are receiving this one so poorly. Sure the production is much better but I never had a problem with music that sounds good. Maybe the average bpm is down by like 5% or something. Whatever. If you like "Crimson" I bet you will like this almost as much. If you're a whiny long-time fan who thinks they've sold out or stopped trying...well I guess that sucks for you. I guess the latest Strung Out and A.F.I. records aren't my favorites, but then again you can only have one favorite. To you I would recommend being more open-minded. I'm just sick of people not liking a band for doing something different. November 21, 2007

Possibly Their Worst

I haven't heard Maybe I'll Catch Fire in its entirety yet but I have their other stuff and this may be my least favorite album from a band that I really love. It's not terrible, it's just not great. A few awesome songs, a few good ones, and a few that I really tend to skip most of the time (which is rare with their other albums IMHO). April 7, 2007

A spooky (funny) good time!!!

Alkaline Trio is what I consider a fun band. Their lyrics are strange but in a funny/serious way if that makes any sense. Their riffs are catchy and will make you move in your seat and they just give the impression that they must be a great live act. Once I heard their single `We've Had Enough' I was just sucked in. The opening track `This Could Be Love' starts us off on a good note and gets us ready and willing to continue the musical experience. The best track here by far is `We've Had Enough'...ironically I just can't get enough of that song! `All on Black' is also a great track, one of the better ones. `Every Thug Needs a Lady' is also a highlight. It's everything that makes this band so great, it's catchy and smart but it could have been a bit better...I mean with a name like that they could have went anywhere. Loved `Donner Party', just a great all around song, and their closing track `Blue in the Face' is a nice detour giving us an acoustic track that's a brilliant addition and makes me want to listen to this album one more time. January 26, 2007

give it time

when i first got this cd, i already had from here to infirmiry and the hot water music split, so i was familiar with them.

at first i only liked 3 or 4 songs on the album. but now, 2 years later, i love every song and i never skip a track. give this cd time to sink in. i DONT recomend getting this cd first.

order of AT albums you should buy if you want to get into them:

1. crimson (its the most appealing to all parties)
2. from here to infirmiry (armaggedon, private eye, and stupid kid were the first songs i liked by them)
3. good mourning (once you have the previously stated 2, you can appreciate and enjoy this album more)
4. self titled (this isnt an album, but it lets you get a feel for their earlier stuff before buying MICF and GD)
5. mayble ill catch fire (this album is totally different from the next albums they would release. this is probably their worst album, but i still love it.)
6. goddamnit (this is a classic. if you learn to like MICF, you'll be obsessed with this one)

this is just a recomendation, whatever you decide, you cant go wrong with alkaline trio.

back to the album

1.this could be love- 9/10 - your typical alkaline trio formula. dark verse, catchy a bit more happy sounding chorus. this song has some sick lyrics though, consider yourself warned.

2. we've had enough - 9/10 - an instant favorite. upbeat but dark verse, sing-a-long chorus. this song is sort of the anthem of the cd

3. 100 stories - 8/10 - this song is one of those songs that just takes time to like. i LOVE it now, but again, it took me a while to get used to it. this song is sung by Dan, not Matt

4. continental - 10/10 - this could easily be my favorite song on the album. beautiful guitar parts, genius melodies yet so simple.

5. all on black - 10/10 - this is another stand-out track on the album and one you will like almost immediately. dark verse, dark chorus, very satanic lyrics. this song probably has the most genius bridge ive ever heard in my life

6. emma - 8/10 - this is a song i just recently started liking, i dont understand why i skipped over it at first. the chorus is awesome. sung by dan

7. fatally yours - 7/10 - this is another song i just recently started liking. this song has more punk roots and shows a bit more of alkaline trio's old stuff. i love this song, i just gave it a 7 because i know it was my least favorite song on the album at first.

8. every thug needs a lady - 8/10 - this is another song sung by Dan. this was one of my favorite songs when i first bought the album. this one is a bit more melodic and radio friendly

9. blue carolina - 7/10 - another sung by Dan. this song is overrated. it is a good song, but there are so many claims that this is the greatest alkaline trio song ever. far from the truth. this one is a pretty average track

10. donnes party (all night) - 7/10 - this song is good, but nothing compared to the other material this cd has to offer. nothing special

11. if we never go inside - 8/10 - better than the last couple songs but still not the best song on the cd. this one is a bit more happy sounding especially on the chorus. sung by Dan.

12. blue in the face - 9/10 - this song is acoustic. i love this song so much now, but i didnt think it was that great at first. the last verse at the end of the song is one of my favorite parts of the album. its a perfect way to end the cd June 18, 2006

Best of all I've heard from them so far

I actually started my experience with Alkaline Trio with this CD a few years ago, so maybe it's just that I've listened to it the most, but of the three I have so far (I also have Crimson, Maybe I'll Catch Fire...and I'm waiting for Goddammit! to come in), this CD is my favorite.

Every song on this CD is great, and catchy-- a great blend of hard driving rock, excellent vocals and harmony, and scathing lyrics (so not something you necessarily want to listen to with your young kids along).

From listening to their earlier work, too, it is obvious how far these guys have come in tightening and refining their sound. It is definitely formulatic, typical Alkaline Trio-- but one of those things-- if you like one song, you will most likely like them all. And after few listens, each song's distinct nuances will start to separate to your ear and you will determine your favorites amongst them all.

And for those who think the Alkaline Trio has "sold out" or commercialized their sound, you gotta get over that. When I was a teenager, I felt the same way about my favorite "small" band then-- U2-- and stubbornly refused to let myself like their "popular" music for many years before I grew up and finally realized what I was missing. Bands grow and evolve, stay stagnant, or fade into oblivion. Just because they get "popular," or "discovered" by the rest of the world, doesn't mean they will necessarily get any worse. I don't think Alkaline Trio are in danger of that-- their sound follows the same course that will appeal to certain listeners who appreciate and like the genre-- but I do have to say they have become more listenable throughout the years.

Good Mourning is a great CD, and if you only own one Alkaline Trio CD make it this one. July 23, 2005

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