The title track’s video got my attention because of the aesthetics reminding me of Sum 41 or Blink's 2000 era videos. Caballero and Chris Cole (also in Cigar’s Legacy of the 7 Plies if you’re into his potential acting career) are in there with other skaters I probably didn't recognize, the empty pool and that Pink Motel sign but most of all, that not quite neon green guitar just jumped to my eyeballs. The song grows on you but really I got excited for this album release when I heard the second single Bad Time.
The hook and well crafted lyrics was what I expect from Skiba/Andriano and he doesn’t disappoint. There is so much I want to say not only about this song but about the band and this new album.
The lead intro to Bad Time leaves you hanging, wondering how you “get in” to the song and then the guitar is just heavy in a chopped up rhythm, filled by this airy rolling drums by none other than Atom Willard. I don’t want to take anything away from previous drummer Derek but Atom seems to be a great fit and my biased appreciation for him in particular makes this a level up + for the band.
Versions of you was the 3 song available on Spotify and upon first listen I thought hmmm that’s a weird song, it didn’t flow as well as the other two, in my head at least but when I hear it in the context of the album it’s already more familiar and a feel like the placement of this track brings it up in quality but definitely not a straight up catchy song, you gotta work through it and that makes me happy it’s like fun homework if that’s a thing… tsss nerd!
The guitar riff at the beginning of Scars is something unusual for the Trio but blend that in with Atom's playing and this comes close to some Against Me type rhythm. "Never once been cut, but I see scars" is a nice visual reminder of the song's title and the musical build up through this song is slow but noticeable. The final touch is the last low end piano chord which already gives the tone to the next song and adds an element of continuity in the albums flow.
Break is OLD SCHOOOOL! Creepy, raunchy and catchy… this is Alkaline Trio, reminds of This could be love or the intro to We've Had Enough. Beautiful yet disturbing. I very much enjoy the variety and versatility Alkaline has been adding to their repertoire over the year but I would also have a second playlist with all the songs that sound like this one. To me this is Alkaline Trio at it's core.
Shake with me brings back the Bad Times riff and makes me want to diligently go through the lyrics and see if I can make up any argument for a concept album.
Blood Hair and Eyeballs
The intro drums and bass just lock in tight and I love how Dan’s sound is just omnipresent, listen to any Trio album, I would argue that’s a signature sound and I’m not even going into discussing his vocal style just check out his solo stuff. The zombie video for this song is also dope, Green Day also just put out one for The American Dream is Killing Me so... are zombies a thing again? Should I catch up on the Walking Dead?
Teenage Heart
Matt mentioned this was the first song they wrote for the album in 15 minutes, which to me is insane considering the layers in this song!
This echoed dissonant guitar sound is giving me shivers and the vocal melody is delivered perfectly in the verses where Skiba draws these long eery low-end sentences and ends with some quick deliveries and then Dan comes in the chorus and blends with the Skiba screams until the end of the song and complementary bass diddle to end this album and auto go back to the beginning because now Hot For Preacher starts and I’m not stopping it. I need a clean second listen and I can add more to this piece, I can barely write as fast as my thoughts on this.
It's the kind of album that makes you want to go and get some more Alkaline Trio and dig up old gems or song’s you might’ve missed. I often go back to setlist.fm and check out old tours and which songs the band picked to play at that time when they released older records.
2nd and 3rd Spins
I first had the impression that Shake with Me was an uplifting song as it's upbeat and sort of pop-ish but I totally miss understood the "shake" for a "let's shake our butts and dance" but obviously this being an Alkaline Trio song this takes a dark turn when you read "I'm only terrified when you're letting go, so shake (from terror) with me now".
In Break, listen how the bass drum from Atom seems to be pulling every one forward like he's bringing everyone to play just a little faster.
Even if they added a second guitarist on tour I wouldn’t be pissed, I bought tickets 2 days before this album even came out. I saw them live in Montreal, I think they had just release My Shame is True (great album). They opened on the main stage for Pennywise followed by Face to Face and I remember being impressed how they managed to get as close to the album sound as possible with only three of them on stage. I just desperately want to see them with Atom live.
Skiba levels up from being in Blink, this is one thing I had in mind the whole time this album was playing, the clean sound and the crafted lyrics (not that Skiba wasn't good before and improvement is a positive thing). Also there are a handful of bands which have these singing duos that pair perfectly, the example I always go back to is Chris/Roger from Less Than Jake (totally different vibe, I know) but Skiba/Andriano is also a powerhouse in terms of having 2 main songwriters and excellent singers and backup vocalists, they compliment each other like blood and murder (eh ohhhh).
The Spotify playlist (2ndhandspin - Blood, Hair and Eyeballs)
Interview Tuna on Toast w/ Matt Skiba
