the Informer

Courtesy Of Jackrabbitsonline.com

Earlier this week, Alkaline Trio released their seventh studio album entitled “This Addiction.” Still sporting eyeliner and tight jeans, the group that formed in 1996 has undergone few changes in their newest record.

The familiarity of catchy beats and dark subject matter are bound to snare any old school fan.

One clear change that has resonated over the years is guitarist/singer Matt Skiba’s voice.

Early albums capture Skiba’s pained, growling vocals from years of smoking. Since the 2003 release of “Good Mourning,” Skiba’s voice has grown stronger and clearer. Joined by the ever-smooth vocals of bassist Dan Andriano, Skiba’s healthier singing, though lacking the apropos tortured disposition, is probably for the best.

Regarding the lyrical content of “This Addiction,” Skiba said in a SuicideGirls interview, “… I had some things go on in my life that just brought me back to that very drunk, very angry and sad young man that I was ten years ago.

I never went completely off the deep end but I had some dark times and therefore there is some darkness…” In a recent interview with Spin, Skiba remarked upon the album title, “It’s a metaphor. I take heroin addiction and compare it to love. Falling in love with somebody is like a rush of heroin, and trying to break up with somebody is like trying to kick heroin.”

“This Addiction” wastes no time in yanking listeners into the mix of bouncy punk beats. The title track embarks upon the aforementioned task of comparing a lost love to drug withdrawal.

Driving chords and pulsing, poppy beats work in typical Alkaline Trio style to oddly compliment the rather grim lyrics.

The imagery of “Wonderland,” blood, guts, and “living hell,” usher in “Draculina.” Skiba and Andriano go on to harmonize about “birds of prey and the stinging of bees and bullets.”

Skiba has “a demon in mind,” and each chorus of “Draculina” revolves around this blushing, vampiric love interest. Obviously, the Trio doesn’t mince words when it comes to the subtle art of courting ladies.

“Fine,” sung by Andriano, strikes the listener as a significantly more laid-back tune than the majority of the album’s tracks. With Skiba’s underlying harmonies, Andriano croons, “If I’m the captain of this boat, then all my shipmates are fools.” The pop-punk guitar solo that opens “Kick Rocks” could lead the song to easily be mistaken for a Ludo song. The album conquers the textbook love song, Alkaline Trio style, in “Those Lungs.”

Over fervid guitar strumming, Andriano swoons, “When you’re finally able to fall asleep, though the sun may disagree, I’m gonna lay right there and watch you breathe ‘til you wake up to me.”

Boasting such artful track titles as “Piss and Vinegar,” “Lead Poisoning,” “Eating Me Alive” and “Dead On The Floor,” Alkaline Trio’s latest release is certainly a keeper  for any devoted fan.