Alkaline Trio

Good Mourning
$13.98
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.

Agony & Irony
$11.94
This album is ok. It took a while for it to grow on me, and it still doesn't compare to their earlier releases. Many of the songs have lost what I love about Alkaline Trio's older stuff. The music sounds way over-produced and it's obvious that they had help from proffessional songwriters in order to make this album more palatable for fans of trendy, predictable pop / alternative / "punk" music. I'm afraid that more mainstream releases like this will reshape Alkaline Trio into another group of faux-goth posuer weirdos that release horribly watered down compromised music; like what happened to AFI. With that being said, it's a must have for true Alkaline Trio fans strictly for the reason that it will help complete your collection. But If you really want to experience what the band can offer, buy the self-titled album, Godammit, or Maybe I'll Catch Fire.

Alkaline Trio - Bouquet T-Shirt Large
$17.95
This black cotton t-shirt from Alkaline Trio features a white and red print of a bouquet. But this bouquet is made up of their skull in heart logo, along with scissor flowers. The band name is printed in red on the back.

Remains
$15.98
Make it this one. The only real problem I had with it is that they decided to include the Split version of Sadie even though they produced another version of it for Crimson, but they held out on Over at the Frankenstein place. Even still, if you don't have Crimson, Sadie is one of the bands best songs, and throw in Hell Yes, Queen of Pain, Dead End Road, Hating Every Minute, Jaked on Green Beers, Metro, We Can Never Break Up, and Warbrain you have some of their finest songs.

Also, on the booklet that comes with the CD, Matt Skiba says that "We Can Never Break Up" is the song that represents what the band is all about, and having heard all their CD's, I think that is true and this CD represents what they are all about better than any other. Great for hardcore fans, but even better for those unfamiliar with the band.