Note: After five indie label albums, Alkaline Trio makes their major label debut with Agony & Irony.
Sound: Don’t expect a dramatic change due to the move to the big leagues. Their punk-rooted, death-obsessed, melodic rock has had a poppy polish for a couple of albums now anyway. The difference here, though, is that Alkaline Trio has lost a bit of their dangerous edge. The lyrics can still be simultaneously morose and clever while catchy harmonies soften the gloomy tendencies. But there’s a much more hopeful, positive vibe on here than usual.
Heavy Rotation track: “In Vein”
Medium Rotation tracks: “Love Love Kiss Kiss”; “Calling All Skeletons”; “Over and Out”
Recommended: Alkaline Trio can still write quality catchy tunes, but they’ve lost some of their unsettling bite this time around. Mellowing out and cheering up (a little) doesn’t necessarily suit them. Agony & Irony feels disappointing in light of the promising strides they made on 2005’s Crimson.
Grade: B

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