Alkaline Trio prove they’re more than your average emo-punk band on their latest, Agony and Irony.The Chicago-area act came out of the demise of nineties ska-punk acts like Slapstick and The Suicide Machines, and have only grown as the emo/hardcore scene of this decade has expanded – now all the way to major label Epic. While Alkaline Trio don’t reinvent the emo wheel on Agony and Irony, they give a solid and enjoyable effort.
It is an effort that peaks a bit early, however. Leadoff tracks “Calling All Skeletons” and “Help Me” are clearly the top pieces, and the following “In Vein” isn’t far behind. The catchy rhythms of “Calling” and effective call to arms of “Help Me” really get the blood pumping, and the bigger punk rock of “Vein” has a neat disco-drive beat underneath it. Of the rest of the record, perhaps only closer “Into the Night” is as fine, with its carrying, energetic finish.
The rest of Agony is more ‘traditional’ emo-punk, but doesn’t fall into the overwrought trap of so much of the genre. “Over and Out” wisely plays simple when it is simple, and grand when it is grand, while “I Found a Way” overcomes the trite emo guitar skiff thanks to its hooks. “Do You Wanna Know?”, “Lost and Rendered”, and “Ruin It” are all fairly emo-standard, though potential single “Love Love, Kiss Kiss” actually moves pretty well as some old-school rock (but yes, “Live Young, Die Fast” is kind of obvious…).
Continuing the injection of melody that was found on their last, 2005’s Crimson, Alkaline Trio have avoided the repeating, diminishing returns of many of their emo-punk brethren. Agony and Irony will go down well with the band’s large fanbase, and while it isn’t going to immediately win over any emo-haters to the genre, it won’t inspire any distaste, either, and goes down easier & easier with each spin.
MP3 Stream: “Calling All Skeletons”
