Crimson [Enhanced]

Alkaline Trio | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 24, 2005)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Label: Vagrant Records
• ASIN: B0009IW8VM
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (89 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #75,002 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Though the current world of Alkaline Trio is not nearly as fraught with and fueled by drink and drama as in the band's formative years, the making of the new Crimson (out May 24 on Vagrant), was not without its share of dark portents: Two bone-shattering skateboarding accidents, one PunkVoter tour that failed to block the reelection of George W. Bush... but oddly enough: No failed relationships!

As a result Crimson stands as the most mature and ambitious 13 songs Alkaline Trio has ever pushed itself to create-with able guidance from producer Jerry Finn (Green Day, Blink-182, Jawbreaker). From the ominous piano and atmospherics opening of first single "Time To Waste" to closing ballad "Smoke," not a moment or note is wasted as the familiar Trio balance of darkness and melody on "Mercy Me," "Dethbed" and "The Poison" nestles up against increasingly progressive tempos and arrangements of "Burn" and "Satin," and the epic true-to-life tales of Manson family member Sadie Mae Glutz ("Sadie") and the West Memphis Three ("Prevent This Tragedy").

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Hide the Cutlery, March 12, 2006

By 

Alk3GC182GD "Ben" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Crimson (Audio CD)

Alkaline Trio has matured. There's no way of avoiding it, or arguing against it. Both lyrically and musically they have grown from their near suicidal alcohol and drug binge days to a more creepy, horror movie type of songwriting. The music has matured as well. The recording scenarios are better, the bass lines, guitar riffs, and percussion are all better than they were. They are a tighter band, and "Crimson" shows that.

This album brings a mixed bag to the table. Building upon the success of 2003's "Good Mourning", the band continues their quest for catchy almost goth themed songs. Denying that "Time to Waste" is a good song is absurd. "Mercy Me", "Sadie" and "Smoke" highlight this album. While "I Was a Prayer" and "Back to Hell" add more conceptual depth. The songs are smart, and the lyrics as well written as ever, on both Matt's and Dan's songs.

The sound does take a little getting used to. If you're favorite Alkaline albums are "Maybe I'll Catch Fire" and "Goddamnit" then don't buy this album. You will just be disappointed and then want to blast them for not staying true to their roots, which is near impossible for any band anyway. However, if you appreciate the band as clever musicians (which they undoubtedly are, then buy the album, and it will prove to you that songs about Helter Skelter, pills, death, and catastrophe can ultimately be enjoyable.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Shadows of the past, June 2, 2005

By 

S. Keating "gravy" (New york, New York United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Crimson (Audio CD)

Anytime I read a review of any band & someone says "Why can't they make an album like..." & they spout off the bands first 3 records, or maybe even just the only other album they know by the group, I wonder... HUH? Change can be good... with the exception of the Ramones most acts that churn out the same record year after year burn out & are forgotten. The men in the Trio are not the boys of the pre-Good Mourning Trio... Besides being compared to yourself & prior acts can be both complimentary & insulting. You love Goddammit when I was 20 & I didn't really know myself or my craft, yet you think I'm boring now because I won't write another song about being and or getting hammered? Ye old catch 22 i guess.
Bottom line, The Alkaline Trio write damm good songs. I think it gets lost in the process because they also write some fine music as well & that seems to be what most folks notice first & tend to latch onto & don't want it to change..

"you had time to waste, and I'm not sorry
such a Basket case, Hide the cutlery."

"Intending to burn, pretending to fight it
everyone learns faster on fire."

& the very Westerbergian (that's Paul!)
"like the pills in your hand I'll never let you down."

It would be nice to see albums judged on their own merit instead
of on notions that bands owe the listener the same album over & over because they themselves either don't won't to move on or are incapable of it.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A terrific album from a band that has always had potential, June 5, 2007

By 

Alex J. Avriette "Alex Avriette" (Arlington, Virginia USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Crimson (Audio CD)

I am saddened to hear the reviews of "they sold out" or "their sound has finally become pop" and the similar cries of embittered fans. The simple fact of the matter is the band has improved their production quality and softened their music a little - although nowhere near enough to justify a "sellout" accusation.

In past albums, Goddamnit!, for example, there was a raw, young punk feeling to the band. Compare, if you will, to Taking Back the Covers or many of the bands on the Springman label. Bands grow up. Punk doesn't *inevitably* lead to pop, but when the angst that starts creativity leads to intelligent songwriting, harmonies and more complex chord work, the hard edge that sometimes brings us to punk gets lost.

But, listen to The Poison on Crimson, or Back to Hell, and you'll realize that it's the same band that recorded Goddamnit! and From Here to Infirmary.

People have said that the star of the album is really Mercy Me. I'm also a complete sucker for harmony, and Mercy Me has harmonies that almost evoke Brian Wilson. However, listeners will also find a real treat in the next track, Dethbed, which has the same harmonies with a more morbid, darker overtone to it, which is frankly more reminiscent of their earlier recordings (which listeners seem to be looking for).

The songwriting is so intelligent, the composition of the music itself is intelligent itself, and what Alkaline Trio has produced in Crimson is a damn good album.

Bitter "we knew them first" fans should realize that bands grow, and that sometimes their fans don't grow with them as quickly. The good news is for these fans is that there *are* bands out there right now cutting their teeth on punk, like Amazing Transparent Man, who will do more than enough to satisfy when "The Trio" goes "pop."