Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Hide the Cutlery, March 12, 2006
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.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Shadows of the past, June 2, 2005
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.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
a great record, but not THAT great, June 29, 2006
ok first off, the only reason i gave it 4 stars is because it just isnt as good as the previous 2 records they released.
i know alkaline trio has changed, but they still make great music. no one can deny that they are talented. i remember when i first heard time to waste when the record was about to come out and i was so excited cause it was so good. then i bought it and i was obsessed with it for a few weeks, until i only started liking a select few songs. i still enjoy listening to it from time to time, but i'd prefer good mourning or from here to infirmiry any day.
1. time to waste - 10/10 - a solid track, one of my favorite trio jams to this day.
2. the poison - 5/10 - lazy guitar riff, boring jam.
3. burn - 10/10 - this is also an awesome song. really sad, yet powerful at the same time. this could easily be the best song on the cd
4. mercy me - 7/10 - i dont understand why they made this song a hit. its boring, barely catchy, and i personally dont like it. its WAY overrated.
5. dethbed - 9/10 - back to another good song. this song is musically creative and highlights skiba's writing progression. this is still a favorite of mine.
6. settle for satin - 7/10 - this song is ok, only as good as mercy me though. i dont really hate it, but its not one of my favorites and definitely not the best this cd has to offer.
7. sadie - 9/10 - this is a happier sounding song from the record and is one of my favorites. its creative and an amazing song. i never skip this one
8. fall victim - 7/10 - another boring song on the album. they should've left this one out
9. i was a prayer - 8/10 - probably the best song dan sings on this cd. it reminds me a lot of "emma" from good mourning.
10. prevent this tragedy - 7/10 - this one sounds like fall victim, but a little better in my opinion.
11. back to hell - 8/10 - this was one of my favorites when i first got the cd. its a pretty catchy song. i really like the verse, its really eerie.
12. your neck - 8/10 - this song sounds like band is just trying too hard to be dark. its still a good song, but the lyrics should've been changed to fit the song better
13. smoke - 8/10 - probably the most mellow, and saddest song on the cd. a lot of string instruments play in this one. its not really a bad song, but definitely not the best way to end the album.
well theres a summary of each track. if you've heard time to waste and you liked it, chances are you'll like this one too.
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