Customer Reviews

Maybe I'll Catch Fire

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The Alkaline Trio are an incredibly underrated band -- to stick them in any one category doesn't do them justice. The songwriting ability that's jammed up in this band is amazing. Songs like "Radio" and "Madame Me" prove the incredible ability that Matt Skiba and Dan Andriano have to punch in great chord changes that are comparable to late great Nirvana. Punk can't hold these guys, emo can't hold these guys, pop, indie ... none of those categories have the flexibility to have the Alkaline Trio placed in there. The lyrics are amazing; dark and humorous but at the same so filled with joy and pain and anger that you get swept up into these guys heads' immediately. This band is proof that simplicity is a VERY undervalued characteristic in music, but that doesn't mean that creativity has to take a cut either. Best songs on the album: "Tuck Me In", "Radio", "Sleepyhead", "Madame Me", "Keep 'Em Coming".

Initially I found this album a slightly disapointing follow up to the Trio's previous efforts of Goddamnit, and the various vinyl tracks (re-released on the CD compliation "Alkaline Trio"). After listening to this album a mere two times, I realized how truly amazing this record is. Lyrically very few bands can match the Alkaline Trio's remarkable skill for conveying emotion with sincerity. Their lyrics manage to tell a story as well as paint a picture. Musically, this album has a little more of a poppy feel than previous releases, although it sticks to the melodic, emotional punk sound. I have a million more things to say about this record, but I think you should just buy it for yourself. This band has something that simple words cannot describe.

The Alkaline Trio is one of my all time favorite bands. This cd is absolutely amazing. Each song is well crafted, and Matt Skiba's lyrics are stronger here than on much of their newer stuff.

"Keep 'em Coming"- The cd starts out strong with the song "Keep 'em Coming". This song is a perfect introduction to the ALkaline Trio.

"Madam Me" is great, one of my top 5 songs on the cd. With heavy guitar riffing over a driving bass line, with strong lyrics to match.

"You've got so far to go"- is one of Dan's songs, and it is amazing as well. Though Matt Skiba gets much of the recognition, Dan Adriano deserves much more credit, as he often upstages Matt's lyrics.

"F--- You Aurora"- This could be my favorite alkaline trio song, from any cd. Beautiful and Mysterious, this is the Alkaline Trio at their best.

"Sleepy Head" showcases the edge that the Alkaline Trio had on their songs pre-"From Here to Infrimary". I kove that album, but "Sleepyhead" is a fantastic, beautiful song... if only more bands could write like this.

"Maybe I'll Catch Fire"- The title track is another one of Dan's song. Once again, Dan displays his excellent song-crafting ability. Dan does a very stong job on vocals, though I usually tend to prefer Matt's voice.

"Tuck Me in"- A faster, punkier, moshier song. A very good break from the cycle track.

"She Took Him to the Lake"- Another of Dan's, this song starts out very similar to "Tuck Me In"'s style. It is not my favorite on the cd, music wise, but the lyrics are great. After the song grows on you a little bit, though, you can start to recognize the subtle, impressive moments of the song.

"5-3-10-4"- Following in the tradition of the past few songs, this is another punk rock song. This is probably my fourth or fifth favorite songs on the cd, with a strong chorus and scathing, aggressive vocals by Matt.

"Radio"- There isnt much to say about this that hasnt been said already. The softest song on the cd, but no less intense, emotionally. Matt Skiba paints a vivid picture with his lyrics. The chorus, as well, is a sing-a-long, agressive chorus that stands out as one of their all time bests.

Overall, this cd is probably their best cd, in my oppinion. Not to knock their new albums, but the edge found on this album, along with Godda--it, has dulled slightly after this release.

If you dont have this cd already, even if you arent an Alkaline trio fan, you should definately buy this right away. It will convert the non-believers.

-peace

I have been a fan of Alkaline Trio for awhile now and I've heard every one of their albums several times. In every one they have a certain unexplained genius that flows forth, but with "Maybe I'll Catch Fire" they jump beyond that, into a sort of world all it's own. It's a beautifully depressing record for the down hearted. The songs "She Took Him To The Lake", "F+++ You Aurora" and "Radio" are my personal favorites and contain some of the best lyrics they've written, but you really need to listen to this one as a whole to truly appreciate the deepness. I would recommend this over all other trio records, truly their best.

This is, as I have already stated, probably my favorite Alkaline Trio album. Why? Well, I'll tell you why, you lazy can of sardines!
1. The album sounds more mature and organized than releases such as "Goddamnit!" (Not to say that Goddamnit isn't a good album)
2. The lyrics are superb, even for Alkaline Trio. I can't think of one song that doesn't make me say "Whoa. So true." And nod my head thusly.
3. The calmer and sadder beats (such as "Radio") work really well, especially with the vocal stylings and the (as previously mentioned) superb lyrics. In my opinion, depressing lyrics work better with depressing music, as opposed to faster, louder music.

I guess I thought I had more than 3 reasons before I began writing this, but these are three damn good reasons to buy, or at least steal, this CD. I would reccomend it to more seasoned Alkaline Trio fans, but newcomers will probably appreciate it as well.

this was my first alkaline trio album, and i love it thiiiiiis much (...). i dont wanna press the space bar anymore. well, i loved alll of the songs, except for She Took Him To the Lake, #8. my favorites were radio, 5-3-10-4, (...) you aurora, and sleepyhead. ("alarm clock bells are screamin' out the same routine again, scrape open your eyes, rise and (...) shine 7 AM) i love that line. well, alkaline trio are geniuses with the lyrics, thats all i can say. ABSOLUT GENIUS!

Really about 3.6 stars.

I have been kind of working backwards with Alkaline Trio-- I started with Good Mourning, which I loved, then got Crimson, which at first I didn't like as much but now really love, so I got Maybe I'll Catch Fire and am waiting for Goddammit to come it too.

At first listen I noticed right away how far the Trio have come in tightening up their sound-- mostly in the vocals realm as Maybe I'll Catch Fire is almost a little raw and wobbly both in the singers' tone and harmonizing-- but this was 5 years before the polished Crimson CD.

So I think this is a great reference listen for the Trio-- you can see they are building up their musical base and there are some great, catchy numbers here-- "Keep 'Em Coming" is a great opener, "You've Got So Far To Go" sounds like Blink until the vocals come in, and "F$#@ You Aurora" is a classic.

So I am going to continue exploring Alkaline Trio-- every CD by them is great so far, and stands on its own although the formula, which has developed through the records, is standard-- but it is also what makes them appealing musically.

I love A3. My friend got me into them last year. They have great lyrics and their style is very orginal, and Matt and Dan's voices are amazing together and wow. One of the only CD's I can listen to over and over again. Great record label too. "Asain Man Records"! How cool is that? Buy this CD and support Alkaline Trio if you are a fan. If you aren't listen to clips and see for yourself how you like it.

This was Alkaline Trio's second full length LP and is by far their best... They dropped the Dirty Pop Punk sound from Goddamnit!, and went towards a more vicious and raunchy style. The lyrics are amazing - Even if you don't know what Matt or Dan are talking about, you fall in love with their lyrics ("A song sung from a fallen milkman who is drinking bleach instead..." - Keep Em' Coming), and the guitar riffs are amazingly fast and don't hold back for one second. Then there are songs with a very clear message like, ...You Aurora', a semi-catchy song about losing someone in a car crash.. I think. And then 'You've Got So Far To Go', which is one of the most romantic songs I have ever heard (sung by Dan -Bass/Vocals). The lyrics are much different from Goddamnit, the lyrics aren't so much about booze and women now.. They took the band to a much more mature sound with this album.. Which may be a good or bad thing, depending on what you listen to. Also, when you listen to this whole album through, you can't help but get a vision of Flames and fire in your head with your eyes closed while listening to this masterpiece, which is an amazing thing coming from a punk band.
Matt's voice reminds me of Nirvana mixed with Green Day and Bad Religion, very vicious and raunchy.. While Dans voice is much like a drunken Frank Sinatra outside of a bar who just divorced his wife.
This album exceeds Goddammit and their latest album 'From Here To Infirmay', which takes a much cleaner and poppy sound, but is still pretty good. I can't get enough of this album, seriously.

But if you are just getting into Alkaline Trio, I suggest picking up From Here To Infirmary first, before getting MICF. MICF might scare you off. But it is an amazing album, none the less.

alkaline trio is my favorite band EVER. they're great musicians, the lyrics are awesome, and their voices are just so powerful. there's not a bad song on this cd(alk3 doesn't have any bad songs!). there's not even a mediocre song on it. this is a must have cd for anyone.