Customer Reviews

This Addiction

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Unlike many longtime fans, I have actually enjoyed the progress that Alkaline Trio has made since their debut over a decade ago to 2008's Agony & Irony. The band has shown great leaps in songwriting and musicianship. They've matured as musicians and artists. The writing has become much more melodic and the hooks have gotten stronger.

2010's This Addiction is the perfect combination of the new mature songwriting style with the original punk edge that they debuted with. The songs are dark, powerful, and fast (for the most part), yet still melodic. There should be enough on this album to satisfy both old fans and newer fans of the band.

Some personal favorites are the title track, which sounds very reminiscent of their early days, the hard and fast rocker American Scream, and the beautifully melodic Draculina.

My only regret in buying this album is that I hastily bought it before I realized that there was a deluxe version of it available. The deluxe version is only $2 more and offers 6 more tracks and a bonus live DVD. You can't beat that!

For a band with seven studio albums and other numerous appearances, it's almost impossible not to compare their new material with their old. That's just fine in the case of Alkaline Trio, since the band is doing what it's always done since 1996.

On their latest effort, "This Addiction", Alkaline Trio take a step backwards from their last attempt, "Agony & Irony", to go back to the tried-and-true drawing board. "Agony" seemed to be the Trio's attempt at injecting their timeless formula with some new spin, and it didn't translate well from the idea to the album. The sound that we've come to know and love wasn't the same, and after such a long break after "Crimson" (I'm not counting "Remains", as it was B-sides), we were ready to be refreshed.

This new album, however, embraces what Alkaline Trio has always done, and done well. The hooks are catchy, the lyrics and rhyme metering are clever. Some songs sound like polished-up versions of classics, with "Dead On the Floor" sounding like a bit of a nod to "Radio", and "Piss and Vinegar" sounding like just a drop of "I'm Dying Tomorrow". However, their attempts to infuse a new methodology of playing the same four-chord progression falls a bit in songs like "Dorothy" and another attempt at a Cure-sounding track on "Eating Me Alive" just can't deliver.

Overall, this album is better than their last, but not as perfectly polished as "Crimson". It's the new sound of Alkaline Trio, that they started with "Good Mourning", and it's just like restoring an old muscle car - it's the same ride, just shinier.

I'm a long-time fan of Alk Trio, but this most recent record of theirs just didn't do it for me. It isn't a bad record, but there aren't any songs that really grabbed me, and lyrically, it just didn't seem to resonate quite as well as many of their other stuff has. Overall, not bad, but I would say my least favorite of their studio albums.

For those of us who thought the Trio's best work was behind them, you might be pleasantly surprised by what you'll hear on This Addiction.

Miles ahead of the decidedly average Agony & Irony, there are some really catchy tracks on this album, although I just can't help but feel the edge that made their first records so spectacular has gone...and gone for good.

That being said, I still thoroughly enjoy This Addiction.

Although i personally like this album i agree with others in saying that what made Alkaline Trio great on albums like From Here to the Infirmary, Goddamnit, etc. seems to be missing. There seems to be less emotion in this album and also the album is pretty short. This album is closer to the older Alkaline then Agony and Irony and Crimson but it is still not the same. I would give this album a 8 out of 10 because there are some defining points in the album that are memorable, but at the same time most of the album just seems to get lost in translation. Music is still fun and catchy and that is why i still like this album. For Alkaline Trio fans this album is a must at least just to support the band, but for people wanting to listen to them for the first time check out From Here to the Infirmary or Their Self Titled Alkaline Trio.

Overall I enjoyed the CD, and there are several great songs, but I thought Crimson was a better CD. If you like Alkaline Trio I don't think you will be disappointed.

This album is very polished and sounds very good (the mastering); however, the hooks and lyrics did not meet my expectations. This album is the A3's softer approach to music in general, and this may be a purposeful reason why it lacks emotional depth. All the songs have a smooth melody, which is fine if that is what you expect when you purchase the album, but personally, I miss the earlier style which had more bite. If I sampled this album in advance, and was not told it was an A3 album, I never would have bought it. It will sit in my collection, but I refuse to give this title a high rating just because it is an A3 album. To me, this album was way too soft. If I wanted calming melodies, I would listen to an adult contemporary artist, not A3. A word to the trio: if you are going to smooth down the music, than at least keep the lyrics a bit edgier; don't take the bite out of both. This review is from a long-time A3 fan, not a professional music critic. This review is just my one, single opinion; I am sure others will feel differently. Sorry, but from a phenomenaly-unique band, I expected more than what this, extremely well mastered, but very vanilla sounding album had to offer. I guess that is the double-edge sword that being a such good band cleaves: their prior albums set the expectations too high for this one to reach. Sorry for the low stars, but I really miss the old trio!

Get this cd now! Every song is great in thier own way. Love the feel of this cd compared to A&I. I guess Im an "old school" fan but, this album is very well written. Love the production also. I would campare this album to Good Mouring..(which is my fav). Not very radio friendly but, thats a good thing. Glad to see them on thier own lable now and, it shows. So many good songs, hard to pcik my favorite. "American Scream"...."Dorthy"..."Off the Map" are stellar songs. Hands down great buy for $9.99 Dvd is good too. Pick this up!

I enjoy this album like I enjoy all Alk3 albums but it is lacking in unique music, interesting lyrics and harder rock songs. When you hear the intro to the first track, you get chills because it's totally throw back to the old raw trio. However, after a few listens you realize the lyrics and hooks aren't interesting enough to hold your attention for months and the music is actually just a cheapen version of Mr. Chainsaw - but with less dynamic changes. Anyway, I understand that some people may like this album more that others. That's cool with me. Everyone has their own tastes.

To get a better idea if you would find this review helpful, I've ranked the Alk3 albums from my most to least favorite (1 being most) and provided my top 5 (or 6) all time Alk3 songs. If you disagree with both of these lists, ignore this review completely.
1. From Here to Infirmary (2001)
2. Alkaline Trio (2000)
3. Goddamnit (1998)
4. Agony & Irony (2008)
5. Maybe I'll Catch Fire (2000)
6. Good Mourning (2003)
7. This Addiction (2010)
8. Crimson (2005)

1. Mr. Chainsaw
2. '97
3. All On Black
4. Jaked on Green Beers
5. I Lied My Face Off / Hating Every Minute

I'm a big Alkaline Trio fan. I've loved just about everything they've done since Maybe I'll Catch Fire. Until now. This Addiction just doesn't cut the mustard. And most surprisingly, it's due to the weak lyrics. Matt Skiba is capable of so much more. "Fine" is the definite bright spot for me. I do quite like that song.