From Here To Infirmary - Alkaline Trio

...ciao, thats right... a review from me... after weeks of absolutely nothing!! Anyway, to business...

Alkaline Trio are a fairly well known and at least equally successful Chicago punk rock band. They have seven albums to date and this one, 'From Here To Infirmary' was their fourth. As the name suggests, the group have three members;

Matt Skiba - Vocals, Guitar
Dan Adriano - Vocals, Bass
Derek Grant - Drums and ...
...but manage ti stay away from conventional pop-rock pitfalls. They have quite darkened, apathetic lyrics at times and they add to the impact of the songs. This album was not their most succesful but it is the one that I most enjoyed which is why I have chosen this specific one for a review. It consists of 14 tracks and doesn't quite last forty minutes so it won't be too much of a loss if you don't like it.

=== FROM HERE TO INFIRMARY ===
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Yes ciao, thats right... a review from me... after weeks of absolutely nothing!! Anyway, to business...

Alkaline Trio are a fairly well known and at least equally successful Chicago punk rock band. They have seven albums to date and this one, 'From Here To Infirmary' was their fourth. As the name suggests, the group have three members;

Matt Skiba - Vocals, Guitar
Dan Adriano - Vocals, Bass
Derek Grant - Drums and backing vocals

* The catch is that on this album, Derek (the drummer) is replaced by 'Mike Felumlee.'

They formed in 1996 and after two years had released their first album 'Goddamnit' which turned about to be very well recieved by it's relevant critics. At the turn of the century they quickly released two further albums and in 2001 they produced the album which this review is covering. They have since released three further offerings, the most recent being 2008's 'Agony and Irony.'

The band have quite a radio friendly rock sound but manage ti stay away from conventional pop-rock pitfalls. They have quite darkened, apathetic lyrics at times and they add to the impact of the songs. This album was not their most succesful but it is the one that I most enjoyed which is why I have chosen this specific one for a review. It consists of 14 tracks and doesn't quite last forty minutes so it won't be too much of a loss if you don't like it.

FROM HERE TO INFIRMARY

Track 1 [Private Eye]

A blistering opening pace to the album with rasping hi-hats from the drumkit and a great rocky sound thrusting from the guitar amplifier. The lyrics stick to the title subject mostly and the song conjures up a murky but energetic atmosphere where I can only advise you to watch the music video to see what I mean. The basslines project tension throughout the song and it really as a thundering song if you crank the volume up. This is easily one of the best on the album and I would recommend it to any one who isn't guitar-phobic... If you ARE of a nervous disposition then make sure you brace yourself because this song doesn't mess about, there's noo intro... just silence... then... MUSIC!! Good music.

[9.5/10]

Best Lyrics

New Year's Eve was as boring as heaven
I watched flies f*ck on Chanenel eleven
There was no-one to kiss, nothing to drink
'cept some old rotten milk someone left in the sink
There's no ring, there's no ring on the phone any more
No reason to call I'm passed out on the floor.

Track 2 [Mr Chainsaw]

A more wholesome guitar riff spells a slightly lighter song but the drums are still very pacey and relentless without becoming overbearing. The lyrics are not without a bit of the typical emotional disdain at times and it gets difficult to tell what is literal and metaphorical. Although it is helpfully explained at the end of the song, as I've just ironically found out... '...in case you wondering, I'm singing, about growing up, about giving up and giving in.' Why can't all songs explain themselves at the end?

[6.5/10]

Track 3 [Take Lots With Alcohol]

This song doesn't have such a smooth flow as its predecessor and the vocals are a bit whiny if I want to be picky. The track is distinctly average really, an unmemorable tune with very few highs. Not full of lows but it plays through with little incident.

[4.5/10]

Track 4 [Stupid Kid]

Back on form quickly. And thankfully. This is the most exposed track from the album and I remember it being a single and frequently on UK music channels. The song is a slightly disturbed boy's tragic ode to a girl who rejected him in school. In the video it alludes to him exacting revenge. The video culminates in a young boy in school who eventually locks his teacher and the girl he liked in a burning classroom and exposes his devil horns to them through the window as the smoke thickens. A very twisted video but intriguing nonetheless. The song is punchy and has personality, unlike the previous track.

[8/10]

Track 5 [Another Innocent Girl]

An upbeat guitar rift merges with a contemplative lyric and an indifferent vibe for this track and once again, quite dramatic lyrics which have a tendency to slip under the radar unless you listen carefully. The instruments are average but the vocals are well delivered and show off the lead singer's heart.

[7/10]

Track 6 [Steamer Trunk]

A soft rocky guitar opens the door on this track and the drums carry the tempo, increasing pace to emphasise the song's high points and rousing choruses. It all begins quite innocuously but the instruments blend well and once the song gets into it's stride it is really very good.

[8/10]

Best Lyrics
(admittedly this is the chorus)

And I'm trying to figure out
What you're all about these days
I don't have much to say to you
And I've been drunker than a skunk
Ever since the day I left you
With your darkest secret safely packed away
Up in my steamer trunk

Track 7 [You're Dead]

A lethargic and gruff rock guitar again, the band tend to be quite relaxed with very frequent bursts of energy and passion. This song however does lack enough of this lively energy and dwells more on the negative side of the tracks. As a song it is ok but in comparison to the some of the most memorable songs on the CD, this one pales into relative insignificance.

[5/10]

Track 8 [Armageddon]

To make up for the lack of action it the previous track, this one kicks up a gear with heavy, rocking guitars, pounding drums and thrashing lyrics. The drums insist on you thumping along with them and if the last track was making you drop off then this one will make you sit back up and take notice. Pretty good, probably not everyone's cup of tea but in my opinion, one of the stronger tracks.

[8/10]

Track 9 [I'm Dying Tomorrow]

Again quite a rowdy beat to the song although the lyrics and vocal delivery are fairly restrained. The title of the song is fairly accurate with regards to the subject as Matt sings about the things he wishes he had done and if he lived his life right. Quite pensive lyrics and a decent song.

[7/10]

Track 10 [Bloodied Up]

Definitely one of my favourites, althought there are four or five on the album with that status. The bassline is very simple and unappolagetically repetetive in places but the power of the chorus, structure of the lyrics and the feeling in the song allow the bassline to be a good thing. A brilliant sing-a-long chorus and a good reason to get the album.

[8.5/10]

Best Lyrics
(Chorus again, what can I say, they write good choruses..)

You have every right to beeeeeeeeeeeeeee
This appalled with meeeeeeeeeeeee
Join the club!!
I signed up a long time ago and I know how you feel
And when you decked meeeeeeeeee
You left me knocked out on the floor
I came to bloodied up, but you weren't around
I picked my teeth off the ground like they'd been there before

Track 11 [Trucks & Trains]

This song is a little more withdrawn than its predecessor but in all honesty, there are not really any ballads or proper slow songs on offer on this album. Again the lyrics are delivered well and the emphasis on the key lines and strong rhymes may be why I like the vocals so much. Fairly simple musical structure is probably this song's weakest aspect but it is till worth the listen rather than skipping.

[6/10]

Track 12 [Crawl]

Probably the most relaxed track yet but still with the rocky edge to the guitaring. The drums are less frantic but still just as loud although this song lacks a cutting edge.

[4.5/10]

Track 13 [Standard Break]

Another calmer track in comparison. Slightly less power in the vocals and the whole song overall with apathy pouring from the lyrics non-stop. The track adds a slightlydifferent dimension to the album but it is blown out of the water by the stronger tracks, including the final track which follows it.

[5.5/10]

Track 14 [Hell Yes]

This is probably the song with the cleverest lyrical approach and has some of the best lines in the album. The guitar begins fairly patiently with a general innocuous feeling to the long. The lyrics talk of the singer's lack of faith and refer to a deity which he feels is watching over him. He speaks of being watched over and always being with him and it suggests he is referring to God. But after two verses he begins to mention his dark father below him and it becomes apparent he is singing to the devil instead. A brilliant concept and carried off very well. The lyrics are the song's strongest point and it even manages to slip in a little dark humour before the CD stops spinning. I really enjoy this song as I neevr really listened in detail to the lyrics until recently. A very nice way to close an album which definitely has something to offer most listeners.

[8.5/10]

Best Lyrics

And now here I sit alone in this room
No one to confide in
You watched all my dreams come apart at the seams
You laughed, you left, you waited in hiding...

Bless me dark father I have sinned
I've done it before and I'll do it again
Cuz it keeps me warm, and makes you smile
Been beneath me all the while
Hell yes!!

Overall

This album is not thought of as the band's strongest but I have fond memories and have been enjoying listening to it again as I write this review. If you like rock/punk/anything with guitars then you will see at least some of the merits in this record. The lyrics are quite strong, not offensive, but very dark and emotional at times. I sympathise with the sentiments at times [which worries me =)] but I think it sets the trio apart from similar bands. Rather than focus on self pity, they prefer to aim for self-loathing and they know how to paint a musical picture of the atmosphere they want to create. The album does have its flaws, as most do but it is of reasonable length and manages to make sure most tracks are of a good standard. There are four or five really good tracks and I would recommend maybe checking a few of them out. Whilst they do come off across as self-indulgent at times, the lyrics are usually at times the highlight of the song.

I do not have many further criticisms of the album. The genre is fairly narrow which the band move within but this means that if you like one song, chances are you will like most of the others. Overall, a very thoughtful and debateably mature release with a real streak of attitude at times. The choruses are very well written and hook the listener in to the song at their best, so if you like realism and rock then get listening to Alkaline Trio. if you don't like realism and rock, then why the hell not!?!?! 

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