Good Mourning [Digipak] - Alkaline Trio > Reviews > The Trio go dark

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks	A couple of weak links
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Good
Value for Money	Good

Advantages:	Dark, melodic, infectious punk with great lyrics
Disadvantages:	Some tracks seem like filler

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

This is Alkaline Trio's 4th proper studio album, released in 2003 on Vagrant records. The trio have always been a slightly dark band, but with the release of Good Mourning, the band have changed their image completely. Fortunately their music hasn't changed too much. Good Mourning features newly recruited drummer Derek Grant

The album starts off with This Could Be Love. Very dark and clever lyrics, from singer and guitarist Matt Skiba. Not one of my personal favourites though. I like it, but it doesn't grab me. 8/10

We've Had Enough was the first hit single from the album. This is good Alkaline Trio. Dark verse but it then goes into the chorus in a major key. Very lively too. The album redeems itself after the fairly disappointing This Could Be Love. 10/10

The good thing about Alkaline Trio is their guitarist Matt Skiba and their bassist Dan Andriano can both take lead vocals. 100 Stories is a Dan song. Slightly slower than the previous 2 songs. Awesome outro. Very nice song overall. 9/10

Continental is back to dark punk. And at it's best. One of the best track on the album. The last chorus is wonderful and this is a brilliant all round song. 10/10

All On Black was going to be a hit single, but they never got round to making a video and the plan failed. This is my personal favourite track on the album. Incredibly dark but upbeat as usual. Just awesome. 10/10

Emma is another Dan song. The happiest song on the album so far. Fairly short track, but again, a nice track. 8/10

It's back to Matt with the next track. Fatally Yours is my least favourite on the album. The most upbeat one so far, but I find it a bit boring. Only 2 and a half minutes long though. 7/10

Every Thug Needs A Lady is another Dan song. Don't really like the intro, but it eventually kicks into a very good song. Lovely chorus. 8/10

Dan carries on lead vocals with Blue Carolina. This track has grown on me. Beautiful chorus with awesome harmonies. 9/10

Donner Party is the happiest song on the album. Very upbeat with a very catchy chorus. A great all round punk song. 9/10

If We Never Go Inside is a good track. Not one of the best on the album, but a beautiful track. 9/10

Blue In The Face is acoustic and in 6/8. This is just beautiful. Slightly overrated, but incredibly awesome. 9/10

This isn't the best place to start with the trio. I'd go with the Self Titled album or Maybe I'll Catch Fire if you're new to them. This is a good album, but it doesn't grab you. It's nice if you're not out to fully concentrate on the music. A good album, but nowhere near the top of my CD rack. I forgot to mention, the lyrics on this album are incredible. That's one of the strong points about the trio.