Alkaline Trio
Goddamnit

THE REVIEW

Far from the media echo that Europe has used to seduce other stars and stripes formations, one cannot say that Alkaline Trio have been so far an evanescent shooting star.

Here we are at the dawn of their history and stylistically far from the wave fascinations of “Crimson”, the 2005 maturation album (but what does that mean anyway?!) and their definitive consecration as well as the midstream turn of “Agony & Irony”.

1998. The lineup is the classic alkaline trio: Matt Skiba (vocals and guitar) – Dan Andriano (vocals and bass) – Glan Porter (drums). The difference from today is the absence of loyal Derek Grant who would replace Mike Feumlee behind the stool and enter the band only in 2001.

It's the sparkling notes of the changeable “Cringe” that open “Goddamnit” followed in quick succession first by “Cop”, then by the mid-tempo “San Francisco” and the sudden burst painted in their classic “Nose Over Tail” that make us realize that what we have in front of us are still young guys with a precarious emotional balance as demonstrated by the lyrics, naive and brash like Green Day could be in '92 when they recorded “Kerplunk!” for Lookout: here only the scenario changes— we are not in California, but in the grayer and less charming Chicago, Illinois by the shores of Lake Michigan, yet the spirit is the same, bare and raw punk rock, stripped of any preposterous frills.

The Lookout! of the situation here is called Asian Man under which they will record two years later the best-seller number #2 “Maybe I'll Catch Fire”, ending their first activity period before moving to Vagrant.

The perfectly fitting and leading riff of “Clavicle” immediately brings to mind the famous “Dammit” by Blink-182 and it would be interesting to understand who plagiarized whom, given the evident similarity in rhythm and melody of the two and the close release period of both. But let's pretend nothing happened.

The hidden gems are “Enjoy Your Day” and “Sorry About That” where Skiba and Andriano lay bare relying only on the sincerity of the acoustics and the result is perfectly achieved.

From “Goddamnit” to “My Shame Is True” the temporal distance covered is considerable, there is the maturation of boys today aware of having become men in all aspects.
And fortunately, this review will not end with the classic hope directed to some god of a return to the beginnings to reignite the fire long extinguished, because let's face it, they have kept their promises, nothing more can be asked, one can only give the respect they deserve to what in hindsight remains the best pop-punk-rock band on the scene. That is enough.

Thank you alkaline ones.

PS: The version I analyzed is the 2008 reissue almost identical to the original, retaining its spartan production if not for the addition of the band's first demo, a different cover, and above all, improved audio quality.