Alkaline Trio
Maybe I'll Catch Fire

THE REVIEW

A "fiery" cover almost like an impressive apocalyptic vision, certainly the most unique and fascinating among those of the three Chicago-natives.

Second album for the Illinois band after the 1998 debut with "Goddamit!". Alkaline Trio are one of the most appreciated pop-punk bands in the States combining dark and melancholic atmospheres with emotional and catchy melodies.

In these ten songs that make up the album, you can perceive a group different from the current one. Compositions at times quite long that depart from the classic pop-punk structure. Certainly the most suffered and melancholic album in which the beautiful voices of Matt and Dan, guitarist and bassist of the combo, stand out. To clarify the main concept: more Get Up Kids than Blink 182, more emo-rock, less pop-punk. Indeed, a rather novel work, as we know them today.

The album is opened by "Keep 'em coming" with an excellent melody, notable tempo changes, powerful guitars, and a whiny voice, one of the best on the album. Next is the decent "Madame me" which unfolds over a series of octaves and the first ballad sung by Dan Andriano "I've got so far" where the difference in vocal timbres between the two voices emerges. Other sweet moments come from the longest track on the album, nearly five minutes "Fuck you aurora".

Following is a rather peculiar song "Sleepyhead" with a decidedly more rock 'n roll vibe. With the title-track excellently executed and anchored to a good melody and sung by the bassist, we return to good levels. There are also more frantic and fast-paced compositions with more punk-oriented rhythms: examples are the excellent "She tuck in" and "5-3 10-4" (a rather strange title!). In the middle, we find "She took him to the lake" which adds nothing new.

To close the work worthily, it could only be a historic anthem of the three, among the overall most beautiful songs of the alkaline and the one they always perform at the end of their concerts: the wonderful "Radio", (other than "Adam's song and such nonsense) a sweet ballad built on beautiful guitar arpeggios where all the expressiveness and the beautiful vocal timbre of Matt Skiba emerge, alternating with that of Dan Andriano. Truly a little gem that exudes emotions and feelings during its 4'40".

This last track is emblematic of why it is reductive to define Alkaline Trio as a simple and nondescript pop-punk band for American garden parties, a fact also evident from the dark lyrics that speak of death, and macabre situations, as well as drugs and alcohol. Although this is the album that, musically, is less dark.

An essential production characterized by direct sounds, with no particular additions in the arrangements, as will happen in the future.

Some final notes:

Line Up:

Here behind the drums, we still find Mike Feumlee, who after this album will leave the band to pursue a solo career. He will be replaced by Derek Grant.

Label:

The record is released under the aegis of Asian Man Records, and in more recent times, given the success of the next album, it will be reprinted with four bonus tracks.

Significant songs:

"Keep 'em coming", "She tuck in", "Radio".

Don't know them? Try searching for "Private eye," "This could be love," or "Time to waste" which fully represent their musical style.

In conclusion "Maybe I'll Catch Fire" is a good work that shows us the early days of Alkaline Trio, worth listening to if you're a fan, although the peaks will arrive later with "From Here To Infirmary" and "Crimson".