Alkaline Trio - Goddamnit (1998)

Now how am I supposed to play this for my fellow Sunday School classmates with an album name like that? Sigh. Looks like I'm going to have to bring Cattle Decapitation's "Monolith of Inhumanity" for the second week in a row.

Break out your eyeliner for this album, because the lyrics are so damn good I'm ordering five pounds of liquid eyeliner for all future listens! Consisting of guitarist/vocalist Matt Skiba, bassist/vocalist Dan Andriano, and drummer Glenn Porter, Alkaline Trio are a bit of a gem in the pop-punk genre, due to their lyrics, melodies, and great songwriting in general.

From the intro track "Cringe" to the closer "Sorry About That", Matt Skiba and Dan Adriano give genuinely emotional vocal performances without ever sounding too "woe is me". Basically, it's catchy, relatively raw sounding pop-punk with lyrics that are a notch above most bands in the genre, and damn, some of these songs rip! "Clavicle", a song with beautifully sincere lyrics about love RIPS! If I was 13 (when I was in my "EMO SUXXX" phase, which was pretty much just "ANYTHING THAT SOUNDS SAD IS BAD" even when I was depressed as shit) and heard this album, I'd be incredibly conflicted!

Man, I'm always such a sucker for punk rock (and its subgenres) albums that have audible bass. Dan Andriano's bass playing follows Matt Skiba's guitar riffs quite well. I have no damn idea how some punk bands can mix their bass so low in the mix to the point where there's literally no use in having a bassist even play on your records, but thankfully, even on their debut album, Alkaline Trio were smarter than that. Big thumbs up for that.

The quite depressing acoustic track "Enjoy Your Day", sung by bassist Dan Adriano, is quite bittersweet, with its lyrics detailing being brokenhearted but still wanting the best for the girl who broke your heart on Valentines Day, with her new lover, stating "I hope he bought you roses." but unfortunately, Dan Adriano doesn't get too much time on this album doing lead vocals, but rather, backing Matt Skiba up. Still, a nice little tune, even if it's a bit out of place in the tracklisting.

Pop this album in (or listen to the MP3s in your iTunes, you uncultured swine), lean back in your chair with a beer or two or six, and reflect upon your life. Just make sure your guns are locked up properly beforehand.

7/10
________________________________________________________ Feel free to check out the song previews/buy this album using my Amazon Associate link!