Alkaline Trio - Is This Thing Cursed? (August 31, 2018) Album • Page 55

I forget what song it’s in but it sounds like Matt sings the lyric dead and buried like he does in time to waste.

 

I'm about 30 listens in and my favorites are as follows

1. Little Help -This is just TOO catchy, I feel like the whole song is a reflection of Dans past because I know he's settled down more these days, with the chorus referencing (I assume) his daughter.

2. Stay - This is like Dan's "Do You Wanna Know?" or "Only Love" of this record.. Just hits home and I absolutely love the lyrics.

2. Demon & Division - (Thought this was a throway single when it dropped.. now I cannot stop playin' it."
3. Sweet Vampires - (I really didnt like this one at first but after hearing it in my car as opposed to my laptop or headphones... Its a banger when driving around.

4. Pale Blue Ribbon - At this point you're like "Wow this guy likes Dan songs." Yes.. yes I prefer Dan's vocals and songwriting to Matt. This song has that chorus that just uplifts from the verse and keeps the energy goin.

5. Krystalline - I feel like this is the type of song Matt was going for when he wrote "Angel of Deaf" for the 1st Sekrets record... I love how clear and well he sings on this one, and the lyrics "We kissed away our memories and fucked away the pain.." have some nice throwback feels.

Just doin' top 5 for now.. I have the heart & skull tattooed on my wrist so I am a little biased.. I fucking love this record. Every track is great.

 

I agree with @Jason Tate when he said listen to it a few times to let it sink in. The trio is my favorite band of all time (yes I have multiple tattoos) and the more I listen this album the more I love it. Dan REALLY shines on this one and that makes me so incredibly happy.

 

Still have some minor gripes on the production. Vocals sound amazing, music IS amazing but for some reason the muddiness in the drums and guitars on some tracks stands out a little too prominently sometimes. Will try headphones and see if it still happens.

Also, don’t get me wrong, I love the album, but there are 2 songs where the verse melodies sounds super similar to Queen Of Pain (which I also love). Anyone else catch that?

 

Yeah I mentioned earlier somewhere that there were two songs that you felt like you could sing the rest when Matt was halfway through the first line lol. Eh, tbh it really doesn't bother me that much when they have so many songs. There can be predictable melodies with them but I thought there was a decent amount of stuff on here that felt kinda fresh to me

 

Yeah, it doesn’t bother me much, I love the songs, it was just more apparent this time around! Still a tops alkaline trio record for me!

 

Skiba and Dan both repeat melodies, I'm always the first of my friends to admit this.. but I'ts better than when Delonge does it.. (Except Everything's Magic...which I actually love lol.)

 

I’ve only gotten one full listen in but I know for a fact I’m going to be fully in love with this after a few more plays. I absolutely loved all of Dan’s tracks on first listen and Throw Me to the Lions was incredible.

 

Yeah I'm officially getting the heart skull tattooed when I'm in Chicago for Riot Fest

 

I have zero tats, but I think sometime in the next month, I’m finally getting the heartskull put on my forearm. Band means more to me than any other, and I’m doing it to celebrate bday 35!

 

I love the shit out of I Can't Believe

 

I’ve heard a bunch of songs, but I’ve never listened to an album. Should I start with this?

 

Yes

 

So, Derek straights KILLS the drums in the bridge of Throw Me To The Lions. What a damn beast with so much finesse! Hope that dude is doing well.

 

Driving around tonight I have to admit Krystalline choked me up a bit lol Matt sounds so great on it

 

Yes love the rasp during the chorus

 

I'm looking forward to when a little time passes and I can go all the way through the cd cause I just played the first 3 to death. Haha doesn't affect how I feel about them just need the break from them

 

Last time I went with some people in Chicago while they got Trio tattoos and the tattoo guy said he'd been doing so many that week and over time in general that the people working the parlor joked that Trio fans were the Juggalos of punk rock. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

 

The 2nd chorus of lions into that little part after the chorus into the noisy bridge with Derek going nuts on drums is the kind of perfect moment I wouldn't have dared expect from this album

 

Matt’s “I want you Krystalline” is probably my favorite moment on the album.

 

No matter how hard I try I can't hear "want." I keep hearing "I warned you" and I like it better that way, even if I'm wrong. Haha.

 

One last Dance is definetely one of my alll time favorite trio songs. MSIT is an amazing album.

 

One Last Dance rules

 

For some reason even though they're one of my favorite bands, their new stuff always takes a few listens to click for me and this one was no exception. I've heard it a few times now though and it's just fantastic, easily in the top half of the discography at least. Both Dan and Skiba sound super refreshed, like they've been waiting for this for years (which they have I guess). Highlights besides the singles for me are easily Throw Me to the Lions, Goodbye Fire Island and Sweet Vampires but there's not a skippable track



Also, I don't know how I never noticed until now that Matt's two side-projects are called Heavens and The Hell

 

Sweet vampires has a big Sekrets vibe to it as well. Love it.

Nothing will ever beat Good Mourning for me but after a few listens, who even knows!