Album Review: Alkaline Trio - Is This Thing Cursed? (Epitaph)
Artist: Alkaline Trio Title: Is This Thing Cursed? Label: Epitaph Release Date:31/08/2018
Alkaline Trio are back with their 9th studio album after a 5 year break for the band and it is the follow up to 2013's 'This Shame Is True". This is the first record that was written almost entirely in the studio with the band citing the album being the cousin to 'Maybe I'll Catch Fire' and "a record the old-school fans will dig!" Does these comments ring true?
The album kicks off slow with a soft piano intro for the opener 'Is This Thing Cursed?' which picks up into that signature palm muted sound which we have heard throughout Alkaline Trio's career. The next track for me is the best on the album 'Blackbird' which has the dark tone that has become staple to Alkaline Trios sound over the years. There are a handful of other standouts on this record such as 'Little Help?', "I Can't Believe' and 'Throw Me To The Lions' that all pack a punch. The album as a whole chugs along at a steady pace but is a somewhat of a rollercoaster ride of ups and downs that see the Trio are sticking to the formula of old but are also experimenting with something new showing an evolution of their sound from previous records. So how does this rank in the Alkaline Trio album rankings? It's too early to judge it's a damn good effort and I am sure it will be a grower that gets better with every listen.....only time will tell!
'Is This Thing Cursed?' is out now on CD with the LP coming on 19th October UK/Europe 180g Black Vinyl - https://uk.kingsroadmerch.com/alkaline-trio/view/?id=12916&cid=1268 Black/Bone Vinyl (indie exclusive) - https://www.banquetrecords.com/alkaline-trio/is-this-thing-cursed%3F/ATLP9 USA 180g Opaque Green Vinyl - https://kingsroadmerch.com/alkaline-trio/view/?id=14217&cid=1270
