There are certain bands and songs that just hit differently depending on the time of year. As fall weather hits, and autumn and Halloween approaches, it is always a good time to re-visit Alkaline Trio’s discography. Below are the 13 (appropriate number considering the band’s aesthetic) best Alk3 songs.
13. “Burn”
Trying to modernize the concept of the goth-punk classic like The Damned’s “Black Album,” the incorporation of electronic elements, more keys, and increased experimentation on “Crimson” makes for one of the more mature efforts. “Burn” is a fine representation on what they band was striving for - big rock songs.
12. “Emma”
Dan Andriano is one of the best bass players in emo/ punk. (Photo by Mike Damante)
Lyrically, Alkaline Trio has always been nose over tail above its peers, and the words carefully chosen on “Emma” read like pure poetry.
“A poinsettia in poison rain...
Traded true love for insult and injury
We washed it down the drain with
One silver bullet and two vicodin
And we watched the sun fall crown
On a city that sleeps in a world upside down
A slow ticket straight out of town
You went out with a bang when you took
With you all my dreams underground”
11. “Clavicle”
An unlikely love song from the band’s fan-favorite first album “Goddamnit,” “Clavicle” did not sound out of the place next on a mixtape with blink-182, New Found Glory, Descendents and The Ataris.
10. “Radio”
Maybe the band’s most-popular song, “Radio” has a distressed 1990s alternative feel to it at first, before an emotionally raw chorus that punches the listener in the face. The imagery is strong with lines like “shaking like a dog shitting razor blades,” and “leaving the coal calling the kettle black and orange and red,
this kettle is seeing red.” There’s a reason why it resonates with so many fans.
9. “My Friend Peter”
As the band was coming up in the Chicago scene, this song mixed with alcohol served as an ailment to many broken and mended hearts. It almost feels like a religious experience seeing fans scream back “and then I'll drink 23 more to wipe this stupid smile off my (expletive) face” when “My Friend Peter” is played live.
8. “Take Lots With Alcohol”
On “From Here To Infirmary,” Alkaline Trio’s Vagrant Records era sound put the band on the pop-punk map. MTV and radio took notice to songs like “Stupid Kid,” but “Take Lots With Alcohol” is a hidden gem that nicely shows their new-found pop sensibilities.
7. “Warbrain”
Some of the band’s best songs are B-sides, singles, and unreleased tracks that is evident on their rarities album “Remains,” which holds its own next to most of the band’s studio albums. “Warbrain” for Fat Wreck Chords’ “Rock Against Bush” compilation is a true testament to the band’s ability to put their best effort into songwriting.
6. “I Lied My Face Off”
From song titles to lyrical content, early on Alkaline Trio was able to capture the macabre moods sometimes subtlety, and other times more deliberate. One of the band’s earliest songs from “The Alkaline Trio” compilations record, really showed that even back then, they were on a different level than their pop-punk peers.
5. “Armageddon”
A driving punk-rock anthem about the end of the world from the poppy and gloomy “From Here To Infirmary,” “Armageddon” is a definitive song for this era of the band.
4. “Every Thug Needs A lady”
Derek Grant’s skill adds new element to the band. (Photo by Mike Damante)
“Good Mourning” mixed Matt Skiba’s dark, depressed songs with Dan Andriano’s more uplifting efforts, which made for an accidentally brilliant blend of light and dark. “Every Thug Needs A Lady” is a perfect love song, and the acoustic rendition has been many fans wedding song (this writer included ).
3. “We’ve Had Enough”
Drummer Derek Grant’s addition to Alkaline Trio helped elevate the band’s sound- now they had a third songwriter. Listen to the opening drum roll of “We’ve Had Enough” as proof you can take some of the most powerful punk rock anthems, and improve without straying too far from what the Ramones created.
2. “Old School Reasons”
Some of the best Alkaline Trio songs have Skiba and Andriano alternating vocals, and this rare barn-burner from the “Oil” comp from Thick Records is the Trio on top of its game .Is there such a thing as a perfect punk rock song? Yup, and “Old School Reasons” is it.
1. “Private Eye”
The opening track of “From Here To Infirmary” showed the darker side of pop-punk, but also a glimpse into the genius of Skiba. If one song could encapsulate all what Alkaline Trio is about from the poetic approach to lyrics, the dark aesthetic, and sing-along moments,“Private Eye” is that anthem.
-MIKE DAMANTE
Top 13 Alkaline Trio songs Spotify playlist
If you are a fan of pop-punk, Mike Damante’s latest book “Hey Suburbia: A guide to the emo/pop-punk rise” is out now, and features interviews with Alkaline Trio, blink-182. Descendents, New Found Glory and others.
BONUS:
Mike Damante interviews with Alkaline Trio
-Skiba on surfing , Skiba on motorcycles
-Warped Tour interview with Skiba
-”My Shame Is True” press with Andriano
-Houston Chronicle Houston show preview/interview with Skiba