Alkaline Trio – This Addiction

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(c)2010 Heart and Skull / Epitaph Records
[rating:4/5]

I’ve got a soft spot for Alkaline Trio. I’ve been listening to them for the better part of the last 12 years. After I first heard Goddamnit I was hooked. I have to admit that after they left Asianman Records I got a little disenchanted. Not that I begrudge them the popularity and a little recognition for their hard work, and don’t get me wrong major labels are a collective bag of douche, but I don’t blame A3 for that. However when I heard they were starting their own Heart and Skull label in conjunction with Epitaph I was relieved. I hoped that things might get back a bit closer to the earlier days. I heard that that the new release was going to rock it a bit harder. Well I finally got a copy of This Addiction and I’m fairly convinced that the rumors I heard were right. The 11 tracks are more reminiscent of something around From Here to Infirmary. The content has a little more edge and a little less emo to it. For fans of the more downtrodden of A3’s work, don’t be disappointed (or do, if that is what you’re into) I’m just saying that they brought it back a bit, but this time with a lot bigger production. There are lot more layers to the songs and a lot more variety. The zip of track two, “Dine, Dine my Darling” is refreshing. So are the 80’s keyboard sounds on “Eating Me Alive”. Hell there is even a horn track on the also up-tempo track three, “Lead Poisoning”. When it’s all said and done you know this is Alkaline Trio, but it’s an Alkaline Trio that seems somehow revitalized. This Addiction is well worth it.

–Jerry Actually

Alkaline Trio – This Addiction Tour

ALKALINE TRIO ANNOUNCE TOUR WITH CURSIVE
IN SUPPORT OF THIS ADDICTION

December 22, 2009 – Los Angeles, CA – As anticipation builds for their Epitaph Records/Heart & Skull debut, seminal punk rockers Alkaline Trio have announced plans for a US headlining tour with indie rock band Cursive, in support of their forthcoming studio album, This Addiction, which is due out February 23.

Beginning December 22nd at 10AM local venue time, fans will be given the chance to get a discounted pre-order of This Addiction with a presale through Ticketmaster.com OR Ducatking.com, depending on the market. A list of dates are below with the corresponding presale option next them.

Since emerging in 1996, Alkaline Trio have become one of the punk rock’s most progressive and unique bands of the last decade, commanding an enormous cult following with six fan-adored albums and relentless world-wide touring. This Addiction is the next chapter in the band’s celebrated career.

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Alkaline Trio Tour Dates:
Feb 16 – Pomona, CA – Glass House
Feb 17 – Los Angeles, CA – House of Blues (Sunset)
Feb 18 – San Francisco, CA – Regency Ballroom
Feb 19 – Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom
Feb 20 – Seattle, WA – Neumo’s
Feb 23 – Boise, ID – Knitting Factory
Feb 24 – Salt Lake City, UT – In the Venue
Feb 25 – Denver, CO – Gothic Theatre
Feb 26 – Lawrence, KS – Granada Theater
Feb 27 – Chicago, IL – Metro
Feb 28 – Chicago, IL – Metro
March 2 – Royal Oak, MI – Royal Oak
March 3 – Columbus, OH – Newport Music Hall
March 4 – Cleveland, OH – House of Blues
March 5 – Pittsburgh, PA – Club Zoo
March 6 – Toronto, ON – Phoenix Concert Theatre
March 8 – Clifton Park, NY – Northern Light
March 9 – Hartford, CT – Webster Theatre
March 11 – Philadelphia, PA – Tracadero
March 12 – New York, NY – Nokia Theatre
March 13 – Sayreville, NJ – Starland
March 14 – Providence, RI – Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel
March 16 – Towson, MD – Recher Theatre
March 17 – Charlotte, NC – Amos’ Southend
March 18 – Charleston, SC – Music Farm
March 19 – Atlanta, GA – Masquerade
March 20 – Jacksonville Beach, FL – Freebird Live
March 22 – Orlando, FL – House of Blues
March 23 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL – Revolution
March 25 – New Orleans, LA – House of Blues
March 26 – Houston, TX – Warehouse Live
March 27 – Dallas, TX – Palladium Ballroom
March 28 – Austin, TX – Emo’s
March 30 – Tempe, AZ – The Marquee
April 1 – San Diego, CA – House of Blues
April 2 – Los Angeles – House of Blues

For More Information:
www.alkalinetrio.com
www.myspace.com/alkalinetrio
www.epitaph.com