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WEEK IN REVIEW
Thursday


PETA activist creates her own circus on Everett...
Obama nomination an 'event of a lifetime' for many
Stranded teen hikers rescued from peak east of ...
Wednesday


Excitement for 2010 Olympics builds on both sid...
Sale of bills mocking Obama cut off at GOP fair...
WASL: Most incoming juniors pass reading, writi...
Tuesday


2-year sentence in Ecstasy drug death
Heroin took life of bright teen from Mukilteo
24 centenarians set a record for the ages
Monday


Boeing Machinists stand firm
Local delegates ready to make history at Denver...
Shorter WASL exams ahead for students in most g...
Sunday


The Tulalips' rapid rise took a lot more than luck
Rain cancels Four Tops, Temptations concert at ...
Edmonds man dies in one-car accident near Marth...
Saturday


Steer clear, police say
Leaks in Gold Bar's finances exposed in audit
Cesarean section rates climbing in Washington s...
Friday


State fair opens with style in Monroe
Everett landlord now says he won't house sex of...
Behind the scenes at the fair
 

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CONTACT THE HERALD
Melanie Munk, Features Editor
munk@heraldnet.com
 
Published: Monday, June 30, 2008

Liner notes: Alkaline Trio review

The new album from Alkaline Trio is expected in stores Tuesday.

"Agony & Irony" Alkaline Trio

WHY CARE? After palilng around on indie labels for a decade, Chicago's second biggest emo-punk band -- after Fall Out Boy -- make the leap to a major label for its sixth studio album.

TRIVIA: Lead singer and guitarist Matt Skiba, who has discussed his membership in the Church of Satan, has a penchant for dark puns. Songs on the new album include "Live Young, Die Fast," and "In Vein," a track sung by bassist Dan Andriano.

HIGH POINT: The album opens with the solid one-two punch of "Calling All Skeletons" and lead single "Help Me." Both are loaded with guitar and hooks; the studio trickery and keyboard effects that marked the group's last album has mostly evaporated.

FANS ALSO LIKE: Punk rock, bad puns, black eyeliner.

ANDY SAYS: While Alkaline Trio remains the dark yin to Fall Out Boy's yang, most of the gloom comes out in the lyrics. The songs have easy-to-approach pop hooks, and the album itself opens with hand claps. While "Agony & Irony" runs out of steam by its close, overall, the group's sound remains intact on its Epic Records debut.

GRADE: B minus



Andy Rathbun, Herald Columnist, arathbun@heraldnet.com, 425-339-3455

1. PETA activist creates her own circus on Everett street corner
2. Stranded teen hikers rescued from peak east of Granite Falls
3. Boeing makes final offer to Machinists
4. Edmonds man admits to Silvertips raffle theft
5. Twice as many local schools make federal watch list
6. Home movie: Snohomish native has leading role in an indie film on location in his hometown
7. Boeing sweetens offer to Machinists, retiree medical benefits safe
8. Mile-long pipes will take a boat trip
9. Former jail guard sent to jail for assault
10. Business briefly: Machinists rally in Everett over talks
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Mill Creek man robs Rite Aid pharmacy, demands cash and drugs
Are red-light cameras coming to Edmonds?
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