Three years of hush-hush. Alkaline Trio‘s new album is like a warm hug, even though, post-album shenanigans, we wave goodbye to Derek Grant, the drumming heartthrob, only to welcome Atom Willard, our newest beat magician. But hold your tears; let’s shelf the farewells for now. Sure, there’s a misty-eyed moment acknowledging the end of an era, but guess what? Amid those sentimental goodbyes, the sun rises for something new, and mouth-dropping begins. Alkaline Trio is back, baby! And the joy bubbling up in my soul? It’s off the happiness charts.
Blood, Hair, and Eyeballs starts with the turbo-charged “Hot For Preacher,” and is swiftly followed by “Meet Me,” delivering a double dose of infectious tracks with lyrics you won’t easily forget. “Hot For Preacher” cranks the tempo, while “Meet Me” keeps it cool with a mid-tempo vibe. But Skiba can’t fool us, “Meet Me” hits home as another one of Skiba’s enchanting love songs. It’s got haunting backing vocals and lyrics so fucking well-written that I can’t stop playing it on repeat.
Let’s throw some love at “Bad Time,” the track that’s practically a goosebump factory. Skiba’s vocal game has been on point throughout the entire album, but this song here? It’s as if I had never heard Skiba before; he came and went hard. And honey, it felt so good. Not that the album lacks solid vocal performances. There’s just that extra magic in this song. “Scars,” the bass and guitar creating a harmonic eighth wonder? That’s the sweet spot for me. Then comes “Shake With Me,” where Skiba unleashes his vocal prowess, reaching a pinnacle of downright awesomeness. And he steps back and lets Andriano take the pre-chorus towards the end, and together, they go all in, steering the song straight home. They had no business going this hard, but we’re here for it. And as the final curtain falls, “Teenage Heart“ takes the stage, tackling gun violence, drug addiction, loneliness, and a whole lot more. The album wraps up, leaving us with a lingering mix of intensity and emotion.
It’s a delight to welcome Alkaline Trio back into the scene and review their new album. They have always marched to their rhythm, ensuring they’re a one-of-a-kind musical trio. Whether it’s Skiba’s distinctive songwriting finesse or Andriano’s knack for making the bass pop, as it splendidly does on this album, they’ve got that special sauce. And hey, big kudos to Derek Grant, the drumming maestro who, after an impressive 22 years, decided to hit the pause button. The album is nothing short of remarkable, showcasing their undeniable growth.
Blood, Hair, and Eyeballs feels like the natural progression after six years in the making and might be their best album to date. They flexed their musical muscles, and I’m here for every bit of it.