Alkaline Trio – Blood, Hair, and Eyeballs
Alkaline Trio return with their tenth album. Have they succeeded in reigniting? Or is this just a cold imitation of the AK3 of old?
If you grew up with Alkaline Trio, realising that it’s been over 25 years since the cursed pop-punk three-piece’s debut – and that they’re now considered veterans – might make you wince at your advancing years. Blood, Hair, and Eyeballs is the band's tenth album, and perhaps unsurprisingly, they’re returning to their roots for this auspicious milestone. Have they succeeded in reigniting? Or is this just a cold imitation of the AK3 of old?
The first clue is the scuzzy riff that drives the opening track – Hot For Preacher. The clanging, rolling bass on Meet Me is the second, and after eleven tracks of slick harmonies, rasping instrumentals and earworm melodies, the answer becomes obvious: this is a glorious return, not a soulless re-hash. There’s the fire of Goddamnit, the hooks of From Here to Infirmary, and the irresistible vocal duets of Good Mourning and Crimson. Admittedly, these songs rarely reach the joyous highs of the best AK3 albums, but the likes of Bad Time, Break, and Teenage Heart come pretty close.
For a band at this stage in their career, Blood, Hair, and Eyeballs is a surprisingly solid return. Die-hard fans will love it regardless, but if you haven’t checked in with AK3 for a while – now's the time. They still have their spark.
Listen to: Bad Time, Break, Teenage Heart