Addicted to Shows

July 18, 2008 by A2S

Agony and Irony by Alkaline Trio

I’ve been listening to Alkaline Trio for a couple of years now and I love the darkness and sadisticness to their music and lyrics. They’ve been made infamous for their references of sin (“Hell Yes”), failed love (“Blue In The Face”) and emptiness (“I Was A Prayer”).

Alkaline Trio let on to Alternative Press Magazine that Agony and Irony would be a throw back to their older stuff. I don’t think I can agree with that. The lyrics are still self-deprocating, even including an acoustic version of “Maybe I’ll Catch Fire” on the iTunes bonus version. However, the music lacks the darkness from Crimson, Good Mourning, or really much of their other stuff. It has a much lighter, poppy feel that creates a much more genaric rock sound than I’m used to hearing from Alkaline Trio. The vocals are still very unique and if you look past the music, you’ll find the sadistic and masochistic lyrics you love. You’ll no doubt still be able to pick out a Trio song any day, but while I enjoy Agony and Irony, especially “Love Love, Kiss Kiss” and the single “Help Me,” I expected a little more from such a great band.

Say It Twice’s Jetset Trends EP

July 17, 2008 by Brianna

Jetset Trends EP by Say It Twice

With most of my favorite bands finishing up tours and going back to the studio there hasn’t been any new music to listen to really. So, in an effort to satiate my musical hunger, I set out on a long quest for fresh music and bands that I could listen to for a long time. It took me hours, but I found these guys called Say It Twice and I thought that I should bring attention to them and their music. They definitely brought a different sound to their Jetset Trends EP, which is available now on Smartpunk.com.

Their use of the synthesizers like in their new single, “Room on Fire”, was simply mesmerizing as you become so engulfed by the rhythm and start dancing almost automatically. Not only do their songs make you dance, but their amazing lyrical content that can tug on your heart strings. I loved the emotion that came out in their songs like “Always, Always” and one of my favorites off the album, “Your Way Home”. You can sense the conflict in the song and the sadness that grows in you as you listen on to this sad tale of letting someone go.

It’s easy to understand that with beats that are infectious and lyrics that people can connect with, Say It Twice is definitely a band to watch for. You can catch these guys on Warped Tour in August.

*photo of band from band’s myspace*

July, 2008

Alkaline Trio’s Agony and Irony

Say It Twice’s Jetset Trends EP