Ever since the Ramones drank bleach and belched their three-chord burps of songs all over hordes of unwashed fans, there has always been a big place in the public heart for bands like Alkaline Trio. From The Sex Pistols to Green Day to their bratty offspring, it seems there will never be a shortage of. No strangers to compilation albums and split discs with other bands, Alkaline Trio releases a collection of b-sides, rarities and live tracks with Remains. Usually, the first thing that comes to mind whenever hearing the term 'b-side' is 'Oh yeah. It's a throwaway track.' Not this time. Much of the material. Formed by ex-Jerkwater and Traitors drummer Matt Skiba (vocals/guitar), former 88 Fingers Louie percussionist Glenn Porter, and Rob Doran (bass/vocals), Alkaline Trio was brought together in 1997 by heartbreak, angst, and the companionship of drinking. The original lineup issued a short EP, For Your.
A sure way to tell the quality of a band is to listen to their collection of b-side tracks, which in today's age of media saturation, can almost invariably be found on a single compilation disc somewhere. Anthrax's Attack of the Killer Bs, Green Day's Shenanigans, Pearl Jam's Lost Dogs, and NOFX's 45 or 46 Songs That Weren't Good Enough to Go on Our Other Records are all examples of compilation discs that are good enough to stand on their own merits. Add, the latest release from, to that list. The collection of b-sides, EP tracks and international releases from the Chicago-based punk band is good enough that those who do not know a lot about the band may not know it's a compilation. Those who are fans of the band will probably not even have all the tunes included here. A winning scenario for everyone is the end result of an album that was pieced together from bits and pieces of a multitude of other records. What makes this record so good is that from start to finish, it is classic Alkaline Trio.
Their bread and butter--songs that speak of broken relationships and depression that are handled with bitterness and acrimony instead of crying and sorrow--can be found strewn all over this album. In fact, it is the fact that Alkaline Trio can do this without sounding similar from song to song that makes them a solid band. One example is the track 'Jaked on Green Beers.' Singer/guitar player Matt Skiba sings, 'It's been a long time since I've been close to you.
It's been a long time since I've been sad. It's been a while since I've really spent time with you. I wish I could take back the times that I've had. The only thing that you ever really did for me is make me oh so miserable. And the hope that I never see your face again is anything but questionable. I hope this is goodbye.'
In addition to their trademark tracks, Alkaline Trio has also added some cover tunes to the record. Among the covers is 'Rooftops', a cover of the Hot Water Music song that Alkaline Trio released on the split series disc with the post-hardcore band. Also on the docket of covers is the song 'Metro' which Alkaline Trio borrowed from 80s new wave band Berlin. Subtle background additions to the track give it a classic Alkaline Trio edge. The band even penned 'Sadie', an ode to Susan Atkins, infamous member of the Manson Family. The track is haunting and is even sprinkled with actual testimony from the trial for effect.
Remains finishes with a trio of live tracks, appropriately enough. While the individual tracks on Remains may have been recorded over a period of years and never meant to be compiled and packaged together, it is a testament to the songwriters of Alkaline Trio that such a varied group of songs could come together so easily and fit so well with each other. Definitely Download: 1. 'Metro' 2. 'Hell Yes' 3. 'Warbrain' 4. 'We Can Never Break Up' 5. 'Fine Without You' 6. 'Jaked on Green Beers' 7. 'Queen of Pain'.