Alkaline Trio: From Here To Infirmary : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone

Album Reviews

Not all current punk rock is of the cartoon variety, despite the Offspring and Blink-182's goofiest efforts. Chicago outfit Alkaline Trio come from a slightly darker place; on their third effort, From Here to Infirmary, they deliver catchy punk pop with sharp elbows and a wry sense of humor. Opening with the fierce, almost metallic "Private Eye," the Trio - guitarist Matt Skiba, bassist Dan Andriano and ex-Smoking Popes drummer Mike Felumlee - lay waste to old relationships and drink hard over a barrage of three-chord nastiness. What saves them from the gutter are some effortless hooks and Skiba's hysterical lyrics. "If assholes could fly/This place would be busier than O'Hare," he sneers on the midtempo "You're Dead." Somewhere, Joey Ramone is smiling. (RS 870 - June 7, 2001)

MATT HENDRICKSON