Alkaline Trio

Alkaline Trio: GoddamnitGoddamnit (1998)
Asian Man Records

Reviewer Rating: 5

User Rating:

Contributed by: Matt81Matt81
(others by this writer | submit your own)
Published on July 14th 2001Well hell, where do I begin? Anyone who has heard this CD should know what I am talking about. This is, without a doubt, one of the best CD’s I have ever heard. EVER. First off, I know nothing about technical aspects of music. I am probably the last person that should ever try to re.

Well hell, where do I begin? Anyone who has heard this CD should know what I am talking about. This is, without a doubt, one of the best CD’s I have ever heard. EVER. First off, I know nothing about technical aspects of music. I am probably the last person that should ever try to review an album. However, this does not mean that I do not know good music when I hear it. And believe me, this is good music. There is not one song that I skip over when I listen to this record.

I remember when I first heard this album. I had previously bought the Asian Man sampler, “Mail Order Is Still Fun”, and recollected that I was impressed with one song in particular. Alkaline Trio’s “Cringe” had me hooked from the moment I first heard it. So I decided to head over to the A’s, picked up “Goddamnit” and took a moment to listen to it.

And I was completely blown away.

I had NEVER heard anything like this before. Melodic guitars and catchy bass lines interwoven with the most poetic and haunting lyrics I have ever heard (with the exception of “Cop” of course. nothing too poetic there). What appeals to me is the way that I can relate to what Matt and Dan are singing about. Every single song on here reminds me of my own life in some way or fashion. Whenever I listen to this album, I think of memories long past and how I felt back then. This nostalgic feeling keeps me coming back to this record constantly and it’s something I think that most people can relate to as well. The one thing that stands out the most in my mind are the duel vocals of Matt Skiba and Dan Andriano. Matt has a higher, clear voice, which compliments his melodic guitar style while Dan has a lower, gruffer sounding voice. Neither one upstages the other. Both are tremendous singers. People might listen to this record and say that the sound quality is nowhere near as up to par as with “Maybe I’ll Catch Fire” or “From Here To Infirmary”. However, I tend to like the sub-par recording rather than the clearer, crisp recordings that the Trio has worked with in more recent years. It tends to add a bit more character to their music and makes it seem more familiar when you hear it. I remember being somewhat disappointed when “Maybe I’ll Catch Fire” came out and I didn’t hear that characteristic grainy sound. It reminds me of a time where you could go see the Trio at shows where you didn’t have to deal with stupid kids moshing and crowd-surfing to their music. Not that I’m against those things, but I just don’t see why you’d do it at an Alkaline Trio concert. I’d rather just enjoy the music without getting an elbow or foot in the face.

The Alkaline Trio opened up a whole new world for me. From listening to generic skate punk like NOFX, Millencolin, Ten Foot Pole, NUFAN, Pennywise, etc., I went to bands like Hot Water Music, Thursday, Saves The Day (I might catch some flack for that one, heh heh), Leatherface, and the godlike Small Brown Bike. Nothing against the other bands (NOFX is still #1 in my book), but I don’t know where I’d be without the latter bands. Especially Small Brown Bike.

It is INCREDIBLY hard to pick out the best songs on this album cuz they’re all so good. But if I had to choose I would say: Message From Kathlene, As You Were, San Francisco, Trouble Breathing, and Clavicle. Hell, I just named about half the album.

Everyone needs to do themselves a favor and go buy this album. Then buy everything else that the Alkaline Trio has ever put out. I guarantee you will not be disappointed.

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

nahbro (June 5, 2012)

This album is ok. It could use more Satanic references and reverb though.

devianter (October 18, 2010)

best pop punk album ever made. doesn't even sound pop to me.

TheViz (September 10, 2009)

"Sorry About That" jerks my heartstrings every time. Easily my favorite trio album, one of the best pop punk albums ever made (in my opinion). I only wish that "Enjoy Your Day" wasn't on it, so I could put it on my list of perfect albums.

eatdogs (September 7, 2009)

most bands wish they could write an album like this...

andburntherest (March 1, 2009)

This album defined my late teens and early twenties. I still listen to it often and I can't think of a single album I am more fond of.

DevilCuite2 (January 23, 2009)

I love these guys they rock

goodbye_kid (November 22, 2008)

It's just incrediable. I fell in love with alk3 after this album. It's perfect.

sheesh (August 22, 2008)

Favorite album of all time, period.

scientistrock (April 25, 2008)

"Then buy everything else that the Alkaline Trio has ever put out. I guarantee you will not be disappointed."

Perhaps these words were spoken too soon?

Bet I'm the first to say it. I'm way too lazy to check.

TommyPickles (March 20, 2008)

Not bad but I have to go with From Here to Infirmary

tmfxjohn (January 28, 2008)

this really is an excellent album. one of my favorites. looking forward to the reissue

antonehenry (November 21, 2007)

the reviewer doesn't do this masterpiece justice. not that i will give it some in this little comment, but Goddammit! punches you in the face and then makes you want to enter a homosexual relationship with the band. If you ever want to make a great mood greater, pop this on and sing at the top of your lungs. Then cry to release all the beautiful emotion.

Donkeykongjr (September 8, 2007)

thats cool that the reviewer makes no suggestion of having to like this or old school punk, open minded-ness is a lacking aspect of a lot of independent music scenes, and helps shitty bands get ahead for being narrow minded (cough donnybrook)

i-hate-winnipeg (July 21, 2007)

shit i need to hear this now...

mike_litt69 (February 13, 2007)

so good

pinkerton (November 12, 2006)

this record never gets old. i got this in high school when it came out, and i still think its great.

noway (November 9, 2006)

i liked From here to Infirmary the best...still pretty good

peaceonmars (June 8, 2006)

This album is amazing, pretty much Cringe and Cop are the best.

Smithy (June 8, 2006)

This is my favourite and probably most listened to album of all time! Although Crimson is more musically advanced and they've obviously evolved, this album is just more...fun. Fun to listen to, fun to sing along to. My only problem with this album is that Dan only sings two songs!

someone-yeah (May 8, 2006)

Cringe is destined to be on every mix tape/cd/betamax I make for as long as I live. Total classic.

Godfather (September 26, 2005)

It doesn't get any better than this...

MaxTheGreat11 (May 16, 2005)

what an amazing album

Anonymous (April 21, 2005)

great album...... even after so many years

i still listen to it

Anonymous (March 30, 2004)

The Trio does rock, and they do it so much better than all the other bands that can' t write a damb song without taking time to actually think of good lyrics. I have been writting songs for years and this album compleatley changed my aproach to song writting. I think this guy could not have written a better post on this album.

Anonymous (August 20, 2003)

This cd is one of the best cd's ever made. There newer stuff pales in comparison to the shit on this record. The bass lines are perfect on this record. The drums weave well with the bass to create the perfect rythym section. AHHH if only the trio could go back to playing songs like with this much emotion or the songs on maybe i'll catch fire. GOOD FUCKING DISC

Anonymous (May 12, 2003)

this album is the fucking shit!!! i love these guys and this cd pretty much turned me into an alkline trio freak!!! i love these guys and can not wait til tommoarw the 13 of may to get Good Mourning.. anyways i love this cd if i had my way i would give this a 20 out of 10(no i am not retarded i just love thiem so much..) anywho al the songs are great my little needle great trouble breathing great, there are so many great songs i can't name them all. i highly highly sudjest listioning to this cd..it is a great one also i sudjest listioning to maybe i'll catch fire, or any of the other trio cds. keep rockin'

Anonymous (April 21, 2003)

This band is awesome, but this is definitely their worst album. Only good songs are the first 4, Clavicle, and the last one. Good Mourning, and Maybe I'll Catch Fire are definitely worth it though.

Anonymous (March 12, 2003)

Best Review about the best album ever. Great job Matt that review was amazing. All of ALk3 CDS are amazing and the best songs are. Trucks n trains and Radio and This is Getting Over you.

punkboy_1 (February 7, 2003)

m pesonl fvrite alkaline cd. every son is good. its also a lot faster then there others.

Anonymous (February 5, 2003)

i agree 100% with this... people moshing at trio shows is just stupid. Trio is my fav. band ever and when people kick me in the face or somehting wehn im trying to hear my idols do something i wanna do when i get older it makes me mad. moshing at trio shows is dumb. and this album is AWESOME i will never stop listening to it ever. its the best trio album ever but the other ones are still great and i listen to those all the time to.

Anonymous (January 20, 2003)

this album is excellent, my second favorite of theirs (the first being self-titled). leatherface is awesome and so are small brown bike. i am glad you started listening to them

Anonymous (January 3, 2003)

This is the best CD i have ever purchased

irish_joo (December 11, 2002)

The same change happened with me. Except it was Hot Water Music and the Lawrence arms that changed my tastes.

Anonymous (May 5, 2002)

Never heard anything like this band before. They sound an awful lot like face to face to me. Skiba's voice is the only thing that keeps this band from the heights of mediocrity. The sound is very face to face (live) like. They are a decent band but nothing too original.

Anonymous (February 17, 2002)

cop is the best alk 3 song ever. stupid kid is second. then song number 7 off on the fire one

DrNo (September 4, 2001)

This is one of the most frequently listened to cds that i own. Matt Skiba has the best voice and he writes the darkest lyrics around. As i listen to the new Saves The Day, the lyrics seem to mirror Matt Skiba and i wonder if in fact STD was listening to A3 when they were recording. I love this cd and A3 is one my favorite bands.

guitarer1c2 (August 21, 2001)

Alk3 played at one Warped Tour show because the Blink 182 tour, which they were on, met up with Warped in Somerset, WI. It was a sweet show and Alkaline Trio rocked!

Anonymous (July 17, 2001)

They are Warped as we speak, I believe.

Anonymous (July 17, 2001)

since when did Alk3 play warped?

Anonymous (July 16, 2001)

This album is superb. Although I think their other albums are equally superb, this one always carry's a certain edge, dont know whether it is screaming "i want to rub your back" through Nose over Tail, or the shivers that get sent down my spine when I hear Enjoy Your Day. Every Song is superb, this is in my opinion is an all time classic
It is just a shame Alkaline Trio never come to UK :) Come to UK Alkaline Trio :)

Anonymous (July 15, 2001)

This is a great CD...and so is the band. They rocked at Warped!

layawayplan (July 15, 2001)

Good CD, but I really don't think it deserves 5 stars. There are actually days when I enjoy Maybe I'll Catch Fire more.
And that's a FUCK YES on Small Brown Bike. They rule.

maverick (July 14, 2001)

You hit the nail right on the fucking head. This album made me believe that punk was alive and well again. It is worth 5 stars without a doubt, as I still have a hard time prying it out of my CD player. Nothing the band has done since has come close to the perfection of this. I dare anyone to listen to "Enjoy Your Day" and not be moved. I love this CD.
-Scott