Epitaph – Release Date: 2/23/10

This Addiction is unequivocally the homecoming or return to form album that it’s been widely hailed to be. Released on the band’s own Heart & Skull label, (an imprint of Epitaph) and recorded by producer Matt Allison, (who helmed the boards for the band’s first three records) This Addiction serves to remind listeners as to why they fell in love with Alkaline Trio in the first place. On the one hand, there’s the return of the sincere and heartfelt lyrics, and on the other is the somewhat simplistic yet catchy songwriting that can’t help but demand frequent, recurrent listens. The disc begins with the title track, a swift and speedy number sung by guitarist Matt Skiba that sounds like a melding of previous Trio tunes “My Friend Peter” and “Armageddon”. The second song, “Dine, Dine My Darling”, sees bassist Dan Andriano assume lead vocal responsibilities, resulting in a melodious entry that evokes Warning-era Green Day. Track three features an unexpected horn solo that brightens and enhances the overall effort, while the fourth song, “Dead on the Floor”, is likely the pinnacle of the entire album and one of the greatest Alk3 songs of all-time. “Off the Map” and “Fine” are quality and quintessential Danny-penned anthems, whereas “Eating Me Alive” and “Piss and Vinegar” are straight-ahead rockers that showcase the finer elements of Skiba’s song-crafting abilities. The deluxe edition includes six bonus songs, not to mention a DVD of the band’s 2008 performance at the House of Blues Las Vegas, making it definitely worth the retail price. Arguably their best album behind Goddamnit and From Here to Infirmary, This Addiction is a true “return to roots” and simply a must-have.