By By Madeline Kerins

Let’s just get a few things straight here. The Alkaline Trio has not sold out. The Alkaline Trio has not become a different band (musically, at least). They also have not failed their fans in producing their latest disc, which would complement any fan’s CD collection.

Two years ago, when Matt Skiba and Dan Andriano added drummer Derek Grant to the band and released Good Mourning, people began to question their ability as a band. They became the mockery of indie hipsters and hardcore scene kids, even though huge amounts of the aforementioned losers could be seen at Alkaline Trio shows, enjoying every moment knowing all the lyrics. Liars. Back to setting this straight-the Alkaline Trio rock, and you shouldn’t have to be ashamed to like them. This CD, if anything, is proof of that.

Though it is definitely different from their earlier works, probably evidenced by the fact that the trio has gone through more drummers than fellow pop punkers Blink182, the material on this album is in no way mainstream. This is why its quite strange for people to call them sellouts; they don’t have radio singles, they don’t play sold out concert tours (most of the time, anyway) and most people’s reaction is being creeped out by either their CD booklet, appearance or lyrics. This is not the makings of a mainstream band in the least.

Rants aside, their latest disc, Crimson, should live up to a genuine fan’s expectations, if not surpassing them. Picking up beautifully where Good Mourning left off, they have begun to become comfortable with Grant on the drums, and it’s evident. These tracks are definitely tighter than Good Mourning’s, but the two discs accompany each other wonderfully. The first single, “Time to Waste,” is sure to be well accepted-as is the inclusion of the track “Sadie,” featured on the split disc the trio did with One Man Army, released last summer. That gave fans the first preview of the sound to expect on Crimson.

Other notable tracks include basically the whole album, sans the somewhat strange “Prevent This Tragedy.” As with most Alkaline Trio discs, this won’t appeal to the average fan or casual listener, but really would be better suited for longtime fans or those seeking something different than the norm. All in all, the Trio has done a fantastic job incorporating new with old, and it works well.

The Chronicle gives ´Crimson´ by Alkaline Trio four 1/2 out of five stars.