For some reason, pop punk as a genre just hasn't been too exciting in the past few years. The same bands that were going strong before Green Day became huge are still plugging away, making pretty much the same record over and over. The groups that ended up on major labels as part of the signing binge that immediately followed the Dookie boys' breakthrough success each made one record that didn't sell squat, and their members are currently seeking employment at Long John Silver's. One band that defies both pop-punk stereotypes is the Alkaline Trio. This Chicago-based group performs its poppy punk with a lack of self-consciousness that helps make it special in a sea of stale one-trick ponies. Featuring singer-guitarist Matt Skiba's vocals (ranging from comfortable croon to hellfire-scorched pipes), the Alkaline Trio is a hot band, having recently released Maybe I'll Catch Fire. This CD is chock-full of sarcastically dark love songs -- complete with spite that rings so loud that all of your exes will call you the minute you put on the record and will complain you're playing it too loud before you even notice you're listening to it on headphones. Touring pretty much nonstop, the Alkaline Trio is one of the best bands you've probably never heard. Catch them catching fire at The Replay Lounge this Thursday night, with Penultimate! providing the opening spark.
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