Agony & Irony

Agony & Irony is the sixth studio album and major label debut by American punk rock band Alkaline Trio,[2] released July 1, 2008, on Epic Records.

Agony & Irony
Studio album by
Alkaline Trio
ReleasedJuly 1, 2008
Genre
Length39:42
LabelEpic
ProducerJosh Abraham
Alkaline Trio chronology
Remains
(2007)		 Agony & Irony
(2008)		 This Addiction
(2010)
Singles from Agony & Irony
  1. "Help Me"
    Released: April 28, 2008
  2. "Over and Out"
    Released: October 21, 2008

Background

On October 12, 2006, the band announced they had signed with major label V2 Records. In addition, it was mentioned that the band was working on new songs, and was aiming to record a new album in early 2007.[4] However, in January 2007, V2 went through a restructuring process which left the fate of its acts unknown.[5] Drummer Derek Grant said the band had 18 songs, which they were in the process of demoing in Los Angeles, California. Though, they were expecting to record their next album in April 2007,[6] each member was focused elsewhere: Skiba with Heavens and touring with Chuck Ragan, Andriano as a studio musician, and Grant writing R&B songs while constructing a studio.[7][8] On May 28, 2007, the group announced they had signed to another major label, Epic Records.[9] Three days later, "Fire Down Below" was posted on the band's Myspace profile.[10] They performed on that year's Warped Tour for two weeks; they debuted a new track, titled "In Vein".[11][12] Following these dates, the band entered the studio to work on their next album.[13] Recording began in early 2008; the proceedings were documented on an online journal through their fan club Blood Pact.[14]

Composition

Regarding this album, vocalist and guitarist Matt Skiba stated that the band set out to record an "anthemic hard rock record."[3] Regarding the record's sound and influences, Skiba states that he was "listening to a lot of Pat Benatar, Def Leppard and a lot of the 80s MTV music that I grew up with. So that was a big influence in the writing process, bands like The Cars". Norwegian experimental band Ulver contributed strings, programming and vocals on "Lost & Rendered" and "In My Stomach." Douglas P. of English neofolk group Death in June contributed a spoken word introduction to "I Found Away". "Help Me" was inspired by the Joy Division film Control (2007).[15]

In an interview promoting the album, Matt Skiba cites that:

there’s a theme of duality on the record, it’s sort of a spin on ‘ebony and ivory’ which of course represents black and white. The songs on the new album sort of represent a struggle between good and evil, light and dark, and despair and hope. We felt Agony and Irony was appropriate, I mean we fancy ourselves as being pretty clever, and we felt a play on words was also fitting for the new record. It's also a lyric from 'Flagpole Sitta' by Harvey Danger, so we thought we earn double points for that.[3]

Release

On April 4, "In Vein" was made available for streaming through the band's Myspace profile. It was mentioned that the band's untitled next album would be released in three months' time.[12] The following day, the band appeared at the Bamboozle Left festival.[16] On April 7, the album's title Agony & Irony and track listing was revealed.[17][18] The following day, "Help Me" was posted on Myspace; it was released to radio stations on April 22.[19][20] On the latter day, an Agony & Irony EP was released, featuring "Help Me", "In Vein" and "Into the Night".[21] In May and June, the band participated in the Zumiez Couch Tour alongside Kandi Coded, Our Last Night and Dr. Manhattan, which was followed by an East Coast tour for the remained of June 2008.[22][23][24] A music video for "Help Me" premiered through MTV on June 30, 2008.[25] According to Alternative Press, it contains "100% less on-the-road and concert footage and 100% more Matt Skiba dressed up as someone from Young Guns flying with a jetpack."[26] Agony & Irony was made available for streaming on June 27 on their Myspace; it released on July 1, 2008, through Epic Records.[27][28] For those that pre-ordered the vinyl edition, they were given a free seven-inch record that featured "Help Me" and a cover of "Wake Up Exhausted" (2004) by Tegan and Sara.[29]

The album was promoted with a US tour until August 2008, with support from Bayside and American Steel.[30][31] Following this, they appeared at the Pukkelpop and Edgefest festivals.[32][33] In October and November, the band supported Rise Against on their headlining tour of the US.[34] Due to Rise Against vocalist Tim McIlrath becoming ill, Alkaline Trio performed two shows with another band on the tour, Thrice.[35] "Over and Out" was released radio on October 21, 2008; a week later, the band appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! performing "Calling All Skeletons".[36][37][38] In January and February 2009, the band went on a tour of Europe with the Audition and Broadway Calls.[39] During this stint, the band played a Myspace Transmission session, where they performed "Over and Out" and "Love Love Kiss Kiss".[40] In February and March, the band toured Australia as part of the Soundwave festival.[41] Also in March, the band launched a contest for fans to remix "I Found Away" that would be included on a digital release titled Remix EP.[42][43] In April 2009, the band went on the Pick Up the Phone tour, alongside Anberlin and Single File, at college campuses in the US; it was intended to raise awareness of suicide and mental health problems.[44] Following this, the band went on a tour of the East Coast and Midwest with Saves the Day[45] and were supported by Death in the Park.[46] Further dates were added, extending the tour into mid-May.[47] Following this, the band supported the Offspring on their Shit Is Fucked Up Tour in May and June 2009, and then appeared at the West Coast Riot festival in Sweden.[48][49] In June 2013, independent label Shop Radio Cast released the album as a two-LP set with a booklet and additional recordings.[50]

Reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AbsolutePunk.net(76%) [51]
AllMusic [2]
The A.V. ClubB+ [52]
Blender [1]
IGN8.3/10 [53]
Melodic [54]
Rolling Stone [55]

By August 2008, the album sold 57,000 copies.[56] Rock Sound ranked it at number 11 on their list of the year's best albums.[57]

Track listing

All Tracks by Alkaline Trio.

No.TitleLength
1."Calling All Skeletons"3:19
2."Help Me"3:44
3."In Vein"3:57
4."Over and Out"3:14
5."I Found Away"4:01
6."Do You Wanna Know?"3:36
7."Live Young, Die Fast"4:14
8."Love Love, Kiss Kiss"3:25
9."Lost and Rendered"3:23
10."Ruin It"3:36
11."Into the Night"3:23
Bonus tracks
  • "In My Stomach" – 3:53 (iTunes bonus track)
  • "Love Love, Kiss Kiss (acoustic)" – 3:08 (Australian bonus track)
  • "Fire Down Below" – 3:43 (Japanese bonus track)
Deluxe edition bonus disc
  1. "Burned Is the House" – 4:26
  2. "Maybe I'll Catch Fire (acoustic)" – 3:04
  3. "Live Young, Die Fast (acoustic)" – 3:19
  4. "Into the Night (acoustic)" – 3:12
  5. "Over and Out (acoustic)" – 2:47
  6. "Lost and Rendered (acoustic)" – 3:13

References
  1. Blender review
  2. Agony & Irony at AllMusic
  3. "Bombshellzine.com : News Portal : - :: Interview :: Alkaline Trio". www.bombshellzine.com. Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
  4. Roth, Kaj (October 12, 2006). "V2 Records Signs Alkaline Trio". Melodic. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
  5. Solarski, Matthew (January 15, 2007). "V2 Closes Shop on New Releases, White Stripes Are Free". Pitchfork. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
  6. Paul, Aubin (February 5, 2007). "Updates from Alkaline Trio: still recording, no label yet". Punknews.org. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  7. Paul, Aubin (March 21, 2007). "Alkaline Trio writing, demoing new material". Punknews.org. Retrieved February 13, 2022.
  8. Paul, Aubin (April 6, 2007). "Matt Skiba / Chuck Ragan". Punknews.org. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  9. Moran, Chris (May 28, 2007). "Alkaline Trio signs to Epic Records". Punknews.org. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  10. Paul, Aubin (May 31, 2007). "Alkaline Trio post new track from Warped compilation". Punknews.org. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  11. Paul, Aubin (March 19, 2007). "Alkaline Trio confirmed for Warped". Punknews.org. Retrieved February 13, 2022.
  12. "Alkaline Trio post new song, set release date for new album". Alternative Press. April 4, 2008. Archived from the original on August 7, 2017. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
  13. Wippsson, Johan (July 31, 2007). "Alkaline Trio Signs To Epic Records". Melodic. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
  14. White, Adam (February 11, 2008). "Alkaline Trio at work on album six". Punknews.org. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
  15. Winberg, Pär (June 27, 2008). "Online Alkaline Trio Listening Party..." Melodic. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
  16. "Blaqk Audio, Hot Water Music, H2O added to Bamboozle Left". Alternative Press. February 15, 2008. Archived from the original on July 28, 2017. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
  17. Roth, Kaj (April 7, 2008). "Alkaline Trio Releases New Album On July 1". Melodic. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
  18. Paul, Aubin (April 7, 2008). "Alkaline Trio detail 'Agony and Irony'". Punknews.org. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
  19. "AllAccess.com Alternative eWeekly". AllAccess. April 15, 2008. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  20. Paul, Aubin (April 8, 2008). "Alkaline Trio: 'Help Me'". Punknews.org. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
  21. Paul, Aubin (April 22, 2008). "Alkaline Trio release 'Agony and Irony' EP". Punknews.org. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
  22. "Alkaline Trio, Scary Kids Scaring Kids on Zumiez Couch Tour". Alternative Press. April 2, 2008. Archived from the original on August 7, 2017. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
  23. "Bayside, Dr. Manhattan, more added to Zumiez Couch Tour". Alternative Press. April 30, 2008. Archived from the original on August 7, 2017. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
  24. Paul, Aubin (April 18, 2008). "Alkaline Trio". Punknews.org. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
  25. Paul, Aubin (June 30, 2008). "Alkaline Trio: 'Help Me (Official)'". Punknews.org. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
  26. "Alkaline Trio release official "Help Me" video". Alternative Press. June 30, 2008. Archived from the original on July 30, 2017. Retrieved July 10, 2017.
  27. "Alkaline Trio launches full stream of 'Agony And Irony'". Alternative Press. June 27, 2008. Archived from the original on August 7, 2017. Retrieved July 10, 2017.
  28. "Alkaline Trio unveil title, tracklist for upcoming album". Alternative Press. April 14, 2008. Archived from the original on August 7, 2017. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
  29. Conoley, Ben (June 26, 2008). "Upcoming releases and our Norma Jean box set winner". Punknews.org. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
  30. Paul, Aubin (May 2, 2008). "Alkaline Trio". Punknews.org. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
  31. Paul, Aubin (May 6, 2008). "American Steel, Bayide to support Alkaline Trio". Punknews.org. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
  32. Paul, Aubin (July 7, 2008). "Alkaline Trio, A Wilhelm Scream, Dropkick Murphys, Anti-Flag, Less Than Jake at Pukkelpop". Punknews.org. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
  33. Reinecker, Meg (July 29, 2008). "Flogging Molly, Alkaline Trio, Pennywise to play Edgefest 2008". Punknews.org. Retrieved June 18, 2022.
  34. "Rise Against announce fall tour routing". Alternative Press. July 28, 2008. Retrieved July 23, 2017.
  35. "Rise Against cancel TX shows due to illness; Alkaline Trio and Thrice reschedule". Alternative Press. October 26, 2008. Retrieved July 26, 2017.
  36. "AllAccess.com Alternative eWeekly". AllAccess. October 14, 2008. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  37. Paul, Aubin (October 23, 2008). "Alkaliine Trio on Jimmy Kimmel". Punknews.org. Retrieved June 19, 2022.
  38. Paul, Aubin (October 30, 2008). "Alkaline Trio: 'Calling All Skeletons (live on Jimmy Kimmel)'". Punknews.org. Retrieved June 19, 2022.
  39. Paul, Aubin (November 13, 2008). "Alkaline Trio / Broadway Calls (Europe)". Punknews.org. Aubin Paul. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
  40. Paul, Aubin (January 26, 2009). "Alkaline Trio perform tracks/interviews for MySpace's 'Transmissions'". Punknews.org. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  41. Hutton, Sarah (September 23, 2008). "Soundwave Line-up 2009". FasterLouder. Junkee Media. Archived from the original on July 30, 2017. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  42. Remix Alkaline Trio's "I Found Away"!. Noise Press. Retrieved on March 21, 2009
  43. Paul, Aubin (March 20, 2009). "Alkaline Trio launches remix contest". Punknews.org. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
  44. Paul, Aubin (December 23, 2008). "Alkaline Trio, Anberlin, Single File on 'Pick Up the Phone' tour". Punknews.org. Retrieved June 20, 2022.
  45. "Alkaline Trio / Saves The Day tour announced". Alternative Press. March 10, 2009. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  46. "Death In The Park (ex-Hot Rod Circuit) added to Alkaline Trio / Saves The Day tour". Alternative Press. April 4, 2009. Retrieved August 8, 2017.
  47. "Alkaline Trio/Saves The Day tour extended into May". Alternative Press. March 13, 2009. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  48. Paul, Aubin (February 26, 2009). "Social Distortion, Alkaline Trio and Sick of It All playing West Coast Riot 2009". Punknews.org. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  49. "Offspring plan tour with Alkaline Trio, Dropkick Murphys, Sum 41". Alternative Press. March 23, 2009. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  50. Wippsson, Johan (April 16, 2013). "Alkaline Trio 'Agony And Irony' 2xlp (deluxe Edition) To Be Released June 4 Via Shop Radio Cast". Melodic. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
  51. Absolute Punk review
  52. The A.V. Club review
  53. Thompson, Ed (July 1, 2008). "Alkaline Trio – Agony & Irony Review". IGN. Archived from the original on February 17, 2009. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  54. Roth, Kaj (June 22, 2005). "Alkaline Trio - Agony and Irony". Melodic. Retrieved July 17, 2017.
  55. Rolling Stone review
  56. Caulfield, Keith (August 1, 2008). "Ask Billboard: Robin Sparkles, Garbage, Alkaline Trio, Bayside". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on May 16, 2016. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
  57. Kelham, Andrew (January 7, 2009). "Top 75 Albums Of 2008 - Blogs". Rock Sound. Archived from the original on August 22, 2022. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
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