Agony & Irony Explained

Agony & Irony
Type:Studio
Artist:Alkaline Trio
Cover:Alkaline Trio - Agony & Irony cover.jpg
Released:July 1, 2008
Genre:Pop punk
Length:39:42
Label:Epic
Producer:Josh Abraham
Prev Title:Remains
Prev Year:2007
Next Title:This Addiction
Next Year:2010

Agony & Irony is the sixth studio album and major label debut by American punk rock band Alkaline Trio, released July 1, 2008, on Epic Records. Produced by Josh Abraham, the album was preceded by the single "Help Me".

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.[1] However, in January 2007, V2 went through a restructuring process which left the fate of its acts unknown.[2] 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,[3] 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.[4] [5] On May 28, 2007, the group announced they had signed to another major label, Epic Records.[6] Three days later, "Fire Down Below" was posted on the band's Myspace profile.[7] They performed on that year's Warped Tour for two weeks; they debuted a new track, titled "In Vein".[8] Following these dates, the band entered the studio to work on their next album.[9] Recording began in early 2008; the proceedings were documented on an online journal through their fan club Blood Pact.[10]

Composition

The album features a pop punk style, but more pop rock-oriented compared to the band's previous, punk rock-oriented albums. Regarding this album, vocalist and guitarist Matt Skiba stated that the band set out to record an "anthemic hard rock record."[11] 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).[12]

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.[11]

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.[13] The following day, the band appeared at the Bamboozle Left festival.[14] On April 7, the album's title Agony & Irony and track listing was revealed.[15] [16] The following day, "Help Me" was posted on Myspace; it was released to radio stations on April 22.[17] [18] On the latter day, an Agony & Irony EP was released, featuring "Help Me", "In Vein" and "Into the Night".[19] 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.[20] [21] [22] A music video for "Help Me" premiered through MTV on June 30, 2008.[23] 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."[24] Agony & Irony was made available for streaming on June 27 on their Myspace; it released on July 1, 2008, through Epic Records.[25] [26] 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.[27]

The album was promoted with a US tour until August 2008, with support from Bayside and American Steel.[28] [29] Following this, they appeared at the Pukkelpop and Edgefest festivals.[30] [31] In October and November, the band supported Rise Against on their headlining tour of the US.[32] Due to Rise Against vocalist Tim McIlrath becoming ill, Alkaline Trio performed two shows with another band on the tour, Thrice.[33] "Over and Out" was released radio on October 21, 2008; a week later, the band appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! performing "Calling All Skeletons".[34] [35] [36] In January and February 2009, the band went on a tour of Europe with the Audition and Broadway Calls.[37] During this stint, the band played a Myspace Transmission session, where they performed "Over and Out" and "Love Love Kiss Kiss".[38] In February and March, the band toured Australia as part of the Soundwave festival.[39] 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.[40] [41] 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.[42] Following this, the band went on a tour of the East Coast and Midwest with Saves the Day[43] and were supported by Death in the Park.[44] Further dates were added, extending the tour into mid-May.[45] 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.[46] [47] In June 2013, independent label Shop Radio Cast released the album as a two-LP set with a booklet and additional recordings.[48]

Reception

By August 2008, the album sold 57,000 copies.[49] Rock Sound ranked it at number 11 on their list of the year's best albums.[50]

Track listing

All Tracks by Alkaline Trio.

Bonus tracks
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

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: V2 Records Signs Alkaline Trio. Melodic. Roth, Kaj. October 12, 2006. March 10, 2019.
  2. Web site: V2 Closes Shop on New Releases, White Stripes Are Free. Pitchfork. Solarski, Matthew. January 15, 2007. March 10, 2019.
  3. Web site: Updates from Alkaline Trio: still recording, no label yet. Punknews.org. Paul, Aubin. February 5, 2007. February 10, 2022.
  4. Web site: Alkaline Trio writing, demoing new material. Punknews.org. Paul, Aubin. March 21, 2007. February 13, 2022.
  5. Web site: Matt Skiba / Chuck Ragan. Punknews.org. Paul, Aubin. April 6, 2007. February 14, 2022.
  6. Web site: Alkaline Trio signs to Epic Records. Punknews.org. Moran, Chris. May 28, 2007. February 15, 2022.
  7. Web site: Alkaline Trio post new track from Warped compilation. Punknews.org. Paul, Aubin. May 31, 2007. February 15, 2022.
  8. Web site: Alkaline Trio confirmed for Warped. Punknews.org. Paul, Aubin. March 19, 2007. February 13, 2022.
  9. Web site: Alkaline Trio Signs To Epic Records. Melodic. Wippsson, Johan. July 31, 2007. March 10, 2019.
  10. Web site: Alkaline Trio at work on album six. Punknews.org. White, Adam. February 11, 2008. June 11, 2022.
  11. Web site: Bombshellzine.com : News Portal : - :: Interview :: Alkaline Trio . www.bombshellzine.com . January 15, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110708082823/http://www.bombshellzine.com/newspage/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=3306 . July 8, 2011 . dead.
  12. Web site: Online Alkaline Trio Listening Party.... Melodic. Winberg, Pär. June 27, 2008. March 10, 2019.
  13. Web site: Alkaline Trio post new song, set release date for new album. Alternative Press. April 4, 2008. July 9, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170807193704/http://www.altpress.com/index.php/news/entry/archive_3729. August 7, 2017. dead.
  14. Web site: Blaqk Audio, Hot Water Music, H2O added to Bamboozle Left. Alternative Press. February 15, 2008. July 9, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170728175351/http://www.altpress.com/index.php/news/entry/archive_3511. July 28, 2017. dead.
  15. Web site: Alkaline Trio Releases New Album On July 1. Melodic. Roth, Kaj. April 7, 2008. March 10, 2019.
  16. Web site: Alkaline Trio detail 'Agony and Irony'. Punknews.org. Paul, Aubin. April 7, 2008. June 14, 2022.
  17. Web site: AllAccess.com Alternative eWeekly. AllAccess. April 15, 2008. July 2, 2016.
  18. Web site: Alkaline Trio: 'Help Me'. Punknews.org. Paul, Aubin. April 8, 2008. June 14, 2022.
  19. Web site: Alkaline Trio release 'Agony and Irony' EP. Punknews.org. Paul, Aubin. April 22, 2008. June 15, 2022.
  20. Web site: Alkaline Trio, Scary Kids Scaring Kids on Zumiez Couch Tour. Alternative Press. April 2, 2008. July 9, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170807192748/http://www.altpress.com/index.php/news/entry/archive_3716. August 7, 2017. dead.
  21. Web site: Bayside, Dr. Manhattan, more added to Zumiez Couch Tour. Alternative Press. April 30, 2008. July 9, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170807192756/http://www.altpress.com/index.php/news/entry/archive_3811. August 7, 2017. dead.
  22. Web site: Alkaline Trio. Punknews.org. Paul, Aubin. April 18, 2008. June 14, 2022.
  23. Web site: Alkaline Trio: 'Help Me (Official)'. Punknews.org. Paul, Aubin. June 30, 2008. June 17, 2022.
  24. Web site: Alkaline Trio release official "Help Me" video. Alternative Press. June 30, 2008. July 10, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170730154810/http://www.altpress.com/index.php/news/entry/archive_4202. July 30, 2017. dead.
  25. Web site: Alkaline Trio launches full stream of 'Agony And Irony'. Alternative Press. June 27, 2008. July 10, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170807193114/http://www.altpress.com/index.php/news/entry/archive_4177. August 7, 2017. dead.
  26. Web site: Alkaline Trio unveil title, tracklist for upcoming album. Alternative Press. April 14, 2008. July 9, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170807194009/http://www.altpress.com/index.php/news/entry/archive_3763. August 7, 2017. dead.
  27. Web site: Upcoming releases and our Norma Jean box set winner. Punknews.org. Conoley, Ben. June 26, 2008. June 17, 2022.
  28. Web site: Alkaline Trio. Punknews.org. Paul, Aubin. May 2, 2008. June 15, 2022.
  29. Web site: American Steel, Bayide to support Alkaline Trio. Punknews.org. Paul, Aubin. May 6, 2008. June 15, 2022.
  30. Web site: Alkaline Trio, A Wilhelm Scream, Dropkick Murphys, Anti-Flag, Less Than Jake at Pukkelpop. Punknews.org. Paul, Aubin. July 7, 2008. June 17, 2022.
  31. Web site: Flogging Molly, Alkaline Trio, Pennywise to play Edgefest 2008. Punknews.org. Reinecker, Meg. July 29, 2008. June 18, 2022.
  32. Web site: Rise Against announce fall tour routing. Alternative Press. July 28, 2008. July 23, 2017.
  33. Web site: Rise Against cancel TX shows due to illness; Alkaline Trio and Thrice reschedule. Alternative Press. October 26, 2008. July 26, 2017.
  34. Web site: AllAccess.com Alternative eWeekly. AllAccess. October 14, 2008. July 2, 2016.
  35. Web site: Alkaliine Trio on Jimmy Kimmel. Punknews.org. Paul, Aubin. October 23, 2008. June 19, 2022.
  36. Web site: Alkaline Trio: 'Calling All Skeletons (live on Jimmy Kimmel)'. Punknews.org. Paul, Aubin. October 30, 2008. June 19, 2022.
  37. Web site: Alkaline Trio / Broadway Calls (Europe). Punknews.org. Aubin Paul. Paul, Aubin. November 13, 2008. April 29, 2018.
  38. Web site: Alkaline Trio perform tracks/interviews for MySpace's 'Transmissions'. Punknews.org. Paul, Aubin. January 26, 2009. October 3, 2022.
  39. Web site: Soundwave Line-up 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20170730130629/http://fasterlouder.junkee.com/soundwave-line-up-2009/795762. dead. July 30, 2017. FasterLouder. Junkee Media. Hutton, Sarah. September 23, 2008. July 13, 2017.
  40. http://www.noisepress.com/2009/03/remix-alkaline-trios-i-found-away.html Remix Alkaline Trio's "I Found Away"!
  41. Web site: Alkaline Trio launches remix contest. Punknews.org. Paul, Aubin. March 20, 2009. October 4, 2022.
  42. Web site: Alkaline Trio, Anberlin, Single File on 'Pick Up the Phone' tour. Punknews.org. Paul, Aubin. December 23, 2008. June 20, 2022.
  43. Web site: Alkaline Trio / Saves The Day tour announced. Alternative Press. March 10, 2009. August 7, 2017.
  44. Web site: Death In The Park (ex-Hot Rod Circuit) added to Alkaline Trio / Saves The Day tour. Alternative Press. April 4, 2009. August 8, 2017.
  45. Web site: Alkaline Trio/Saves The Day tour extended into May. Alternative Press. March 13, 2009. August 7, 2017.
  46. Web site: Social Distortion, Alkaline Trio and Sick of It All playing West Coast Riot 2009. Punknews.org. Paul, Aubin. February 26, 2009. October 3, 2022.
  47. Web site: Offspring plan tour with Alkaline Trio, Dropkick Murphys, Sum 41. Alternative Press. March 23, 2009. August 7, 2017.
  48. Web site: Alkaline Trio 'Agony And Irony' 2xlp (deluxe Edition) To Be Released June 4 Via Shop Radio Cast. Melodic. Wippsson, Johan. April 16, 2013. March 10, 2019.
  49. Ask Billboard: Robin Sparkles, Garbage, Alkaline Trio, Bayside. Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Caulfield, Keith. August 1, 2008. January 30, 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160516135523/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1044600/ask-billboard-robin-sparkles-garbage-alkaline-trio-bayside. May 16, 2016.
  50. Web site: Top 75 Albums Of 2008 - Blogs. https://web.archive.org/web/20220822131948/https://www.rocksound.tv/blog/read/top-75-albums-of-2008. Rock Sound. Kelham, Andrew. January 7, 2009. August 22, 2022. August 22, 2022.

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