ALKALINE TRIO

Blood, Hair And Eyeballs (Rise)

Hot For Preacher proves a barnstorming banshee howl from the void, featuring gloriously downbeat verses and a chugging, riff-laden chorus. This punny opener from Alkaline Trio on Blood, Hair And Eyeballs, alongside the grownup emo of Meet Me and Bad Time, affirm Alkaline Trio’s canny knack of catering for bratty Blink and MCR fans, as well as the more bookish miseryguts – the ones who worship at the altar of Morrissey, Vanian, Siouxsie, Smith et al.

Shake With Me echoes primetime Against Me! – the combination of Skiba and bassist Dan Andriano on vocal duties remaining an enduring stylistic bonus – and the title track is a certified banger and probable album highlight, sealing Alkaline Trio’s place as one of the last, great, power, er trios. Worship and tribute!    

words JAMES W ROBERTS