popwreckoning

Apparently 2011 is the year the Muppets will rise again.

Smurfs? Meh. Alvin and the Chipmunks? Oh please. But the Muppets – whether or not you were born in their heyday, will always be cool.

And this year will be the year they make their comeback. Remember when Tim Curry was a swashbuckling pirate in “Muppet Treasure Island?” Well I do, and what I remember the most is the soundtrack, even if it was sung by a bunch of puppets and Dr. Frank-N-Furter himself.

But with a new film out in November written by the hilarious Jason Segel and songs by Flight of the Conchords’ Bret McKenzie, and a new compilation of classic circa-1970s Muppets songs covered by some darn good artists, Fozzie Bear better dust off his bow tie.

The Muppets: The Green Album features the likes of My Morning Jacket, Andrew Bird, OK Go playing a groovy extended rendition of the Muppet Show theme song, and Weezer, who we all know has a history with the Muppets (see “Keep Fishin’” music video), along with Paramore’s Hayley Williams performing a charming version of “The Rainbow Connection.”

The Green Album, out August 23, doesn’t stray from any of the classic songs performed by the Muppets themselves, and manages to bring them all into 2011.

To listen to each song individually or to stream the whole album right now, head on over to NPR.org before you buy the album (because you really should).

PopWreckoning got to see Alkaline Trio rock out at the Granada Theater in Lawrence, Kansas on Friday, February 26, the same week that they released their 7 album This Addiction. The show was sold out, so the trio got to play for a full house. The show opened up with The Dear and Departed followed by Cursive, who was just in Lawrence months before.

Alkaline Trio played a majority of their songs off of the new album, but played enough of their older songs to keep the crowd excited. For their album having just been released on that Tuesday, there were lots of people singing along to their newer songs.

Below are several photos by Mike Goehring that capture the sweet action that is Alkaline Trio:

“They always have the same sound but the punk level changes…” 

This Addiction, the seventh album by Chicago natives, Alkaline Trio, cycles back to their beginnings. Fans will be split, either into separate groups or divided inside themselves. Some will enjoy the sound which brings the punk level of Alkaline Trio back to the 90s while others, who were captured by their building mainstream appeal of their past three albums, might be deterred.

Driving drums and common punk chord progressions aside- the vocals are what makes this so recognizably Alkaline Trio. This is one of the few bands I can think of that have alternating lead vocals where it is pulled off so well. It’s the consistency/production of all the tracks in the album making so cohesive.

Bassit Dan Andriano sings on only three tracks , two of which I love (“Fine” and “Off the Map”) while I don’t particularly care for “Dine, Dine my Darling,” which speaks to the fact that I am one who has enjoyed their punk to mainstream build over the years.

I have to say my favorite song sang by Matt Skiba is “Draculina,” though I have to admit after my first listen of the album, “Draculina” is one of the last that I wanted to revisit. I can appreciate the goth-rockoprea-esk story (I keep thinking of the most recent Ludo) that the song tells, although the name/word Draculina is the one thing I DON’T like about the song. Here are some lines that really stand out to me both lyrically and the melody.

Love this line!

“Leaving heaven behind for good this time, the angels can keep it.
I’ve got a demon in mind and she’s standing behind my dark secret.”

And also this line:

“I’ve got a devil inside that has been exorcised, now I’m bleeding.”

The theme of this album is seen throughout, from album title, musically and lyrically. Though using drugs or addiction as a metaphor for relationships is nothing too original, it is done well in This Addiction. Musically the album has a mix of punk roots with their more recent melodic-mainstream tendencies (at least vocally). A few tracks feature horns in them which might throw you off at first listen, but it actually fits and adds a nice touch to the album, with the exception of the trumpet featured in “Lead Poisoning.”

Track Listing:
1. This Addiction
2. Dine, Dine My Darling
3. Lead Poisoning
4. Dead on the Floor
5. The American Scream
6. Off the Map
7. Draculina
8. Eating Me Alive
9. Piss and Vinegar
10. Dorothy
11. Fine

Tegan and Sara: website | myspace | interview with: Tegan pt. 1, pt. 2 | @ terminal 5 | @ town hall | Sainthood review
Alkaline Trio: website | myspace

As anticipation builds for their Epitaph Records/Heart & Skull debut, seminal punk rockers Alkaline Trio have announced plans for a US headlining tour with indie rock band Cursive, in support of their forthcoming studio album, This Addiction, which is due out February 23.

Beginning December 22^nd at 10AM local venue time, fans will be given the chance to get a discounted pre-order of This Addiction with a presale through Ticketmaster.com OR Ducatking.com, depending on the market.  A list of dates are below with the corresponding presale option next them.

Since emerging in 1996, Alkaline Trio have become one of the punk rock’s most progressive and unique bands of the last decade, commanding an enormous cult following with six fan-adored albums and relentless world-wide touring.  This Addiction is the next chapter in the band’s celebrated career.

Alkaline Trio Tour Dates:
Feb 16 – Pomona, CA – Glass House (Ticketmaster.com)
Feb 17 – Los Angeles, CA – House of Blues (Sunset) (Ticketmaster.com)
Feb 18 – San Francisco, CA – Regency Ballroom (Ticketmaster.com)
Feb 19 – Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom (Ducatking.com)
Feb 20 – Seattle, WA – Neumo’s (Ducatking.com)
Feb 23 – Boise, ID – Knitting Factory (Ducatking.com)
Feb 24 – Salt Lake City, UT – In the Venue (Ducatking.com)
Feb 25 – Denver, CO – Gothic Theatre (Ducatking.com)
Feb 26 – Lawrence, KS – Granada Theater (Ducatking.com)
Feb 27 – Chicago, IL – Metro (Ducatking.com)
Feb 28 – Chicago, IL – Metro (Ducatking.com)
March 2 – Royal Oak, MI – Royal Oak (Ducatking.com)
March 3 – Columbus, OH – Newport Music Hall (Ticketmaster.com)
March 4 – Cleveland, OH – House of Blues (Ticketmaster.com)
March 5 – Pittsburgh, PA – Club Zoo (Ticketmaster.com)
March 6 – Toronto, ON – Phoenix Concert Theatre (Ticketmaster.com)
March 8 – Clifton Park, NY – Northern Light (Ducatking.com)
March 9 – Hartford, CT – Webster Theatre (Ducatking.com)
March 11 – Philadelphia, PA – Tracadero (Ticketmaster.com)
March 12 – New York, NY – Nokia Theatre (Ticketmaster.com)
March 13 – Sayreville, NJ – Starland (Ticketmaster.com)
March 14 – Providence, RI – Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel (Ducatking.com)
March 16 – Towson, MD – Recher Theatre (Ticketmaster.com)
March 17 – Charlotte, NC – Amos’ Southend (Ducatking.com)
March 18 – Charleston, SC – Music Farm (Ducatking.com)
March 19 – Atlanta, GA – Masquerade (Ticketmaster.com)
March 20 – Jacksonville Beach, FL – Freebird Live (Ducatking.com)
March 22 – Orlando, FL – House of Blues (Ducatking.com)
March 23 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL – Revolution (Ticketmaster.com)
March 25 – New Orleans, LA – House of Blues (Ducatking.com)
March 26 – Houston, TX – Warehouse Live (Ducatking.com)
March 27 – Dallas, TX – Palladium Ballroom (Ticketmaster.com)
March 28 – Austin, TX – Emo’s (Ticketmaster.com)
March 30 – Tempe, AZ – The Marquee (Ducatking.com)
April 1 – San Diego, CA – House of Blues (Ticketmaster.com)
April 2 – Los Angeles – House of Blues (Ticketmaster.com)

Alkaline Trio: website | myspace

Riot Fest, a huge punk festival, is entering its 5th year in Chicago.

The festival started in founder Mike Petryshyn‘s basement and has since grown into one of the largest punk festivals spanning several Chicago venues. This festival is the embodiment of the punk DIY spirit.

This year’s bands include Alkaline Trio, NOFX, Screeching Weasel, Dead Milkmen, Butthole Surfers and more.

The festival runs Oct. 7-11 and tickets are still available.

Riot Fest: website | schedule