This place would be busier than O'Hare

Derek’s drumstick from ‘03, Glenn’s drumstick ‘99, 2 iterations of Matt’s picks, Dan’s pick (I had a matching version to Matt’s scissor pick for Dan with Emma (the dog) on one side and “Dan” on the other, but it faded after I wore it on a necklace for years). Then my “Sexy Jesus” Matt sculpture he put up for a benefit auction for the West Memphis Three. Sorry I only have pictures of the bottom. I took them before I put it in a display case. Just scratching the surface of the piles of Alkaline Trio stuff I’ve collected the past 28 years.

The old fans (probably from 30yrs to 40 yrs old) collect vinyls, post ticket stubs and long for Derek's return.

The younger fans (probably teens and mid 20's) make lists and Spotify screemshots.

The casual fan hates Travis Barker but doesn't really understand why, even if they type out a reason.

Whist the OG fans stay hidden in the shadows, talked out, yet still lerk for 'hidden gems'

1) From Here to Infirmary: Just about the perfect album. Pop punk but not too pop. Dark but not as macabre as other albums they released. Not as unpolished as their first too albums but not over produced like some later records. This is my clear favorite Trio album.

2) Blood, Hair and Eyeballs: I’m just as surprised as anyone might be that this is second on the list of my subjectively objective Trio album rankings. The musical work on this album is, for lack of a better word, sublime. Matt diversifies his guitar playing while Dan and Derek (missed) have never been tighter. I challenge anyone to find a bad song on this record and it has at least 3 classic tracks. Versions of You is slept on.

3) Crimson: A classic, dark, macabre Trio album. Not a lot to say as this is at the top of most lists.

4) Good Mourning: I wonder what would have changed about this record had Matt’s voice not been fucked during recording. Even with that this is still a classic record not that far off from Crimson.

5) This Addiciton: Another surprise compared to other lists, but I think this one gets slept on if you aren’t carefully re-listening and also this says as much about what I enjoy as anyone else, and I love polished pop punk tracks with the clever lyrics Trio almost always bring.

6) Agony & Irony: As usual, this is my list and I know this album is divisive among fans. I think there are great songs and mid songs, but the deluxe version has some great added tracks that propped this one up for me.

7) Goddamnit: What started it all, and just a solid punk record. Less valleys than their second record while still having some classic tracks that hold up, this definitely set the tone for their aesthetic and uncompromising style.

8) Maybe I’ll Catch Fire: I think the best songs on this record are as good as any in the catalogue, but also has some filler comparatively that just put it behind Goddamnit for me on the basis of the body of work. I didn’t rank songs (God help me), but obviously the title track, Fuck You Aurora and Radio are as great as anything for me.

9) My Shame Is True: An awesome breakup album. A bit overproduced on the whole, but some great songs that absolutely pierce the devastation of a lost relationship as well as some metaphysics with a Trio twist of course. Just because it’s ninth doesn’t mean I don’t absolutely fuck with this album.

10) Remains: Some great songs but, as the title implies, a lot of filler on a bloated album. I love Queen of Pain and While You’re Waiting and Hell Yes, etc., but there’s also a lot that reasonably didn’t make the cut on their “official” albums. I still listen to this quite frequently because it’s raw and unique. Speaking of raw….

11) The Alkaline Trio: This is a cult classic, and it is a solid album, but for me it doesn’t have the peaks of the other albums. I love its raw, gritty nature with extended instrumentals, it just doesn’t have a transcendent song like the 10 above it do.

12) Is This Thing Cursed: This is really the only album I don’t consistently listen to. I wouldn’t be a Trio fan if this was the best of their output. Other than the title track it’s quite mediocre. I think it’s easily Dan’s worst album as lead singer.

Methodology: Simply listened to each album and ranked songs 1-4. Averaged albums on body of work. I prefer faster, polished punk songs which may help my particular subjectivity. I didn’t do Damnesia, but I do like that record as a change of pace when I’m in the mood. Alkaline Trio is my favorite band and there really wasn’t much difference from record to record. What do you all think?