Chicago’s emo-core outfit Alkaline Trio has developed a substantial cult following in its decade of existence, the dark, morbid lyrics of Matt Skiba striking a chord with the part-goth, part-sensitivo kids who, in the late-nineties, found solace with records like “Goddamnit” and “Maybe I’ll Catch Fire” (Skiba, who has since moved to Los Angeles, contends that the band is still very much Chicago. The three-piece is probably more influential then one would think—bands like Fall Out Boy and even Panic! At the Disco have followed suit. The Caterer brothers’ Smoking Popes reunited late last year to the excitement of many—the pop-punksters haven’t released anything new yet, but, fingers crossed, that will come soon. This year’s live record, “Smoking Popes Live at Metro,” recorded during 2005’s Flower 15 celebration, is a fine example of the band’s energetic—and oddly wholesome—live presence. Local band Sybris opens—its airy, near-experimental art-pop is equally soothing and challenging. (Tom Lynch)
Cool Aid: A Review of Situation Chicago 2 The album does an outstanding job of bringing home the staggering sonic and stylistic range we deny ourselves when we return too often to the same genre well.
