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Compilations, rarities, B-sides and other "extra content" albums are always something of a grab bag. You never fully expect something amazing, maybe a hidden treat or two, but mostly just a bunch of crap that wouldn't fit anywhere else. With this almost damning depiction in mind, throw in the x-factor of releasing a second compilation album in a band's career, and you're just asking for constant chants of "obligatory contract fulfillment album," or simply being referred to as a cash whore.

But the Alkaline Trio have an ace up their collective sleeve. It's like playing blackjack, and each time you tell the dealer "hit me," you get ace, after ace, after ace. Their first B-sides record, the 2000 singles comp Alkaline Trio, is the best "album" of their catalog some would say (as would this reviewer). The material on Remains is some of the band's most beloved, fan-favorite material since, well, that album. Toss in a loaded DVD full of extras like live performances, a mini-documentary and some other goodies, and you've got something even better than a new full-length.

Remains combines, well, the remaining material and compilation material from the past several years. Favorites like "Jaked on Green Beers," "Warbrain" and "Queen of Pain" are all accounted for, along with their stellar cover of Hot Water Music's classic, "Rooftops." Other standouts include "Hell Yes," "Dead and Broken" and "Sadie." "Old School Reasons" provides the proverbial "old school vibe" that fans of the Trio's earlier years will smile from ear to ear about.

The only complaint about the CD portion of the Remains package would be the live tracks. As far as the performance goes, no complaints, but the recording quality really leaves something to be desired. The trait follows over to the DVD portion as well...

Speaking of which, the DVD itself is a great companion to the audio offering of Remains. The brief documentary, "Remains of 2004-2006" offers a glimpse of the band on the road, with several live performances spliced in between segments. The camera work for the live performances is great, but again it's the audio quality leaving something to be desired. Other than that, the mini-film offers an entertaining view into the road life of the group, including a interesting episode of déjà vu with guitarist/vocalist Matt Skiba playing peacemaker in a Tempe, AZ skatepark.

The music video section includes the band's video catalog from their last three albums. Though widely available prior to the compilation's release, the videos offer an interesting view of the wide scope of endeavors and artistic exploration taken throughout recent years.

The artwork and packaging of Remains provides absolutely no disappointment. With a full-glossy booklet with complete liner notes from band members for each song, personal thoughts and reflections are provided for every track on the CD.

Overall, Remains is a great musical package for any fan of the genre. Rapid A3 admirers will love the complete attention to detail on the packaging and DVD, however, newer fans can easily use it as a starting point for a further look into the band's extensive catalog. As a casual listener of the Trio, I just enjoyed a well-compiled collection of great music and and perfect accompaniment with the DVD. Great release all around.



People who liked this also liked:
Alkaline Trio - GoddamnitAlkaline Trio - From Here To InfirmaryThe Lawrence Arms - Oh! Calcutta!Alkaline Trio - Alkaline TrioAlkaline Trio - Maybe I'll Catch FireThe Lawrence Arms - The Greatest Story Ever ToldAlkaline Trio - Good MourningRefused - The Shape of Punk to ComeThe Lawrence Arms - Apathy and ExhaustionThe Falcon - Unicornography



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    Posted by jy on 2007-02-17 17:19:49
    My Score:

    they are awesome with great vocals

    Posted by Scruffy on 2007-02-07 16:35:31

    "Oh, I forgot about their cover of "Exploding Boy" by the Cure. That wasn't on the first singles comp, was it?"

    Yes, it was.

    Posted by andrethegiant on 2007-02-07 10:53:27

    the scene where skiba breaks up the fist fight makes this whole thing worth owning.

    "there's nothing wrong with being gay, you crooked-ass little bastard."

    golden.

    Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, February 7, 2007 at 10:43 AM (EST)

    "HWM's Radio sucked."

    Yeah, if you take Alkaline Trio's most overrated song & add energy & actual emotion to it, you know it's bound to suck.

    Posted by maverick on 2007-02-06 17:18:04

    Oh, I forgot about their cover of "Exploding Boy" by the Cure. That wasn't on the first singles comp, was it?

    -Scott

    Posted by WalterSobchek on 2007-02-06 01:56:53
    My Score:

    Jesus, has anyone else noticed how this band used to make music that was fun to listen to? Compare Hell Yes and Dead End Road to the new album. It is just tragic that these guys have decided they prefer writing morbid dance pop over well crafted pop-punk.

    Posted by klonny on 2007-02-05 20:56:00

    HWM's Radio sucked.

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, February 5, 2007 at 10:54 AM (EST)

    "...Hot Water Music did Alkaline Trio songs better than the Alkaline Trio."

    HWM-Radio>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>A3-Radio

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, February 5, 2007 at 2:52 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    So true that their B-Side records are just as good as the actual full lengths, if not better.

    Posted by maverick on 2007-02-05 01:17:09

    "-bootlegs from 97 Warped Tour
    Armageddon, Hell Yes, I Lied My Face Off, Stupid Kid, Tuck Me In"


    You're definitely thinking of the wrong year, since Alkaline Trio didn't exist in 1997. 2002, perhaps?

    -Scott

    Posted by ilikepunkrock on 2007-02-04 18:17:05
    My Score:

    You got a tattoo of this band and you were not drunk, awesome. I think the Social D skele has to be one of the tops for punk rock tattoos, I have seen it a bunch.

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, February 4, 2007 at 2:17 PM (EST)

    I just got an alkaline trio tattoo last night on a dare. Whoops.

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, February 4, 2007 at 1:24 PM (EST)

    Vagrant Records: ca$h in while you can!

    I read another post a few weeks ago where someone implied the same thing. Bottom line...this didn't happen without the band's involvement and consent. They got paid too. If you're gonna bash Vagrant for "cashing in", then bash the band too.

    Posted by andburntherest on 2007-02-04 13:01:07

    In addition to the songs Scott listed I've also found mp3's from

    Occult Roots in Philly
    Acoustic in London
    Live at the Vic Theatre
    Live in Green Bay '99
    (ripped from blood-pact)

    -bootlegs from 97 Warped Tour
    Armageddon, Hell Yes, I Lied My Face Off, Stupid Kid, Tuck Me In
    - Private Eye Acoustic
    -Fuck You Aurora Acoustic
    -This Could Be Love Demo

    Posted by cantsitstill on 2007-02-04 10:46:05

    Vagrant Records: ca$h in while you can!

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, February 3, 2007 at 8:36 PM (EST)

    15 bucks for this at FYE. if you ordered it off best buy with shipping it would of been a few bucks cheaper.

    Posted by klonny on 2007-02-03 16:09:57
    My Score:

    T.S.R.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, February 3, 2007 at 12:34 PM (EST)

    Only thing I think sucks about this release is that half of the songs are of the HWM split and the One Man Army split, so for anyone that owns these disc is shit out of luck when purchasing this.

    Posted by leecorsoisapenis on 2007-02-03 11:45:39

    "totally essential for any fan or anyone who was a fan up until Crimson and it became un cool to be a fan anymore.:

    It became uncool to like them when they started to suck. It's their own damn fault.

    Also, what was the name of the Dan song on the demo's of "Good Mourning" that never made it on the final album? That song was great, and probably the best song they recorded for good mourning.

    Jim

    Posted by Scruffy on 2007-02-03 10:40:34

    I don't see why everyone complains about what was left off of here. All the tracks Scott listed, save maybe one, are covers, acoustic versions of already released songs and remixes. I don't want to hear any of those.
    I wanted an album with all of their best stuff in one place, and that's what this is.

    Posted by insinceredave on 2007-02-03 08:08:07

    Hell Yes it one of the best songs the trio have written.

    This is a really good comp.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, February 3, 2007 at 7:27 AM (EST)

    Thanks, Maverick!

    Posted by maverick on 2007-02-03 01:23:49

    Okay, so I believe these are all the official recordings that are missing from this. I'm sure it would get longer if you included demo/live tracks:

    -"Snake Oil Tanker (acoustic)" from A Very Milky Christmas comp
    -"Heaven" from Another Year On The Streets Vol. 3 comp
    -"Lucretia My Reflection" from Black Heart Retrospective comp
    -"Fine Without You (Carmen Rizzo/Jed Smith Indian Summer Mix)" from Cursed soundtrack
    -"Bye Bye Love" from the Blue Meanies/Trio split 7-inch
    -"Over At The Frankenstein Place" from The Rocky Horror Punk Rock Show comp
    -"Wash Away" from Tony Hawk's American Wasteland soundtrack
    -"Burn (Alleged remix)" from Underworld: Evolution soundtrack
    -"11:11 (Weak Week)" from their cassette demo
    -"Song For Julie"
    -"Halloween" and "Children In Heat" from the Halloween 7-inch
    -"Off My Mind" from the New Years Eve 7-inch

    Am I missing anything? And does anyone have MP3s of the Misfits covers? I have the 7-inch but no way of ripping vinyl.

    -Scott

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, February 2, 2007 at 10:43 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    I wish Weak Week was included on this. And their cover of Heaven should be on this too.

    Besdies that though, good release.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, February 2, 2007 at 10:07 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    why wouldn't a review of a b-sides album even mention the songs that were harder to come by then the split and comp songs most of us have heard?

    "Buried", "Don't say you won't", and "We can never break up" are only available, I believe, with cd-singles for crimson, and are pretty great songs to have been cut.

    Anyway, this isn't the s/t compilation, but if you haven't heard a majority of these songs, they're solid.

    wyzo

    Posted by Fuzzy on 2007-02-02 21:44:20

    I believe that Vagrant may have (maaay have) bought out the rights to a lot of these songs so expect the splits to go out of print soon.

    Posted by lostandclowned on 2007-02-02 18:56:40

    dead end road is pretty awesome.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, February 2, 2007 at 6:18 PM (EST)

    And I like the cover art. I used to clean fish/seafood and often looked like that after a days work.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, February 2, 2007 at 6:16 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    I think this is a superb package. Me and my friend made a run to today to pick it up. 15 bucks at FYE, nice. On the way home we listened to it and sang along while it snowed all around. It was a special moment.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, February 2, 2007 at 6:15 PM (EST)

    Bye Bye Love from The Blue Meanies split isn't here either.

    Posted by nocontrol on 2007-02-02 18:04:14
    My Score:

    as a person who never heard most of these songs before, i think it awesome. the cover of metro was awesome, and dead end road is such a great song.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, February 2, 2007 at 5:11 PM (EST)

    anyone ever see urethra chornicles(blink-182)?The dvd portion of this is just like it,and that is a good thing.good stuff

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, February 2, 2007 at 5:04 PM (EST)

    Even though most of these songs can be found other places
    (I already have most of these songs and I have heard every one) Its nice to have them all in one place. I think "Old School Reasons" "Warbrain" and "Dead End Road" are some of my favorite jams ever done by this band.

    Posted by sickboi on 2007-02-02 16:57:23

    btw has the reviewer ever played black jack?
    i would never want to hit that many aces


    I'll confess, it was a little bit of an inside joke. Two weeks ago in Vegas, Adam, Brian, Scott and I are sitting at a 6-deck blackjack table. Adam gets an Ace and something else. Hits, gets another Ace. Then 3 more times in a row. 4 Aces of Hearts in a row. It was some really creepy shit. But the mood lightened when someone at another table asked the dealer if Scott was Jack Black.

    Posted by maverick on 2007-02-02 16:54:15

    "btw has the reviewer ever played black jack?
    i would never want to hit that many aces"


    In Vegas, a bunch of us were playing blackjack. Adam was dealt (I believe) an ace/four. He then proceeded to hit it four straight times and get four aces in a row.

    In. A. Row.

    Even creepier: They were all aces of hearts!

    The dealer hit 21, though, so all his hard work was for nothing.

    -Scott

    Posted by Bowen on 2007-02-02 15:56:03

    I really hate it when people are too lazy to even write Alk3 and write A3 instead. A3 is a different band.

    Posted by Godfather on 2007-02-02 15:49:34
    My Score:

    good stuff

    Posted by rinjonjori on 2007-02-02 15:15:29
    My Score:

    Anything that contributes to the demise of Heavens is fine by me...

    Posted by SuperRad on 2007-02-02 14:48:48
    My Score:

    That cover...it's...terrible.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, February 2, 2007 at 2:48 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    best fucking band EVER..a must have for any true Trio fan, the album art is amazing..better than any shit anyone here has prolly ever seen..FUCK anyone who rates this album anything lowere than a 5 star..matter a fact FUCK ALL OF YOU

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, February 2, 2007 at 2:33 PM (EST)

    this cd/dvd is awesome

    btw has the reviewer ever played black jack?
    i would never want to hit that many aces

    Posted by dolorbrigand on 2007-02-02 14:31:27
    My Score:

    please announce your indef hiatus already

    Posted by misterspike on 2007-02-02 13:58:53
    My Score:

    The inclusion of "Sadie" on this release is completely unnecessary. I was also somewhat disappointed with the DVD portion. I expected the "tour documentary" portion to go a little more in-depth, as well as include more live footage. Maybe one day we'll get a full "Story of" type DVD from the Trio in the future.

    Those complaints aside, this is a great relase. It's a great way for newer fans to get so many fan-favorites in one package. Worth picking up for the acoustic version of "Standard Break From Life" alone.

    Oh, and the liner notes are great. I love when bands go back and talk about each particulary song on releases like this. Good job, guysl.

    Posted by dropkickmurphy01 on 2007-02-02 13:35:48
    My Score:

    Alot of great trio songs are on this release. The DVD footage was good too, not very long but still amusing.

    Posted by danperrone on 2007-02-02 13:24:28

    this rating is a TOTAL SHOCKER!!!!

    Posted by baseball on 2007-02-02 13:00:07
    My Score:

    i had this in my hand to buy at the record store yesterday before deciding the 6 cds i already was holding was enough

    some of the best ALK3 songs on here by far, and will probably pick this up sometime soon

    Posted by wentz_equals_death on 2007-02-02 12:45:33

    baaahhh i hate you band of the moment!!

    http://punknews.org/bands/dashboardconfessional

    Posted by m-oo on 2007-02-02 11:58:41
    My Score:

    So is this worth buying for the dvd or not? On the U.K releases of FHTI you get Standard Break and Hell Yes on the disc...I am still schocked you guys didnt get those songs on it. Then on GM there is Old School Reasons and Dead End Road bonus. Basically I have all the songs but wouldnt mind checking out the dvd, worth my time?

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, February 2, 2007 at 11:56 AM (EST)

    pretty sure it was "uncool" to like this band after From Here to Infirmary, as that, and every album since, has been complete garbage, including this one.

    Posted by sickboi on 2007-02-02 11:46:06

    Paul:

    With a full-glossy booklet with complete liner notes from band members for each song, personal thoughts and reflections are provided for every track on the CD

    ?

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, February 2, 2007 at 10:32 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    oh yea, my score

    Paul

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, February 2, 2007 at 10:31 AM (EST)

    totally essential for any fan or anyone who was a fan up until Crimson and it became un cool to be a fan anymore.

    how 'green beers' and 'hell yes' got left off 'infirmiry is beyond me'

    i also havent heard anyone talking about the awesome linear notes??? there's interviews with all 3 members of the band for each song and some of the notes are quite extensive and I learned quite a few interesting things , like where the title of 'jaked on green beers' came from, how dan thinks 'queen of pain' is one of their best songs, etc.

    definitely worth the 9.99 and I haven't even taken a look at the bonus dvd. the linear notes, lyrics and songs make it more than worth it, especially for anyone who doesnt have both splits (which I do and I still found this worth it, to have all those ntoes and have everything on one disc)

    almost as aswesome as cocktails and dreams. I forgot how much I used to love this band til I popped this in.

    Paul

    Posted by primeevil7 on 2007-02-02 10:29:21
    My Score:

    This is the trio's best CD.

    Also, my hope is that the earlier unreleased tracks will end up on the Asian Man reissues of Goddamnit and Maybe I'll Catch Fire.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, February 2, 2007 at 10:21 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    yeah what is this cover? seriously? anyone?

    i was kind of disapointed with the DVD. yeah it has some cool shit like old school reasons live, and some funny parts. but its nothing really of substance. just short clips of random shit.

    Posted by LaredoKid on 2007-02-02 10:12:32
    My Score:

    ewwwwwe! I'll be sure to stay away from this.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, February 2, 2007 at 9:45 AM (EST)

    i was going to make almost the same exact post as superscrabo. where are those songs?? i don't need the splits repeated, I need Heaven and Frankenstein, etc.

    Posted by superskabro on 2007-02-02 09:31:43

    Sheesh. This shit is good, just not as definitive as it could've been. No "Wash Away", no "Over At The Frankenstein Place", no "Halloween", no "Children in Heat", no alternate "Blue in the Face", no alternate "Fatally Yours", no accoustic "Snake Oil Tanker" and no "Heaven". The Live tracks are nice but not neccesary. The HWM and OMA split tracks are all still in print too. Better start working on a 3rd b-sides disc boys, and throw on that Smoking Popes cover while you're at it.

    Posted by hubitcherkokov on 2007-02-02 09:03:29

    I don't really see the point in including the Hot Water Music and One Man Army splits (especially considering that there's approximately 2.5 decent Alkaline Trio songs on the two of them combined) because they're still in print. I'd rather have their Halloween 7", their acoustic version of "Snake Oil Tanker," and I thought they released another special "covers" 7" recently, but I'm probably wrong.

    Also, all-time disagreeing on "Rooftops" - that cover huffs some thick, veiny dongs. Hot Water Music did Alkaline Trio songs better than the Alkaline Trio.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, February 2, 2007 at 7:08 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    score is for the new Youth Group-oldpunker-

    Posted by punk_rawk_show on 2007-02-02 06:30:25

    "Anyone else find Matt Skiba as a balding Skater disturbing?"

    Nope, good on him, keep it real

    Posted by riversmonkey on 2007-02-02 03:42:15
    My Score:

    Anyone else find Matt Skiba as a balding Skater disturbing?

    Posted by JonDaley on 2007-02-02 02:21:50
    My Score:

    mmmmmmmmm tasty

    Posted by ConsolationPrizefighter on 2007-02-02 02:21:21
    My Score:

    Barring the fact that I don't agree with some of the content they placed on here in lieu of other songs, well, I still think this is a very solid compilation of A3 music.

    Posted by GlassPipeMurder on 2007-02-02 02:09:39
    My Score:

    Don't Say You Won't, My Standard Break From Life, Jaked on Green Beers are all amazing, as are all the tracks from the One Man Army split. i wish they hadn't included those and the hwm songs though and included other rarities like from the rocky horror punk show.

    Posted by ryanbolger on 2007-02-02 01:24:11

    this album is not complete without the "blue in the face" demo.

    Posted by not-to-regret on 2007-02-02 01:16:51
    My Score:

    That cover art bothers me, take if away from the ads on this site.

    Posted by david_arquette on 2007-02-02 01:08:35

    He tells that story about the skatepark everytime he comes to Arizona.

    Posted by Holy_Balls on 2007-02-02 01:04:52

    I didnt bother with the review. I dont feel like reading right now. I feel like snacking. Someone bring me some white cheddar cheez-its. This band is good. white cheddar cheez-its.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, February 2, 2007 at 1:02 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    has-beens.

    Posted by BrendanKelly on 2007-02-02 00:38:48
    My Score:

    hahahahahahahahaha