Phillyist Playlist: Alkaline Trio, The Dear & Departed at the Troc

Dear and Departed Photo Courtesy Equal Vision Records

Obviously influenced by The Clash and AFI (which totally makes sense because we've already told you about AFI's fresh take on the sound in "Veronica Sawyer Smokes"), The Dear & Departed rocks out their new EP, Chapters. "Matter of Time" reminds us of "It Hurts" from Angels and Airwaves. "Tambourine Love" makes us think something to the effect of: "snare, snap, clap—dance, dance, dance!" (For the record, those are both Good Things.) Okay, so it's kind of a silly lyric. But so is "Love Cats." The hook is good, and so's the bridge. We're already in the process of constructing a new sunny day playlist themed around "Tambourine Love" and fun.'s "Barlights." Anyway, if you're a fan of 80s Brit Pop-Goth-Punk and the products it spawned, you'll probably want to make your way to Chinatown tonight where the boys from SoCal are opening up for old favorites, Alkaline Trio.

The last time we saw Alkaline Trio it was with Saves the Day at Croc Rock. Despite being in Allentown, we're pretty fond of Croc Rock. (What? It has multiple bar areas and expansive floor space. Go see and then judge.) Perhaps it's just because it was drummer Derek Grant's birthday, but they absolutely killed their set there. To be fair, we've been listening to Alk3 for a solid decade plus now and we can't ever remember a show where they've disappointed. However, their seventh studio album, This Addiction has us a little torn. With thirteen tracks of "back to basics" (plus four bonus acoustic takes of "This Addiction," "Dine, Dine My Darling," "Dead on the Floor," and "Fine"), Trio almost makes us want to just go ahead and listen to the real old stuff, instead of the old-sounding new stuff. This Addiction just happens to be one of those albums that improves after a few listens. We're gradually growing attached to "The American Scream," and the synth-filled "Eating Me Alive." and we're hoping that old and new mixed results in the same great Alkaline Trio live set we know and love. We're pretty sure it will tonight.

Alkaline Trio with Cursive and The Dear & Departed
Thursday, 3/11/10
Doors 7:00pm, Show 8:00pm, All Ages
The Trocadero (1003 Arch Street)
Tickets: SOLD OUT! (off to craigslist with you!)