If you don’t already have this album, shame on you. Seriously though, if it’s not in your collection already then it needs to be – arguably Alk3’s finest work it’s a raw and passionate record that is light years ahead of some of the dross which has followed it. That said, I’m not a fan of re-issues and this remastered re-release comes complete with four new demos and a DVD, making it one for completists only.
To give a quick summary for those who haven’t heard the album before, the dual vocal attack of Skiba and Andriano is what makes this band so, so good for me. Lyrically they’re on the darker side but this is always juxtaposed well with catchy songs that aren’t overly poppy. They always seem to get it right – ‘Clavicle’, ‘Cringe’ and ‘My Little Needle’ are all classics and one of the reasons why this record is so revered. Does it need re-releasing? In my eyes it needs to take something special to put out an album again and while this is a fantastic record I have to deduct points for the fact it’s in circulation again. That said, it’s one of the best records of our generation and so I guess we can forgive the band and Asian Man/Hassle…