Occasionally side-projects can be funny business. Sometimes they give a band member to step out of their realm and try something different musically. For Alkaline Trio’s Matt Skiba ‘Babylon’ gives him that opportunity, the chance to “go it alone” and according to the press release ‘Babylon’ is described as “ten-tracks of addictively dancy rock and sing along melodies.” For a longtime Alkaline Trio fan, ‘Babylon’ could be an intriguing and possibly an unnerving record.
However fans can be reassured as Skiba has more or less stuck to his roots as tracks such as ‘Voices’ and ‘All Fall Down’ have that distinctive Skiba-led Trio sound.
Whilst ‘Babylon’ gives Skiba the opportunity to break out on his own, its clear on tracks like ‘Luciferian Blues’ and ’The End of Joy’ that he’s more than willing to stick to his punk rock origins as both tracks could easily be seen as Alkaline Trio tracks.
Nevertheless ‘You’ and ‘Falling Like Rain’ does allow Skiba to explore his electronic side. The former is an atmospheric number which combines well Skiba’s soaring melodies and driving guitars giving the track an equal balance between the two. Whilst ‘Falling Like Rain’ is a synth-led number that takes its influence from 80’s pop and although it somewhat sticks out like a sore thumb, Skiba pulls it off well in his dark demeanor.
In terms of being a side-project/solo album, Matt Skiba and the Sekrets is a success as ‘Babylon’ has all the favorable characteristics of an Alkaline Trio record and gives Skiba the opportunity to sensibly expand his sound but not to the extent where he alienates fans. Although some may complain that it sounds too much like an Alkaline Trio record, you can’t fault Skiba as he still makes the record his own and allows himself to highlights his talents especially in the songwriting department. A worthy solo effort that should definitely keep Trio fans tied over for now.
4.5/5
‘Babylon’ by Matt Skiba and the Sekrets is available now on Superball Music.
Matt Skiba and the Sekrets links: Facebook
Words by Sean Reid
