Matt Skiba & the Sekrets Debut Album

Skiba all done up in a promotional shot for his solo debut, Matt Skiba & the Sekrets

They very first album review I wrote for Morty's Corner was for Matt Skiba's (Alkaline Trio) side project, theHELL.  Skiba, along with drummer Atom Willard, founded theHELL and quickly put together an orgasmic four song, self-titled EP for punk rockers to enjoy.  It was raw, fast-paced, and downright old school.  Skiba had brought back The Misfits' twisted imagery, The Descendants' short length songs, and The Damned's catchy choruses.  Well, Alkaline Trio's front man is back again today with a debut solo album, Babylon.

Whereas theHELL was simply put together by two rock dudes who enjoy motorcycles and Pabst Blue Ribbons, Matt Skiba's solo work, under the moniker of Matt Skiba & the Sekrets, takes on a new style and new sound.

With each band Skiba has been in - whether that be Alkaline Trio, Heavens, or theHELL - he has collaborated with another musician or group of musicians.  However, that is not to say Skiba was in the studio by himself or will be up on stage with only an acoustic guitar with his newly formed Matt Skiba & the Sekrets.  Even though each song was lyrically and musically created by Skiba, he has one hell of a backing band supporting his solo endeavor.  Besides Skiba on the guitar, he called up AFI bassist Hunter Burgan and My Chemical Romance drummer Jason Alexander to lend their skills to record and play live.

The influences from Alkaline Trio are always going to be with Skiba. As the founding and only original member remaining, the singer has no choice.  However, Skiba's solo debut is his own mind's creation.  The music has a touch of the Trio, but with the heavy use of synthesizers and loops on "Falling Like Rain" or "How the Hell Did We Get Here?" the listener's ears ring of new inspiration from the front man.  Skiba has always referenced a love for 80s dance music, some current electronic stuff, and wanting to incorporate the two genres more, but he has never had the chance to expand musically with Alkaline Trio to this extent because that just is not what they do - they rock hard.  Do not run Trio fans!  Trust me, the new sounds are a pleasant change and work very well with the heavily Alkaline Trio-sounding "All Fall Down" and "Luciferian Blues."

By looking at the song titles it is easy to see Skiba's lyrical content has not changed.  Although he admitted to writing his first love song ever on this album, Skiba does not stray from the words that have mesmerized fans and impressed peers in the music business.  Skiba's lyrical affinity for paranoia, loneliness, loss, the one they call Lucifer, and alcohol indulgence are his battle cry.  Too many lyricists and front men try to capture similar feelings as Skiba shares, but all too often come off as sounding "emo" or depressed.  Lyrically, Matt Skiba simply does not put off that vibe.  His lyrics, while dark, are often a reference to a friend's experience or a dramatization of a scenario and how he has dealt with it, never once bitching or whining about his lot in life.  Also, with the addition of "You" (the one love song), heartfelt lyrics such as "It's alive once again/ I feel it pounding in my chest and it hurts like it should/ A sharp pain that feels so good/ With your arms 'round my neck leaving me a melting wreck," leave the listener with a sense of happiness; a rare emotion expressed after hearing a traditional Matt Skiba song.

While I loved the album front to back, I have to admit I am quite worried about the live show.  For the Babylon promotional photos, Skiba has been showing up in a full Native American headdress (as seen in the picture above).  "The Sekrets" front man has also gone on to dress normally in promotional interviews, but promised the headdress and full costume will be on him while preforming.  Skiba has continued to hint at dance routines and turning the show into an almost "rock opera."  What the fuck?  For those who listen to the Trio, you know they have the tendency to put on some make-up once and awhile, but dance routines and rock operas?  I hope this is not a cooler version of Green Day's American Idiot and 21st Century Breakdown spectacles, sweet Jesus.  There is no question I will go and see Matt Skiba & the Sekrets live, I just hope I do not feel like I am a tour of "It's A Small World."

All in all, the album is GREAT.  If love the album like I do, but you do not buy the entire thing on iTunes, just buy one or two songs to support the artist and then download the rest online!

Favorite Song: Angel of Deaf
While the entire album is loud and full of instrumentation, "Angel of Deaf" closes out the ten song list with just Skiba and an acoustic guitar.  For anyone who loves the acoustic Alkaline Trio songs, this is the one for you!  It is classic Skiba, from lyrics to simple guitar notes, and was actually one of the four songs off of Babylon that were originally released on a demo tape released by him called Demos. 

Take a listen to the second promotional single from Babylon, "All Fall Down:"