In the near future I hope to launch a brand new broadcast endeavor The 5 Songs Podcast where I have select guests on to play any 5 songs they want for any reason, then we talk about said songs and hope an interview breaks out. I know what you’re thinking “Mike, you’re a wannabe internet talk show host not a wannabe online disc jockey, what is this? turning down the bro?“ Well i’ve spun a tune or two in my early days and since there will be no live TTRO this week (due to my gout foot needing medical attention) I decided to get my (gout) feet wet with the whole 5 songs idea. In honor of (The) Alkaline Trio’s “best of” acoustic record damnesia set to release on July 12th as well as alk3’s bassist/crooner putting out his own solo record August 9th I give you the very first 5 songs podcast, in blog form: Alkaline Trio: The Dan Andriano Collection. I will preface this by saying I don’t know a thing about music except “Hey! I like that song” or “Eh don’t like that song a whole lot.” Also this list is limited to Alk3 songs although his solo split with former Trio/Smoking Popes drummer Mike Felumlee is good too.

#5 Take Lots With Alcohol off From Here to Infirmary

I guess I have to write something here or the spacing will look like shit. Good tune I think the drum beat actually makes the song, ironically (That’s Detroit’s own Derek Grant formerly of the Suicide Machines on drums in this video). I think I use too many commas and semi colons.

#4 Love Love Kiss Kiss off Agony and Irony

Agony and Irony is probably my least favorite Alkaline Trio album. It does have a few gems; I think “Calling All Skeletons” is the band’s strongest first track as well as this one. Lyrics are a bit cheesy but the melody is infectious and “Do you curse the happy couple? Do you cringe at wedding bells? Do you drink up all the punch while you wish ’em all to hell?” Is my favorite line on the record. Alk3 guitarist/co lead singer Matt Skiba makes an appearance in the bridge.

# 3 Emma off Good Mourning

I remember reading somewhere; years and years ago; probably on the internet; about how Matt Skiba and Dan Andriano decided to write a song for the other one to sing on “Good Mourning;” Andriano wrote “Fatally Yours” for Skiba and Skiba wrote this one about some vampire chick but I couldn’t find anything on google to confirm it.

# 2 Crawl off From Here to Infirmary

Pure (teen) angst, probably because I was a teenager when I bought my first copy of “From Here to Infirmary.” To me D.A’s voice captures the gut wrenching, world ending feeling of unrequited teenage infatuation better than anyone but at the end of “Crawl” he takes us to the opposite end of the spectrum; apathetic dejection.

#1 Standard Break from Life Off Remains/UK Bonus Track From Here to Infirmary

Oooh a b-side how very Midtown of me. Alk3 is one of a few bands whose b-sides are just as or almost as good as their album tracks. B-side doesn’t always mean “song that didn’t make the cut” a lot of times they’re just “song that don’t fit in on the album.” “Standard Break” is pure pop/punk/folky/goth/rock ear candy. It bounced around in my head over and over during a time of my life where I didn’t own a CD burner, iPod or high speed internet connection. Imagine my frustration trying to find the extended UK version of “From Here to Infirmary” on Interpunk.

Differing opinions are always welcome. Heres a guy who may agree/disagree with some of my list. You may as well; feel free to leave a comment or let me know on Facebook or Twitter. I’d like to say we’ll read the best comments and tweets on air but we probably won’t since our listeners don’t care about devil music (there’s only about 5 of them) but we can be internet friends!