The latest release from Alkaline Trio loosely traces the journey of addiction beginning with the title track, “This Addiction,” and concluding with self-acceptance expressed in the punk-enthused ballad, “Fine.” The question becomes what are the artists of Alkaline Trio addicted to: bad relationships, death or just the same sound interpreted over a series of 11 songs?

The album does not push the bounds of the punk genre and instead caters to a more conventional audience, transporting the listener back to the days of high school where the friendly punk kids color Sharpie on their fingernails in the corner of the classroom. This Addiction, the album, can best be understood as the oxymoron feel-good angst. At times this emotional interpretation is confusing and falls just short of satisfactory.

In “Off the Map,” the lyrics “I’m like a junkie for your smart mouth” and “I’m draped in silver lining” appear in the same song and escalate the confusion. Any lyrics can be made to sound amazing with the right emotional sincerity, but Alkaline Trio seems to be holding back vocally and has taken the heart right out of its songs and instead printed it on the cover of its album.

Some of the most interesting lyrics on the album come from the song “American Scream,” which makes an interesting play on the idea of the American dream by juxtaposing the idea of baseball with violence.

“Dead on the Floor” exemplifies Matt Skiba’s safe vocals, but begins with an interesting simile, “Like two ships in the night/ We’re colliding and sinking/ Into the black sea of our love.” If Skiba could transfer some of his guitar’s rawness to his voice, he might truly knock listeners dead on the floor with his music. For now, fans are left with the feeling that he stopped just short of a good intention.

At times, the music even improves without the lyrics. Skiba’s climbing guitar progression in “Lead Poisoning” helps drive the music forward and supports any weakness created by the vocals.

The song “Draculina” is one of the best on the album. The disembodiment of Skiba’s voice in the beginning of the song provides a nice change from his higher, nasal notes. While singing, “Whatever happened to wonderland” and remembering his Draculina, Skiba finally sounds genuine. This breakthrough almost makes the rest of the album worth listening to. “Lead Poisoning” also departs from Alkaline Trio’s usual fodder with the introduction of the trumpet blending ska influences with pop-punk.

Alkaline Trio also captivates with its song, “Eating Me Alive.” An ethereal synth in the background will refresh listeners, and the brief echo effect at the end of chorus lines propels Skiba’s voice through the airwaves.

“This Addiction,” along with most other songs on the album, demonstrates drummer Derek Grant’s clean style, but at times it feels like he plays a little too on the beat, forgetting to bring the power.

If the power of the songs is any indication of the intensity of Alkaline Trio’s addiction, they should have no problem coming clean.

2 stars out of 5.