Addicted to pop-punk predictability

After sort of abandoning its goth-punk roots with some slick production on the last two albums, Alkaline Trio’s latest, “This Addiction,” is a return to form.

“Addiction” sounds fairly similar to 2005’s “Crimson,” 2008’s “Agony and Irony” and even 2003’s “Good Mourning,” which means it’s full of short, bursting pop-punk ditties with slightly gothic undertones.

And all that’s fine, especially on standouts like the title track and “Dead on the Floor,” which overcomes Matt Skiba’s cliched lyrics about temporary romance. But the album lies in a slightly redundant area that isn’t as aggressive as the debut, “Goddamnit,” or as surprisingly poppy as “Crimson.”

Most of the tracks on “Addiction” are fun, quick listens, but not one features a truly soaring pop-punk hook. Instead, the album plods along in a mid-tempo lull that is far from memorable after the album’s 34 minutes end. 

Alkaline Trio are what we thought they were, and if you’ve been a fan of the band for the last decade, “This Addiction” won’t disappoint. But it will probably bore you.