What makes Remains by Alkaline Trio notable?

Remains is significant as it captures the band's evolution by presenting acoustic versions and live recordings that highlight their lyrical depth. The album reflects a growing trend in alternative rock during the mid-2000s where stripped-down arrangements became increasingly popular among fans seeking more personal connections to artists. At the time of its release in 2007, Remains served as a compilation of rarities for Alkaline Trio, following their acclaimed album, Crimson. This album represents a pause in their discography, allowing fans to revisit earlier songs in new formats while also introducing unreleased material.

Remains works well if you're into intimate acoustic reflections, emotional live performance energy and varied pacing for exploration.

How many songs are on Remains?

Remains has 14 tracks, running approximately 49 minutes.

Remains

Alkaline Trio · 2007

49 min · 14 tracks · alternative rock

An intimate collection of acoustic renditions and live performances showcasing the raw emotionality of Alkaline Trio's songwriting.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Private Eye (acoustic) — This acoustic version strips back the original’s energy to reveal haunting vulnerability in the lyrics, showcasing the band's talent for emotional storytelling.
→
Crawl (acoustic) — The acoustic rendition emphasizes the song's themes of struggle and introspection, allowing listeners to connect deeply with its poignant message.
→
Cringe (live) — As a live performance, this track captures the raw energy and audience interaction that defines Alkaline Trio's presence, adding a layer of authenticity.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

40 /100

Lowland

Higher than 1% of albums we've rated

The album showcases a mix of acoustic and live performances but lacks strong cohesion due to its varied content.

What we noticed

The first three tracks are acoustic renditions, establishing a stripped-down sound before transitioning to live recordings.
The album includes multiple versions of the same song, such as 'Crawl,' which appears both acoustically and live, creating a sense of familiarity.
The last four tracks feature remixes and a demo, which diverges from the acoustic and live focus of the earlier songs.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 5/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 4/10

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

intimate acoustic reflections
emotional live performance energy
varied pacing for exploration
thoughtful late-night listening

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Deep Cut — A compilation of rarities that showcases the band's evolution without being a primary entry point.
Career context: At the time of its release in 2007, Remains served as a compilation of rarities for Alkaline Trio, following their acclaimed album, Crimson. This album represents a pause in their discography, allowing fans to revisit earlier songs in new formats while also introducing unreleased material.
Stylistic neighbors: The Wonder Years· Brand New· Taking Back Sunday