Good Mourning is the fourth studio album by American punk rock band Alkaline Trio, released May 13, 2003 on Vagrant Records. Background and production Towards the end of May 2002, the band recorded their next album; they "decided that waiting until after Warped Tour would be too long." Recording sessions were held at Cello Studios with producers Joe McGrath and Jerry Finn. The album marks the first appearance of drummer Derek Grant, described by vocalist/guitarist Matt Skiba as "a whole new influence." During recording, both Skiba and vocalist/bassist Dan Andriano were ill. Alkaline Trio had planned a tour with One Man Army in early 2003, but the tour was cancelled due to Skiba having strained vocal chords; the album's recording was subsequently delayed. Brian Gardner mastered the recordings at Bern Grundman Mastering. Skiba describes the album as sounding "bigger, deeper and rawer" than its predecessor, From Here to Infirmary. In a 2003 interview, Matt Skiba stated that Good Mourning: is pretty good. I mean it took us a long time to do and I think most of the people that I talk to that make records and stuff, there's always stuff that you wish you did better or maybe a little differently. I've never been able to avoid that, even with this. There's things that I wish I had done maybe a little differently. But that also comes with just listening to it and living with it for so long that until it's done you won't really hear things in that way until it's like too late I guess. But I would say for the most part that I'm really happy with it. Composition Discussing the title, Skiba said he was having breakfast near the studio, and his waiter said good morning' to me and it's just kinda like the double meaning/spelling kinda registered and I just called everyone and I was like, 'How about Good Mourning with a U?' and everybody liked it equally as much so we used it." He said the Ramones and the Damned served as big influences on the album. "We've Had Enough" features backing vocals from Keith Morris of Circle Jerks. Release On January 23, 2003, the album's title was revealed as Good Mourning. On February 11, Good Mourning was announced for release in three months' time; alongside this, the album's track listing was posted online. On March 18, the album's artwork was revealed.