I realise that I may be slightly biased in reviewing this album, especially seeing as I’m a die hard Blink182 fan (always was, always will be). For those of you who aren’t aware, Angels and Airwaves is the lovechild of Blink182 frontman, Tom DeLonge who formed the group in 2005, right after the horrible, HORRIBLE decision to cut Blink182 out of the musical spectrum (or as they put it, engage in an ‘indefinate hiatus…pfft!)
Yes, its safe to say that I was still slightly peeved with Blink182’s decision to hang up their guitars and go their seperate ways, but I still decided to give Angels and Airwaves first album, ‘We don’t need to whisper’ a fighting chance to win my affections.
I can’t deny that DeLonge’s promise of a record that would “change the world” seemed slightly ridiculous to me, but, despite the pretentious music videos (that saw DeLonge flail about in the style of Bono and other such narcissists) Angels and Airwaves seemed to have a little something special. I bought the album, and made it my business to praise the good tracks whenever I could. (Note: The Adventure and Start the Machine are awesome songs).
Yes, Angels and Airwaves (or AVA as they prefer to be called) were decent, but I was still having major Blink182 withdrawrel. Neither of the side projects: +44 (with Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker) or AVA (with DeLonge) had the energy or the effortless style of Blink182.
By the time the second album was released n the UK on the 6th of November 2007, I was hoping that AVA would give me something to capture my imagination and lead me out of my Blink-related mourning, besides, they’d been pretty close with their first album.
Unfortunately, it was not to be…
‘I-Empire’, AVA’s second album, is quite simply a bad reincarnation of the ’We Don’t Need to Whisper’. The songs are, structurally and musically extremely similar, but lack the energy and intelligence that was displayed in the first.
It seems that Delonge and his team of top rate musicians (including Atom Willard of The Offspring, Matt Watcher of Thirty Seconds to Mars, and David Kennedy of Boxcar Racer) had run out of ideas.
The AVA lyrics have never been particularly up to scratch (Blink’s best lyrics were written by bassist, Mark hoppus) and, ‘I-empire’ is certainly NO exception.
“Do you ever feel like you’re alone,
Do you ever wish you’d be unknown?”
*Ahem*
Not exactly awe inspiring are they?
Another thing that REALLY bothered me (although petty) is the album artwork. The faces of the band peer out of the front cover with looks of wonderment that are supposed to scream ‘I am an artist and I am going to make the world a better place with my music’. To me they scream ‘I think an awful lot of myself’.
I shan’t go onto list everything that is wrong with this album, because I don’t have the time. Though, if you’re a 15 year old music ‘fan’, who is primarily interested in acquiring a commercial scene-friendly album with no lyrical or musical depth then this is certainly for you. Ditto if you feel like you’d like to listen to a carbon copy of the first album.
If, like me, you’d prefer to see DeLonge reaching his potential as a recording artist and you absolutely no interest in pretentious concept albums that claim to change the world in a single note (especially ones that don’t live up to hype), then, don’t bother.
The saddest thing is, is that this CD is actually a decent contribution to the charts. Its moderately listenable, but, I expected alot more…especially after the success of their debut album.
There was always going to be trouble for a band who percieved to be the next Pink Floyd. Tom, if you’re reading this, do us all a favour: Stop being a pretentious asshole and reform Blink. You’ll never beat what you once had…
I happen to think that both ava and +44 are credible bands in their own right, and although not as commercially viable as blink, probably better. Now, i happen to be quite a big blink fan, having bought all of their albums and the such, and, though i thoroughly enjoyed them all, I don’t need to whisper probably earned my support after the first listen whereas all the blink albums are growers, 9at least for me). Don’t bring back blink, it would be a step in the wrong direction.
This is my opinion people, do not hate me for it. Hate me for something else instead.
Gareth, you’re 10% entitled to your opinion, and its a decent opinion.
Sadly though, after seeing both +44 AND Blink182 live, I can tell you that, whether you’re a fan of the side projects or not, there is an extremely viable and noticable difference in their performances…One that sets Blink apart.
I doubt anyone will ever see a stage show as fantastic as one of last UK show Blink ever played in Cardiff.
I haven’t seen AVA yet, but I’m not expecting anything too good.
and when I said 10% I meant 100%….Typing error.
Gareth, where have you been all this time? I’ve missed your cutting remarks on my blog.
I thought the 10% entitled to your opinion was classic. I might steal that bit.
Having now listened to ava’s new album i think it as good as anything that blink ever released and it comes in at number 3 in my 5 cd disc changer. Just behind Wheatus too soon monsoon and damien rice 9.
Maybe my opinion is invalid.
(the other 2 albums are futureheads and the phonics.)
Well personally I think AVA is a very inspiring band. quote on quote”Angels and Airwaves seemed to have a little something special”Yeah they are very special but like you said(Basically) what could compare to Blink. and your right.Like you, I’m also going through Blink-mourning.Well who didn’t, they rocked. But you didn’t have to go such in depth with the AVA newest C.D. It was like a copy of the first one pretty much, but It still was good.I followed tom all the way from blink to AVA.Sure he’ll never beat what he once had, but don’t you think your being just a little harsh on him? come on give the dude a break.Yeah he broke up with blink, but i’m sure he was confused and tired of people calling him gay and mean stuff like that. It probably got to him.I’m not telling you not to hate him or anything I’m just saying….