Review 9 of 18

poserhater writes:

2of 5 Stars

I really wanted to like this album. I love Blink and Box Car Racer. Unfortunately it's just too damn boring and redundant. It's a blanket statement to say that all the songs sound alike but here it seems true. Every song (with maybe one or two minor exceptions) is a dreamy lovesong with the same pointless lyrics, same tempo, same riffs, same cheesy sound fx, etc. The way Tom drawwws out every worrrd is exceptionally annoying. The samples we got of these types of tunes on the last Blink album were more than enough. They in no way required an entire album devoted to them. Tom definitely generated too much hype touting this album as "everything you love and better". Instead he should have just put out a disclaimer: THIS ALBUM WILL PUT YOU TO SLEEP.

May 31, 2006 14:47:52

Review 10 of 18

drowningbynumber writes:

4of 5 Stars

Yes this album was overhyped by the band, especially Tom. But by no means is it as bad of an album as RS says it is. Some songs are a bit redundant (A Little's Enough), but others more than make up for it (Valkyrie Missle, Do It For Me Now). Delonge may have not grown much lyrically, but the music is large and grand. This is the type of album that I have been searching for for years. RS is just unwilling to give their more experienced reviewer this album. It almost seems that they don't want Tom to do well. To give this album such a poor review shows an amazing amount of closemindedness by a usually open minded magazine. Kerrang gave the album a 4 out of 5, which is legit. This album is not the greatest ever, but it clearly deserves more credit than it is recieving.

May 31, 2006 12:06:17

Review 11 of 18

justboytimmy writes:

2of 5 Stars

this record is at best average. I feel that the hype surrounding this record was far too over the top and tom should have approached this project with the tactfullness of Plus-44, travis and marks new band. Fair enough the idea of a concept album has to be comended and traks like the war and the single, the adventure would hold their own on any u2 album with their thumping guitar lines and sweeping melodies. I was excited to hear this record but in the end the wannabe emo mentality of "we dont need to wisper" feel short of impressing me. Tom needed to grow up, but you cant help but feel, has he grown up too much. I look forward to hearing Plus-44 and seeing what direction they have taken post-blink!

May 31, 2006 01:58:02

Review 12 of 18

Alkalineangels writes:

5of 5 Stars

I'm pretty sure R.S. enjoys tearing apart albums that are built up a lot simply to go against the grain. They have probably been waiting to do this since Tom DeLonge first started with his overblown (yes, he did go overboard a bit)statements. And while Tom may have built it up too much for it to ever live up to its own hype, it truly is an incredible album. Given the fact that it is a concept album, which is pretty rare these days, it is all the more impressive. The band has really succeeded in creating a big sound that invokes a wide range of emotions, mostly an inspiring sense of hope and positivity. Granted, it is a very different sound that took me even some time to get used to, with a big ode to U2 and The Cure, but with a new sound all its own At first, I was even a little disappointed, but given the chance a few times from start to finish, this album really shines.One of my favorites is Do It For Me Now, a great love song with a different, but beautifully uplifting guitar riff, and lyrics that show how much Tom has matured. Start The Machine is another gem, (the album is actually full of them) as DeLonge says goodbye to his past, moving on towards a light at the end of a dark tunnel. Alright, now that I've written a novel here, I'll wrap it up. But for anyone listening to this album, just give it some time to let it fully sink in, and most (not all) people will find it to be one of the best albums to come out in a long time.

May 30, 2006 18:09:43

Review 13 of 18

jcdawg31 writes:

5of 5 Stars

No props to the Rolling Stone writers on this one! This is one of the best albums I have heard in a long time. Tom Delonge has definately stepped outside the box and created music with a meaning. Angels and Airwaves begins th album with a bang with their song "Valkyrie Missile," and then keep pressing forward with songs such as "Do It For Me Now," "The Adventure," "The War," and "Start The Machine." Using epic delay effects and exteamly experimental songwriting give all ten songs the potential to become a hit single. "We Don't Need To Whisper" is definately a must have album.

May 28, 2006 19:44:48

Review 14 of 18

baxter05 writes:

4of 5 Stars

Just shows how much rolling stone speaks for the people. It seems like unless there some new "hipster" band (the artic monkeys) or a classic artist (neil young, who i have nothing aginst) they give it an amazing review. I just think they dont wanna give Delonge an co the review they deserve because they (the band) spoke so highly of this album. Frankly, Im for the most part a metal head, and i even liked this album. I liked blink when i was in like 7th grade (a little kid) and when listening back to them now its deff not my cup of tea. But this album i think has a really new sound for this time in music. Also it seemed like there was NOTHING in the review about the lyrics and how delonge really grew as a lyricist. It awesome to hear a album now using certian events as metaphors and saying no matter how bad things can get there IS hope. I've looked to rolling stone for their thoughts on albums and lately it seems like they dont know 2 shits of what they are talking about. Like i said, if its not hipster music or a classic artist bashing bush bluntly (not saying im a fan of bush) seems like R.S. doesnt give 2 shits. I think kids my age (mid 20's and under) just really needed an album like this at this time.

May 27, 2006 19:43:48

Review 15 of 18

trigganometry30 writes:

5of 5 Stars

Close circuit to Rolling Stone and its writers...this is the sound of what real music is. How can you say this album is worse than Rihanna's new one. Who? Anyways, this album sparkles from the opening bass licks of Valkyrie Missile, to the closing and memorable track Start The Machine. With such lyrics as "If love's a word that you say, say it and I will listen", this album is perfection and has many similarities to classic U2, The Cure and even some Pink Floyd. If you loved Blink-182, this is pretty much one you'll love too. The difference is now Tom Delonge is all grown up, and singing his songs and playing his guitars with a single purpose, to untite the world. Buy it and it'll be in your cd player non-stop.

May 27, 2006 16:45:44

Review 16 of 18

TCA writes:

5of 5 Stars

An album which will no doubt bring split opinions with them ranging from 'terrible' to 'awe-inspiring'. I go strongly for the latter and must begin by saying that these songs are the work of an excellent songwriter in Tom DeLonge.

Not only does this 10 track album amaze but it does from all the way through from Valykrie Missile onwards. The songs scream euphoria and the first single "The Adventure" is as epic a song I have ever heard.

Be warned though, I myself have heard people opinions through my friends and whilst some feel the same sense of euphoric listening, others dismiss it as average. An opinion which confuses me in the extreme.

Fans of Blink should not buy this in a hope of a continued punk rock experience. This album loses the immaturity of Blink 182 in favour of a sound reminiscent of Pink Floyd and The Cure. But nonetheless, they should buy it on the album's merits alone.

Buy it. Love it.

May 27, 2006 12:43:00