I-Empire

Angels & Airwaves

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 6, 2007)
• Original Release Date: November 6, 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Geffen Records
• ASIN: B000VZAV08
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (92 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #6,899 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Released only two years after Blink-182 announced its indefinite hiatus, the second album by singer-guitarist Tom DeLonge's other band, Angels & Airwaves, makes it feel like a lifetime. There's not a single poop joke or bubblegum punk anthem to be found among the grand themes of I-Empire, an album that finds the shrill frontman grappling with politics, paranoia, and the spiritual world. Unlike the contributions to his former group's last self-titled release, however, DeLonge has finally realized that getting mature doesn't mean getting boring. For all its cathartic lyrics, I-Empire is actually packed with dazzling, fast-moving songs, like "Everything's Magic" and "Sirens," that bring together U2's widescreen guitar flights with tuneful, straightforward punk melodies. This could very well be his best work yet.--Aidin Vaziri

Product Description

Angels & Airwaves first single "Everything's Magic," is a synth-rock anthem that resonates with a refreshing spirit and inspired energy. "Just sit back and hold on tight," sings Tom DeLonge in the song, offering sound advice for the entire album.

Angels & Airwaves is former blink-182 & Box Car Racer guitarist/vocalist Tom DeLonge, Offspring drummer Atom Willard, David Kennedy notably from Hazen Street and Box Car Racer and now former 30 Seconds to Mars bassist Matt Wachter. (Bassist Ryan Sinn, formerly of The Distillers, departed from the band earlier this year).

I-Empire, Angels & Airwaves second album was written and produced by Tom DeLonge.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A worthy follow-up to We Don't Need To Whisper, November 8, 2007

By	H. Yu "smashnthrash" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Already, I-Empire is one of the best albums of the year (if not THE best). Of all the CD's I've listened to this year, this one, by far, is very optimistic and uplifting, to say the least. The anthemic, 80's synth-pop, stadium-rock sound works very well here. And if it does sound formulaic, so be it! Very heartfelt and inspirational too! Tom DeLonge has definitely come a long way from his Blink-182 days, and I'm all the more glad for it! Instead of the usual bratty, toilet humor, we get mature, "reach for the sky" sentiments, that is, keep going, no matter what happens to you in life. Honestly, I think that's what we need more nowadays. By the way, forget about that Rolling Stone critic who gave this fine CD only 2 1/2 stars. According to the review, "Blink-182 guitarist is all grown up and synth-poppy. But is that a good thing?" I certainly think so!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Better than the first album., November 5, 2007

By	A.Hoffman (CA USA) - See all my reviews

Whereas "We Don't Need to Whisper" sounded a bit forced and stuck in the eighties, I-Empire brings back Tom Delonge to his element; this move should please both blink fans and fans of AVA alike. There is a much harder rock sound to a lot of the songs on this album, and the slower songs show a side of Tom we've never heard. "Rite of Spring" is also the most personal song he has ever written. This album feels much more thought out as well - there aren't needless wandering instrumental bits stuffed into the songs. Pick it up if you like catchy rock music with a positive theme (the powerful notion that "you can do anything"). Highly recommended.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Once again, November 10, 2007

By	Derrick Jenkins "love of Gaming/Movies/Anime/... (Hampton VA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

the guys do it for a 2nd time. A&A make another high quality, energy filled yet important cd with a message. Its done while having fun and going through different moods from tracks like "Everything's Magic" its fun and irressitible song for them to "Star of Bethlehem" a two minute interlude...unlike other interludes on other albums this one actually warrants listening to.

I was a fan from their first cd "We Don't Need To Whisper" with "I-Empire" the guys have firmly established themselves in this music industry and can/will only go up from here. As this cd is one that can't be ignored by folks at all. Loving the cd from beginning to end it flows from one track to the next with an ease that you seldom experience.

First one was all that...2nd one is all that and so much more!!

5/5 overall