Kids in the Street [Deluxe Edition]

The All-American Rejects | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 26, 2012)
• Original Release Date: 2012
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Deluxe Edition
• Label: Interscope Records
• ASIN: B0077PHLC6
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (54 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #113,768 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Deluxe edition includes four additional tracks plus alternate cover art. 2012 release, the fourth studio album from the Alt-Rock band. The album was produced by Grammy-nominated producer Greg Wells, who is known for his work with Adele, Katy Perry, and OneRepublic, among many others. According to lead singer Tyson Ritter, the album is very different to their past releases - including When the World Comes Down, in which the band experimented, sound-wise. Kids In The Street features the first single 'Beekeeper's Daughter'.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars 1979 April 27, 2012

By Jason Stein VINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

Back in 2002 when AAR first released their debut they reminded me of some 1980's bands that I grew up on as a kid. Of course, they were, and still are, the direct descendents of Blink 182 right down to the note. I like the band, but when I read that they are someone else's favorite band I cringe. I mean, how can a band that is so derivative of other bands before them be someone's favorite band?

Sadly, over the past decade, AAR have not really lived up to the potential I at first thought they had. They have pretty much played it safe, and they only released four albums over the past ten years. Strangely, for a band that consists of guys who grew up in Oklahoma they sound very L.A. They do not embrace their roots like Kings of Leon. And so, AAR remain an enjoyable snack rather than a full course meal.

This is not to say that the band has not tried, because they have. Beginning with their last album "When The World Comes Down", they started playing with their sound, tweaking it here and there with good results. Lyrically, the band is crippled by adolescent desires and college partying. They do not reach for something more meaningful or spiritual, they just stick with childish and naive lyrical outlooks. It is this alone that arrests the true development of this band. They could have been so much further along by now. I mean, Pink can run circles around these guys lyrically.

So here is "Kids In The Street", their fourth album. I bought the deluxe version with the bonus tracks. I went back and listened to all the other AAR albums to keep my criticism fresh. I listened to the new album over the past three weeks multiple times. I gave "Kids In The Street" more than enough time to marinate in my brain cells....

"Someday's Gone" and "Beekeeper's Daughter" are updated versions of the AAR sound--they are instantly identifiable as traditional AAR tracks. "Fast And Slow" is more unusual with its chorus and instrumentation. I liked it, it was something slightly different. The album's power ballad, "Heartbeat Slowing Down" showcases the band's ability to do a melodic love song (or break up song). "Walk Over Me" and "Out The Door" seem like throwaway filler. Dumb party songs.

"Kids In The Street" is a nostalgic look back at one's childhood and finds the band trying something new musically. It's one of the better tracks here. "Bleed Into Your Mind" and "Gonzo" are the two single best tracks here. They show what the band might have done had they had the gall to really go for something different. The band rounds out the regular version of the album with two more ballads, but these are not your typical power ballads. "Affection" is atypical for the band and continues the daring of "Bleed Into Your Mind" and "Gonzo". While "I For You" is a nice acoustic ballad of unrequited love.

Two bonus tracks are demos of songs already appearing in finished form on the regular album, "Someday's Gone" and "Bleed Into Your Mind" and they aren't worth much. The two other tracks "Drown Next To Me" and "Do Me Right" are interesting diversions showing another side of the band. Especially the nearly seven minute "Drown Next To Me"--unusual and intriguing from a band known for their slick, short pop songs.

So with "Kids In The Street" the band experiences growing pains. Will they broaden their musical horizons or just keep repeating the same old formula that has worked for them in the past? I liked "Kids In The Street" better than their debut and "Move Along" and felt it pretty much equaled "When The World Comes Down". While I still believe the band has a ways to go in terms of artistic merits--and someone compared them to Cheap Trick (and they haven't earned anywhere near the musical credentials of Cheap Trick!), they are showing signs of wanting to try other things and this part of them I like. All the best bands have been able to capitalize on their sound while incorporating new musical elements. Again, AAR show potential that just hasn't been realized yet.

Here's how "Kids In The Street" compares to AAR's previous works:

2002 The All-American Rejects: Three and a Half Stars
2005 Move Along: Two and a Half Stars
2008 When The World Comes Down: Four Stars
2012 Kids In The Street: Four Stars Read more ›

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars AMAZING June 10, 2012

By Lana Koudsi

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

I have been an All American Reject fan ever since their first album, Swing Swing. This album DID NOT disappoint me at all! I listen to this album constantly. I honestly do think The All American Rejects are getting better with time. They've always been great, but they just got better. Get this CD if you want to experience them again; if not, you're missing out!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Better with Time April 30, 2012

By B. Davis VINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD

Since the AAR's first released Swing Swing, and their impressive debut, I've waited for them to hit a full length, multi-track stride encore. They've had mega hits (Move Along, Dirty Little Secret,Gives You Hell) but they really haven't had an end-to-end complete effort.

With Kids in the Street- I believe they have done so.

I also have to admit that the first time I listened to the CD, I wasn't impressed. Then I listened to it more- drawn back against efforts (such as the disappointing release by Neon Trees or the Shins) and listened to it more.

On Sirius XM, their recent release 'Walk over Me' is garnering play time. I personally love Gonzo (although I'm not sure it has commercial appeal), and think both 'Heartbeat Slowing Down' and 'Fast & Slow' are additional possible commercial successes.

However, while '1 hit' will ensure the viability of a 5th CD, the story of the work is the continuity of excellence between the first and last tracks- They're just all good. It's an evolutionary- but not revolutionary- departure from the sound they first exhibited on their debut... just as 'Achtung Baby' was for U2.

Will this be as transformational to AAR as 'Achtung Baby' was U2? Probably not commercially (I don't hear a track of the some evocative power as 'One', for example), but - as U2 notes- if not for the travails creating Achtung Baby (and surviving to create it) the band may have disbanded.

The rest is history- and here's hoping to many more fantastic AAR releases.

15 of 21 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars I've waited 4 years... for this?! April 20, 2012

By Gabriel C.

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

Now before I "rant" on this, I'd like you all to know that I was aware their sound had changed and I was completely open to it. In fact, I believe that changing your sound when your creative thoughts change is a good thing and helps musical development. Now, that said, this album isn't good because the music isn't good; not because it's different. I'd say about half of the album is good/tolerable although the rest is either boring, repetitive, and just both in addition to having odd vocals and poorly written lyrics/instrumentals. On that note of instrumentals, I noticed that there is a lot of synthesizer which is so heavy at times it almost sounds like an 80s song and really overshadows the real instruments in the songs. I was also surprised for find several curse words including the f word twice in one song (maybe more, I switched tracks after that) I'm just very disappointed and my trust has been shaken (which is what lead me to buy this without listening to it first which I normally do.) I really hope AAR gets their act together after this if not for the poor songs but for the language considering how they've always been pretty age friendly up till now. Anyway, I suppose it's unfortunately off to BuyBacks to see what I can get. I hate to have an incomplete set and lose the latest album of one of my favorite bands, but this just isn't worth the money I paid or even close.

UPDATE:
After listening a little more I'm considering increasing my rating to 3 stars. I'm still disappointed with the album, some of it's songs, and it's lyrics but it's a little better then I initially though. I also still don't think this album is worth buying and I stand by what I said but it does deserve 2 1/2 or MAYBE 3 stars; no more though....

UPDATE:
Thanks for making this the currently most critical review for this! :) Because of this I figured I might make this more in-depth as far as the songs go to be a little more deserving. (also, as you can see, I did decide to make this 3 stars)

Note: Though some of these song I think are good, I will say that even some of the good songs would fall into the "just ok" section of AAR songs; wouldn't put any of these into my top 15 even.
Track 1: Someday's Gone- One of the better songs of the album. Instruments sound fine, vocals are a little more normal, lyrics are ok, though it's also quite repetitive.Unfortunately has a few d words and even an f word.
Track 2: Beekeeper's Daughter- Probably the song that got me wanting the album in the first place besides loving the band. I'd say it's the best song on the album actually. Instruments are great, vocals are great, lyrics are good, sounds like a normal AAR song and that's what makes it so good.
Track 3: Fast & Slow- First of all, I don't know but these song seems to either be sexual, just suggestive, or about deep love; I really don't know. Regardless, sexual/suggestive seems the most clear making it a possible concern (especially since AAR isn't and never was like this as I said in the original review) Besides this, the song isn't that great anyway. This song is the main reason for me saying some songs are heavy synth really; it's also quite repetitive (yet catchy at times.) Probably the second worst song on here.
Track 4: Heartbeat Slowing Down-Not a bad song, more synth/electronic beats rather then instruments though. In addition to this, it has two f words (noticing the problem now? lol)
Track 5: Walk Over Me- Decent song, pretty repetitive though. More synth at parts, more language (a d word and a b word this time.) Song can be a little odd at times as-well.
Track 6: Out The Door- Would say this is the worst song on the album, maybe even the worst song AAR has ever done; though I'd have to go over the other 3 albums again. Instruments practically play the same thing the whole song, Tyson sings mostly the same thing as-well. Just not a very good song on many levels.
Track 7: Kids in the Street- Second best song on the album for sure. Somewhat repetitive though I love the chorus so it's not really a bother. Lyircs are very good as well, really makes me think about running around with my best friend as a younger kid (so it makes a nice personal connection) and they're just very good. Instruments/beats are perfect for the song too.
Track 8: Bleed Into Your Mind- Quite an odd song, but pretty catchy. Lyrics are interesting, vocals can be weird, instruments are boring, but the sound effects added in make it interest (and even weirder.) Not horrible, not great.
Track 9: Gonzo- Not entirely sure why people are so happy with this one, I thought it was just OK personally and it's really on the worse half(the better of the worse though.) Instruments and catchy chorus/lyrics definitely make it OK but it just falls short. Just not great/up to the standard of AAR's music.
Track 10: Affection- Not a horrible song, I like the strings; though the rest of the song is a bit lacking. The whole weird soft talking affection thing just isn't that great and besides that I just don't like the song and it's lyrics; just doesn't really work well.
Track 11: I For You- Loved the Mona Lisa like feel to the song and through this it squeezes into the better half of the album. Kinda boring, pretty slow; doesn't seem to really go anywhere. Just going crawls on and on playing nice acoustic saying "nobody will do like I for you" and various other things in relation.
BONUS TRACKS FOR DELUXE EDITION (Which is NOT worth it btw)
Track 12: Drown Next To Me- Third worst song on the album if you include it with the regular. Don't really like the lyrics or vocals; once again repetitive. Instruments are good if that's a consolation though at the end of the song it pretty much goes nowhere for a whole minute basically ruining any good feelings towards it.
Track 13: Someday's Gone (Demo)- I know it's a demo, but this song is pretty much just the same song with a few differences; which are mostly annoying. Nuff said about that really.
Truck 14: Bleed Into Your Mind (Demo)- Pretty interesting demo; quite different instrumentally from the original. I actually would go far enough to say it might be better than the original, but I'm not sure.
Track 15: Do Me Right (Demo)- Second worst if not the worst song on the album if you include it with the regular; it's really just bad. Lyrics are horrible, instruments are boring, very repetitive, what more can I really say? Read more ›