Customer Reviews

When The World Comes Down

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

With this year being packed with so many big artists and groups releasing mediocre music, I was more than relieved to find that the All-American Rejects and 'When the World Comes Down' was one of the few exceptions. This album is great. In many ways, I think this release is more on level with their first release which was very pop-rock orientated with great vocals that only this group seems to be able to pull off. The strength in this release is that each song stands on its own, creating an album that is actually worth buying for every track rather than just one or two. There's a great spread of songs and styles on this release, great vocals, harmonizing and an all-around fun album.

"Damn Girl", "Gives You Hell", "Back To Me" are stand-out tracks because they're mostly upbeat and unlike many alternative/rock bands these days, the lyrics, vocals and instrument backings don't clash with one another. There really aren't any tracks worth skipping and the release leaves you wanting more and even puts a smile on your face. I'm hesitant to say 'When the World Comes Down' is the group's best album yet but it comes pretty close. This was more engaging and better produced than their last album 'Move Along' and offers a little bit (style wise) for everyone. Buy this release -- it's well worth the money and one of the best to come out this year.

This album does not disappoint whatsoever. True AAR fans will understand that. The first album had some good tracks but it did not help the band stand out. The second album will probably always be their best but this album is unique in its own way. Some songs are better than others but each song on the album is a "must listen" to.
1. I Wanna (4/5) Not their usual lyrics, but very uptempo.
2. Fallin' Apart (5/5) One of their most interesting sounds for a song yet.
3. Damn Girl (4/5) Again, not their usual lyrics but a song you wanna sing to in the mirror.
4. Gives You Hell (5/5) Very very catchy and hateful!!
5. Mona Lisa (5/5). Classic acoustic song! (A.k.a. When the World Comes Down)...the reason for the album's name
6. Breakin' (5/5) Inspirational kind of song. Reminds me of a U2 song.
7. Another Heart Calls (5/5) Their first duet and it doesn't disappoint.
8. Real World (4.5/5) Already introduced into Madden and gets you pumped and doesn't let go.
9. Back to Me (4.5/5) One of the softer songs but great lyrics!
10. Believe (4.5/5) Makes you want to dance!
11. The Wind Blows (5/5) A feeling of blowing in the wind (pretty good lyrics).
12. (Hidden Track) Sunshine (5/5) One of the best on the album. Not sure if it will be on this album but it probably is. Another one of their most interesting songs to listen to.

All in all, I can listen to any of these songs and they have been stuck in my head and probably will for you too!

This is a great album. the first AAR song i ever heard was gives you hell, and then i was HOOKED. if you haven't listened to AAR yet, i recommend either this album or Move Along

Every song on it is unbelievably fantastic.
Truly, Tyler's voice and ability to deliver grows with each album delivered.
Just amazing.
The bonus track being one of the best songs on it.

Released to a decidedly silent crowd, hostile critics, and a wrong national mindset for the themes to be relevant, The All-American Rejects probably could have picked a better time to release their album. What's worse is that this is their best effort yet. Granted, it's not the most original in the world, but songs like "Gives You Hell," showcase a overwhelming sense of fun, mixed with catchy lyrics, and an infectious tune, it might just be the anthem for every jilted guy on Planet Earth.

But the award goes for the highlight goes to the band's best song since "Swing Swing," with all the pop/rock goodness and catchiness to keep you coming back again and again, "I Wanna" doesn't disappoint. Mostly AAR sticks to what they know, with songs like "Darn Girl," which should sound fairly familiar to fans. The most surprising tune on the album may be "Mona Lisa (When The World Comes Down)," in that it's a mostly acoustic effort, and it comes off rather nicely. Same goes for "Another Heart Calls" which is a duet with female-duo, 'The Pierces.' The result is pulled off well, combining the styles of the two groups.

Overall, with no annoying or forgettable songs that plagued AAR's previous efforts, "When The World Comes Down" is certainly by far the band's best release. From start to finish, it's a great listen if you want some unashamed pop/rock fun, mixed with some emoness, and the usual themes of break-ups and love. It may not rewrite the book, but it's a great listen nevertheless, with plenty of radio-friendliness to go around.

Real Score: 4.5

I can understand the negative reviews, but only to a degree. Sure, the writing is sophomoric, but it's not always the lyrics that make or break an album. The fact is, The All-American Rejects (AAR) continue to show promise and growth with "When The World Comes Down".

Their last album, 2005's "Move Along" is easily their weakest work to date, full of bland pop songs that don't really offer much in terms of originality and variety. That can't be said of "When The World Comes Down". This album has something for everyone, and it also propels the group forward by incorporating a more experimental approach to AAR's sound.

My picks are "Damn Girl", "Gives You Hell", "Mona Lisa", "Breakin'", "Another Heart Calls", "Real World", "The Wind Blows" and the hidden track, "Sunshine". Eight out of twelve songs isn't bad. I'd add all eight to any AAR compilation.

I can see arguing that AAR's debut from 2002 being musically stronger than "When The World Comes Down", but their debut, again, wasn't as diverse as this album.

Here's to more experimentation and diversity from AAR. "When The World Comes Down" is a display of growth and openness, if not maturity. Tyson is, well, only 24. Just a kid still. He may have more interesting things to write the older he gets. For now, the band, as a whole, is a well-oiled machine of power pop fury. There should be at least three or four top 40 hits from this album.

Here's my comparison chart:

2002 The All-American Rejects: Three and a Half Stars
2005 Move Along: Three Stars
2008 When The World Comes Down: Four Stars

At first I wasn't sure, but the more I heard it the better it got. I now think this is one incredibly produced album.

The best thing on this album is the song Sunshine (Hidden Track). This song alone is worth the price of the album. It's a different direction than the rest of the album, and I can't stop listening to it. The strings are outstanding, and the rest of the instruments involved create an impressive sound and beauty that makes me appreciate the band as something more than a pop group aimed at teenagers.

Gives you hell is an entertaining piece, as many have noted. The rest of the album is decent and fun to listen to. At times it sounds a little trite, but this genre is full of cliche.

I consider this album a solid piece, and Sunshine shows that the group has potential to work outside of their niche, and the ability to deliver on it.

I'll be honest, i completely enjoyed AAR's debut and sophomore album and almost went insane waiting for this to come! And now after weeks after hearing this album, all the waiting was mostly worth it. "I Wanna" was one of the most promising openers i've heard up to date cuz that song completely represented what AAR stands for! Yet with "Fallin' Apart" i didn't quite get hooked, why? It was composed very cheesy. However let's get back to the right track, no problem at all with "Damn Girl" & "Gives You Hell" , tell you the truth "Gives You Hell" deserved every bit of the fame and money it gotten. "Mona Lisa": at least they build up the maturity to put an acoustic song on a studio album yet despite it sounding too folkish it's alright. "Breakin'" feels somewhat tropic and doesn't really reach out to me as memorable, but it's really nothing worth COMPLAINING about. "Another Heart Calls" is by far the most dramatic song on the album, the AAR feature the little known group the Pierces in a song that features smart lyrics & great composition. "Real World" is just plain modern rock that people can still love and me with them. "Back to Me" kind of twists AAR's usual sound and puts it as a slow melody that can basically give anybody a smile when heard. But then the very poor finish up songs "Believe" and "The Wind Blows" approach to the viewers' ears. The chorus of each one doesn't have a nice beat to it while no buildup to any verse, i am very sorry to say as good as most of the album is, it's their first album with some weak tracks.

Songs that really stick out:

"I Wanna", "Damn Girl", and "Gives You Hell"

Songs that i wanna burn down to the ground:

"Fallin' Apart", "Believe", and "The Wind Blows"

Very few albums that I own have so many great tracks, but this new one by AAR is absolutely unbelievable. Every song is outstanding. I'm playing it so much that I have much of the lyrics memorized!