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40 of 43 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Well I guess this is growing up..., November 19, 2003
Blink 182 has been subjected to more critical abuse than any band in the past 5 years. Punks said they had sold out and reviews by critics were seldom without a phrase along the lines of "no-talent juvenile clowns". This CD is a beautiful example of how wrong they both were.
The first thing you should know about this album is that it is not a punk album. This is a rock album. If you are looking for three chord bubblegum pop punk, this album is not for you. And, as I'm sure you already know, if you're searching for an album to talk down to people about because they haven't heard of it, this is not for you either. If you are looking for an album filled with vulgar jokes, this album is not for you. There is not one joke on this album, and you can count this album's obscenities on one hand. This album is for music lovers. Blink 182 went to great lengths to make this album an honest and musically accomplished work. In the jewel case's insert, every song has at least two of the band members talking about how the song was written, how the song was recorded, or what the song means to them. A real treat on this album is Robert Smith of "The Cure" doing vocals on the song "All of This" (How many "Enema of the State" fans do you think have heard of "The Cure"?). The most important aspect of this album is that Blink 182, although changing their way of making an album, has not sacrificed what Blink 182 does best. The songs are still honest insights on teenage emotion. Possibly one of the most amazing transitional aspects of this album is the way the songs stay with you, not in the catchy way Blink used to, but in a more intriguing way. Each song is very distinct, and you will not find yourself confusing them, on your stereo or in your head.
I don't think it's fair to say Blink 182 grew up. The subject matter of their songs has not changed and the message has not changed either. Blink has simply chosen a more mature and musical way to present their messsage. This album is Blink 182's magnum opus to date, but I wouldn't be suprised if this was just the beginning of a new Blink.
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38 of 44 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Stop Complaining- blink owns., March 11, 2005
Everyone is complaining that blink's guitar riffs are "too simple", or blink has "sold-out", and let's not forget the ever popular, "they aren't punk."
Well who cares about all that junk- I'm here to let you know that this album is pure greatness and stop complaining about blink- they're amazing if you take a good honest look at them.
Here's a look at all the tracks:
1) Feeling This- 10/10: What part of this song isn't amazing? Mark and Tom's voices compliment each other so wonderfully and adds an amazing energy not found in many songs, these days. The guitar is so powerful (it's quite powerful throughout the cd) and the bass-driven choruses really keep things "Smooth".
2) Obvious- 9/10: kind of a weird track...pretty dark. But this song shines once it gets to the bridge/outro- the crunching guitar and fast-paced tempo leave you craving more.
3) I Miss You- 10/10: Despite the fact that this song put blink "back on MTV" (for a little bit), who can deny how sweet this song is? Deep bass...a catchy drum fill...and really nice guitar. Let's not forget the amazing lyrics/vocals.
4) Violence- 9/10: another weird track...but weird isn't "bad" for this album. This song is very good and really changes things up with the almost ethereal bridge.
5) Stockholm Syndrome- 9/10: Prepare to rock- this song is like a bullet to the head. It's angry and has amazing lyrics/vocals*.
6) Down- 9/10: This song reminds me of summer...and summer is a verrry good thing...check it out.
7) the Fallen Interlude- 7/10: Purely instrumental...it's okay. It grows on you and soon you'll come to wonder, "how did i ever skip this track?" It's a nice "Chill out", song.
8) Go- 9/10: Divorce is never cool...so throw it into a short, 1:50 song, and you get an angry, high-energy rock song.
9)- Asthenia- 10/10: Despite the long intro, this song is just too cool for words. Definitely amazing.
10) Always- 10/10: Possibly one of my most favorite songs ever. Such loving lyrics, sweet bass, sweet guitar, phenomenal drums- increible song.
11) Easy Target- 8/10: Time to get angry again. Cool bass that really drives the verses and a super cool outro.
12) All of This- 9/10: Tom's vocals (combined with Mark's background vocals) during the chorus is enough to send shivers down your spine.
13) Here's Your Letter- 10/10: Truly awesome bridge and great vocals.
14) I'm Lost Without You- 10/10: The quintessential love anthem- amazing lyrics and an astounding drum outro!
*Note: I believe blink has amazing lyrics that are only complimented by their incredible voices.
This cd will NOT disappoint...even my metal-loving friend came to truly enjoy Stockholm Syndrome, Go, and Easy Target.
Enjoy.
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
I Guess This Is Growing Up (more like 4 1/2 stars), November 18, 2003
It's not blink-182's fault that they fell into the TRL crowd. It just sort of happened one day, in a cloud of irony, after they made fun of the usual TRL roundups, and ever since then, they've been staples on MTV. They could have at least tried to stray from this, but alas they did not. That never really hurt the band too much, except for the credibility they had earned earlier with punk fans. Now blink-182 was being called *gulp* pop music! The nerve! But, after achieving success with the formulaic pop-punk sound, blink-182 decided to change direction a little bit and grow the f*** up.On their new self-titled disc, blink explores their maturity in life and in music, by displaying the most respectable kind of punk they've offered to date. Maybe that side project Box Car Racer or their buddies Jimmy Eat World inspired the band to be a little more musically oriented than generally predictable. blink's last few albums haven't been bad, but they have been pretty standard. This time around, it's not typical; it's like a good book, flowing evenly and profusely throughout, never really giving it's audience a point where they get bored by detail. The album sets off a wildfire, with new and above-average tunes like the snappy "Violence," in which vocalist/guitarist Tom DeLonge speaks with a jazz-like flair, while fingersnaps back him up. The mellow "Down," keeps a steady pace moving into the instrumental beat-driven "The Fallen Interlude," which resembles, believe it or not, Linkin Park (!). Not to say blink is rap-metal, but they get close to hard rock with the earthquaking "Stockholm Syndrome." And judged by that song, this question may come up: can blink still rock the mic? Yes, indeed, just like old times, such as the lead single, "Feeling This," shows us (with its acapella end, its latin drum loop and all), as does the fairly simplistic "Go," and old-school inspired "Easy Target," which moves directly into the moody and dark "All Of This," featuring vocals by Robert Smith of the Cure. The band keeps it's roots intact, but throws the world a curveball by using programming, drum loops, and all kinds of new arrangements to expand their musical talents. Even using Tom a bit more on vocals doesn't hurt the band, giving them a rougher exterior than before. Bassist Mark Hoppus is a fine singer, but more clean-cut than Tom's made-for-punk voice is. Mark only sings one song by himself (the smooth rocker, "Here's Your Letter"), as the rest are more or less Tom's, with assistance by Mark. This is growing up for blink-182, and this is sure to earn them some respect from many who have given up on them. They've ditched the sound that so many bands have stolen and tried to make their own (and failed at miserably), but now blink-182 has found their niche, and it's a good one. Some bands can't pull off a 180 like this, but blink succeeds, and it's a welcome change.
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