  
Renowned pop punk heart throbs Blink 182 devastated
the female gender all around the world when they
disbanded in 2005 (guys were upset too but I mean
but it was mostly women). So when news broke in
2010 that the band had returned there was global
rejoice, the band instantly revealed plans for
some world touring and a new album; however the
European leg of the tour was then rescheduled
due to needing more time to finish the album.
So after half a decade of time away from the band,
can the trio still step up to the mark and continue
the Blink 182 legacy or will their balanced love/hate
relationship with the general public shift to
become one sided?
The album starts off with a song called “Ghost
on the Dance Floor”; much like the majority
of the bands back catalogue this track has a bouncy
beat, Tom DeLonge’s distinctive vocals and
the typical high pitched chord sequences that
made up Blink 182’s unique style. There’s
just something different about this though, it’s
got a subtle dark vibe that’s not quite
and of the really happy stuff to which fans are
accustomed. A big mention needs to be made in
regard to Travis’s drumming here it’s
absolutely fantastic. Following track “Natives”
takes the exactly same approach with that darker
feel, it also includes dual vocals from DeLonge
and Mark Hoppus, having actually had a look into
the lyrical themes and having a few more listens
I’m beginning to notice that this album’s
lyrics and music are actually really dark themed,
similar to the direction Sum 41 took but not anywhere
near as drastic.
“Snake Charmer” is the perfect example
of the new style used to it fullest; DeLonge’s
vocals at some of their best here accompanied
by streams of crunchy guitars, exquisite drumming
and eerie vocal sections. The whole second half
of the album to be honest is a little more familiar
to the happy go lucky origins of Blink 182; “Hearts
All Gone” is the turning point where the
darkness is drained and the light reigns once
again, the guitar tones sound a lot happier if
you will and the vocal work rather than having
that sinister edge rings out as though it has
a metaphoric smile. This is followed with “Wishing
Well”, “Kaleidoscope”, “This
is Home”, “Mh 4.18.2011” and
“Love is Dangerous” which are all
written with the same vintage style which every
classic possesses.
You may have noticed I’ve left a song out
there which is “Fighting the Gravity”.
I’ve left that out to talk about separately
because it’s very strange when compared
to the rest of the songs. All the other tracks
whether dark or upbeat have been quite bouncy
whereas this one is really mellow, by that I mean
the tempo’s dropped down and the guitar
tone is taken back even more than ever. Not too
sure that I really like that one with the others
being as phenomenal as they are. So at the end
of it all the question of whether or not Blink
182 still have the capability to produce decent
music, my answer now has to be yes due the fact
that this album is a collection material that
may possibly be their best to date. My initial
thoughts of the band mimicking their former selves
for the money have been obliterated with this;
they’ve definitely still got a lot to offer
as matured musicians.
4.5/5
Review by James Webb
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