Album Review: All Time Low - 'So Wrong, It’s Right'

I was given a copy of “All Time

Low’s” last EP (Put Up Or Shut Up) earlier this year. It wasn’t

bad… it just sounded like Fallout Boy without the memorable bits.

It was good for a listen and my girlfriend seemed to enjoy it so I put

them in the not bad but try harder pile. Turns out touring for

12 months has taught these boys a thing or two because “So Wrong It’s

Right” is a marked improvement for ATL. 

Pop punk is a hard game to play.

You’re never going to be groundbreaking when you’re working with

such a set formula but hey, if you’re looking for artistic expression

then you can always listen to The Mars Volta! If a band wants to last

longer than 12 months then they’re going to need memorable riffs and

hooks a plenty, and while “All Time Low” aren’t in the same league

as Fallout Boy or New Found Glory, they’re better than 90% of the

other crap that’s out there at the moment. 

The double time beat and gang

vocals in “This Is How We Do” bear more than a passing resemblance

to NFG but if you’re going to copy someone, it may as well be the

best and besides, a good pop punk breakdown never hurt anyone! “Let

It Roll” is closer to pop rock than punk but it’s a good song nonetheless...

kind of reminded me of The Starting Line before they went off the rails. 

“Six Feet Under The Stars”

is another pop friendly track but credit where credit is due, the song

does reference Jagermeister so that’s got to count for something!

“Holly (Would You Turn Me On)” is one of the album’s stand outs.

While it doesn’t pack the same punch as the band’s faster material

it’s got a killer melody and a riff that is sure to have the kids

losing their shit at ATL shows. 

Although Fallout Boy would be

well within their rights to sue ATL for breach of copyright “Shameless”

is still a great track with its crunchy guitar parts and 'whoa oh oh’s'.

Just as I had feared the token acoustic song rears its ugly head in

the form of “Remembering Sunday”. I’m sure 14 year old girls will

love it but it doesn’t do anything for me. 

I understand that four to the

floor pop rock is all the rage these days but All Time Low is at their

best when they’re playing something with a little balls. The more

up-tempo tracks on “So Wrong, It’s Right” are the stand outs for

me and if ATL wrote a few more of these then I think they’d be onto

a winner.

1. This Is How We Do
2. Let It Roll
3. Six Feet Under The

   Star

4. Holly (Would You Turn

   Me On?)

5. The Beach
6. Dear Maria, Count Me

   In

7. Shameless
8. Remember