Album Review: Angels & Airwaves - 'I-Empire'

Regardless of the fact that

I'm twenty five years old, I still love Blink 182. I, like many

people (whether they want to admit it or not) was bummed when the band

decided to call it a day but my spirits were somewhat lifted when I

found out we would get not one, but two new bands from the split.  

As we all know, Mark

and Travis released a record with Plus 44, and while it

wasn't dramatically different from Blink's newer material it

filled the void and gave us something to sing a long to after a few

too many drinks at Bang. Enter Tom Delonge... who loudly and

proudly proclaimed that his new outfit Angels & Airwaves

was quite possibly the greatest band of the last two decades.  

Did their debut live up to

the hype? No, it did not. Does their sophomore effort deliver on Tom's original promises... strike two I'm afraid. 

Remember those kids who were

wearing Dickies and a New Found Glory tee six months ago but now they're

busting out cardigans (Cripps is exempt from this) and claiming they've

been fans of The Smiths for years? That's Tom

Delonge... a man who is so intent on proving to people that he's

outgrown the pop punk he cut his teeth on that he's prepared to write

another record of B grade (and that's being generous) U2 covers. 

There is nothing inherently

bad with “I-Empire”, but when you tell everyone with access to the

internet that your music will revolutionize the world as we know it

big things are expected. Did you hear what I said Mr Delonge? Big things! Over-using a delay pedal and spending too much time

with a synthesizer does not make you ground breaking! 

Now that I've got that out

of my system let's talk about the songs themselves. “Call To Arms”

is probably the most straight to the point track on the record but it

has two major faults, the first being that it sounds like it could have

been lifted from the first Angels record, such is the lack of

progression or development in the song writing department. The second

issue is a statement about the band in general, and that is that Tom's voice simply isn't good enough to front an arena rock band.

There's no doubt that he reigned supreme as the pop punk king but I

don't think Bono will feel threatened by Tom's vocal prowess...

or lack thereof.  

“Everything's Magic” is

a really catchy tune however I'm fairly certain that The Cure

used the bass line around fifteen years ago. In saying that, it's still

my favourite track on the album and almost single handedly responsible

for the 60 out of 100 that I've given this record. It's a shame that

it's followed up by “Breathe” because it's such a fucking horrible

tune. Seriously, if I never hear that chorus again it'll be too soon.   

“Love Like Rockets” actually

has a pretty cool riff but the problem is that the song doesn't really

get kicking for a minute and a half, which is a big no no when you're

trying to write hits (their words, not mine). “Sirens” starts off

with so much promise but the song just doesn't go anywhere, although

if Hollywood ever decide to make a sequel to The Wedding Singer

then I'm sure they'll be keen to use it on the soundtrack.  

The bottom line here is this. Delonge and co have talked this record up way too much and because

of that it was always going to sound mediocre. There's a few cool tracks

on offer but as an entire record it drops the ball. I sincerely hope

that the band pulls their collective heads out of their arses and let

their music do the talking in the future.  

1. Call To Arms
2. Everything's Magic
3. Breathe
4. Love Like Rockets
5. Sirens
6. Secret Crowds
7. Star Of Bethlehem
8. True Love
9. Lifeline
10. Jumping