| www.absolutepunk.net/blink182 | Information |
The Billboard It’s almost a given that the story of blink-182 is already familiar to most fans of current rock music. The scrappy pop-punk band forms in suburban San Diego in 1993, releases their debut album Cheshire Cat on a local label and four albums, countless stages and several million albums later, ends up as one of the world’s most wanted, most recognized and most emulated pop-punk acts.
However, it’s the new story of blink-182 that’s rather different.
It starts with nearly the same intro, back in the house of a San Diego suburb — this time, it’s a decade later and a rented house in Rancho Santa Fe — where band members Mark Hoppus, Tom DeLonge and Travis Barker spent hours on end discussing, writing, rehearsing and assembling their fifth untitled (not self-titled) full-length in early 2003.
The mere shift in environment is one of the many foreshadowing elements in blink-182’s latest, most challenging endeavors. Not only does the new album represent a new approach — it really represents an entirely revamped and mature Blink-182.
“On this album, we really made a conscious effort to go in with the attitude that we're not making our next record, we're making our first record,” says Hoppus. “So we went in, and we didn't think about what people expect from blink-182. If we had an idea, we wouldn't second guess, ‘Does that sound like blink-182?’ If that's an idea that we love, then what it'll sound like.”
Armed with this new sense of creative freedom, blink-182’s new album is quite the departure from their previous efforts of primarily guitar/bass/drums pop punk rock. And their redirected vision was further refined by long-time collaborator and producer Jerry Finn, whom Hoppus likens to “the fourth member of Blink.”
Partially ignited by lifestyle changes — all three members became fathers recently — and side projects (including Barker’s electronica-inspired punk act the Transplants and the dark, experimental rock of DeLonge and Barker’s Boxcar Racer), the new album showcases Blink-182 on an entirely new plane — whether it be instrumental or compositional.
“Go” is a blazing track, clocking in at just under two minutes, revolving around a single-stringed guitar riff. “Feeling This,” the album’s first single, finds itself oscillating between manic, compressed verses, while half-timed rhythms dominate the choruses. “That’s the first song we wrote for the album,” Hoppus notes. “It’s about love and sex. The verses are very passionate, basic sides of sex. The choruses are a lot more romantic.” The spoken-word verses of “Violence” by DeLonge and Hoppus are nearly stripped naked, merely backed by a couple shakers and some finger snaps. “Here’s Your Letter” is a powerful, straightforward cut, featuring the impressive stickwork of Barker.
And the act enlisted a few friends for some creative input — namely the aforementioned Finn on harmonium, The Cure’s Robert Smith guest vocal appearance on “All Of This,” Cypress Hill’s Sick Jacken production on “Fallen Interlude” and Failure/Year Of The Rabbit guitarist Ken Andrews contributing his two cents. blink-182 also enlisted the mixing talents of Finn, Tom Lord-Alge, Andy Wallace and Ryan Hewitt.
But, it’s not just musically where blink-182 have turned the page. There’s a new sense of maturity lyrically, as the new album is also blink-182’s most serious effort to date.
“We don't have any joke songs or anything like that on the record,” says Hoppus. “Everything's pretty straightforward. On the other albums, we'd have 12 songs on them and two of them would be the joke songs. On this one, we don't have any.”
The new album is also more of a concept-oriented collection of tracks, featuring a host of interludes that bridge songs together.
“It’s one of those albums where if you don’t listen to one song on it, you’re not going to get it,” Barker explains. “You’ve gotta listen to the whole thing — it’s kinda lllike a mini-movie.”
Although certain song themes might appear as simplistic as “having sex with your girlfriend” (“Feeling This”), “Stockholm Syndrome” is an incredibly touching and introspective track, with spoken word lyrics extracted from letters written by Hoppus’ grandmother to his grandfather during World War II.
Inspiration with blink-182 is also rooted in interests that probably many wouldn’t have imagined.
“I only read non-fiction books,” DeLonge says. “I have a book that I bought that’s the Oxford Guide To The United States Of The America’s Government. It’s just like a textbook that describes everything there is about government. I have books on the Rockfeller family starting the Chase Manhattan bank. Anything that has to do with wealth and power and how it affects government I’m very, very into. And no one knows this shit until they come and talk to [me] about it — people don’t expect that. I think that’s another reason why people are gonna kind of trip out on the record. Because there’s a lot of things that people don’t know about blink and think that Blink’s a certain way.”
Once again proving that things don’t always have to work a prescribed, certain way, blink-182 opted to launch the release of their latest album with the DollaBill club tour, performing selected dates in advance of the album’s release in intimate venues throughout the nation, in an effort to reach out and support to those who had supported the act throughout the years — their fans. Most incredible of all, every ticket on the entire tour was priced at one dollar.
Still, blink-182 affirm that the act haven’t turned a new corner when it comes to entertaining their audiences on stage.
“We're not done with the jokes,” Hoppus says. “We're just ourselves. We'll always be ourselves. Sometimes we'll act like idiots, sometimes we're serious, sometimes we'll just be whatever.”
“If I’m in front of a lot people, I’m gonna say something stupid,” DeLonge adds. “I have fun when I play no matter how sad the next song’s gonna be. Our shows are always going to be like that.”
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01:59 PM on 04/03/12 | check these guys out they sound sooooo much like blink. give them a like if u agree. http://www.facebook.com/goforbrokect | | |
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12:14 PM on 01/06/12 | http://youtu.be/sFbVhd78l2g unreleased blink song from buddha days? | | |
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08:14 PM on 09/24/11 | Heres my review
It's been almost 8 years since Blink 182 released their untitled album, and their new cd, Neighborhoods has been one of the most highly anticipated releases over the last few years. Many people have been wondering if the new cd is worth the wait, and if it lives up to their past hits like All the Small Things and I Miss You. The cd takes their work one step further, yet still pays homage to the pop punk style that made them famous.
Ghost on the Dancefloor - this song starts off with a drumbeat that resembles violence off of untitled, and then goes into a guitar/synth rhythm that at first seems to reserve resemble angels and airwaves epic holiday. As you listen closely you notice how the guitar has that raw Blink sound and how the synth is a background addition, similar to always. Once the bass joins in with a driving drum beat from Travis, you really know it's a Blink song. The lyrics are darker and represent much of lyrics on the album. The chorus is catchy with amazing drumming during the bridge. Solid starter 4.5/5
Natives - this song starts off with a guitar rhythm that again could resemble angels and airwaves Young London, but a closer listen shows that the only similarity between the two rhythms is that both parts have pull offs after each note. I feel it sounds more like mms from Cheshire Cat than Young London. The verses are sung by Tom while Mark sings the choruses. the verses are fast pace with yelling vocals similar to those on the untitled cd, while the choruses are sung in a deeper and smoother tone by Mark. The chorus is unbelievably catchy and as usual Travis's drumming is amazing. Great song that will probably become at least a fan favorite - 5/5
Up All Night - Blink's first single off the cd makes more sense in context. Many people were unsure if the odd intro would fit in the cd, but it does. This song took a while to love, but eventually you'll find the chorus stuck in your head. My favorite part of the song is how Mark and Tom switch off on lines in the verse. it is probably the heaviest song on the album and is over all a good song. 4/5
After Midnight - This is the second single. Again Tom sings the verses and Mark sings the chorus. This song has one of Tom's best vocal performances on the album, and perhaps his career, and the chorus once again is catchy. It is the slowest song, and may not be an I Miss You but is still great. You'll find yourself singing well stagger home after midnight in no time. 5/5
Snake Charmer - This song reminds me of Boxcar Racer. The cat like thief style flange intro leads into a raw guitar riff similar to I Feel So. The verses are sung by Tom and at first they just seem odd, but once the chorus comes in though, the entire song makes sense and is one of the most interesting songs onthe cd. By the time you're at the second verse you'll love the song. 4.5/5
Hearts all gone interlude - This showcases the bands talents musically. Hey have grown from the days of being limited to 4 power chord songs, and this instrumental piano driven track is he shortest on the album and leads well into Hearts a Gone. 5/5
Hearts All Gone - I feel like I'm listening to Dude Ranch plus. This is the fastest song on the album and was also realeased before the cd came out. This mix though is cleaner and clearer. It is sung soeley by Mark, with that simple power chord rhythm that Tom got known for over a decade ago. 5/5
Wishing Well - This is where the cd feels like it could be out of the early 2000s. Wishing Well uses a classic pop punk style riff that Tom posted on his modlife back in 2009. And this song brings back the classic Blink da da das!!! The chorus is one of the catchiest parts of the cd and could easily be a #1 single. 5/5
Kaleidoscope - This song is sung by Mark during the verses and Tom during he choruses. The verses contain some of Marks best lyrics, and like most songs contain a very catchy chorus. This song at times reminds me of Stay Together for the Kids off Take off Your Pants and Jacket. One of my favorite songs. 5/5
This is Home - This could be called Reckless Abandon part two. Fast paced with Tom singing similar to how he did on their older CDs. It's about youth being wasted on the young and includes those funny Blink lyrics like that girl will make you hard. The bridge could easily be off Enema of the State as the guitar drops out while the bass plays a rhythm similar to Don't Leave Me and than the guitar come in palm muted while Travis does a fast snare roll like in All the Small Things. Very catchy and could also be a #1 single. 5/5
MH 4.18.2011 - Don't love the title but but love the song. Anyone want to say 3 hit singles? This is the most classic sounding Blink song. Fast and sung soeley by Mark, it is very catchy and a perfect pop punk song. It contains some of Mark best lyrics. 5/5
Love is Dangerous - This is the most Angels and Airwaves type song. It takes a few listens to get into, but eventually sinks in. This is the only song where I feel the lyrics arent amazing. The best part is the chorus where both Tom and Mark sing. The rest of the song is sung by Tom. 4/5
Fighting the Gravity - This is the most progressive song on the albulm. Mark said he was in a weird mood when he wrote it and you can see why. The song really starts when the vocs come in. If that's how the song started I feel I would enjoy it better. I don't hate it, the verses and choruses are cool, but the rest is odd. Its similar to the fallen inteude on the untitled cd. 3/5
Even if She Falls - So glad this is the closer. First time listening I thought how cool would it be if this cd ended with a fast fast song like Please Take Me Home. When this song started I was happily surprised. One of the greatest songs on he cd I don't see why it's a bonus track. Toms vocals are amazing and really highlight his range. Very catchy and sounds lime if you mixed Boxcar Racer wih Take off your Pants and Jacket. Amazing song, amazing ending. 5/5
This is already one of my favorite Blink 182 CDs. They really utilized all the skills they have gained over the years, but didn't loose their core sound. They still have catchy hooks and fun fast songs. This cd takes a step forward and a step back. I feel this cd is truer to their classic sound than the utiitled is. They use synth at times, which causes people to call songs similar to angels and airwaves, by even dammit and the rock show used synth. The vocals go about 60% Tom and 40% Mark, similar to the untitled cd. Whethe you are a fan of dude ranch, enema, untitled, or all of their songs and other projects, you will be able to find something for you on this cd.
Vocals - 10
Lyrics - 9
Creativity - 9
Overall - 9.3/10 | | |
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03:03 PM on 09/14/11 | Neighborhoods leaked some time today..I don't want to post a link to download it but if you want one, go to blink's last.fm page. | | |
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10:00 PM on 08/09/11 | i try to blink 182 times a day.... | | |
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