All-American Rejects, The - Kids in the Street
 

The All-American Rejects – Kids in the Street
Record Label: Interscope Records
Release Date: March 26, 2012

It’s been a long four years since when the world came down for The All-American Rejects. Following their third release, which received very mixed reviews to say the least, the Rejects have been far from quiet. Playing a summer of Warped Tour, wrapping up tours with Blink-182 and Taking Back Sunday, even doing a jam for Alice in Wonderland, the four guys have been hard at work.

The result of all of this hard work is Kids in the Street, the hotly anticipated follow-up to When The World Comes Down. Teaming up with Greg Wells, the mastermind behind Adele, makes the production more crisp than ever this time around, allowing Tyson and the boys to expand their sound to unprecedented territories. They experiment with synth effects on the effectively titled “Fast & Slow.” The title track effectively meshes all of this experimentation into the perfect single, as crisp guitar tones, groovy synthesizers, and an infectious vocal delivery yield to create one of the best tracks in entire Rejects’ discography. And single “Beekeeper’s Daughter” has all the elements of a 90’s beach jam, incorporating horns to add the final touch.

Combining the hooks and melodies of Move Along with the youth of The All-American Rejects and tempo of When The World Comes Down in ideal fashion, Kids in the Street has something for everyone. A funky guitar riff, old-fashioned tempo, and vocal grit transform “Walk Over Me” into a potentially huge – no, colossal – track made for sold-out 90’s arenas. Those looking for that enticing chorus will be immediately pleased with the opening “Someday’s Gone.” Ritter’s vocals have never sounded better. His suave persona and confidence need not be understated – this is the record that proves Ritter’s skill as a frontman; he’s a star.

The quartet also isn’t afraid to change tempos up this time around. The luring “Bleed Into Your Mind” never has to build up into a huge chorus or hook to get your attention, while the building “Gonzo” transforms into one of the biggest tracks on the record, with a racy synth and amatory guitar effects making the final minute absolutely stunning. Similarly, Ritter rides a fancy guitar riff to reach the build-up on the penultimate “Affection.” It’s this pacing and experimentation with time signatures that really make each track stand out throughout the record.

Rather unexpectedly, while the Rejects pretty much stay in up-beat rock ‘n roll territory for the most part, the final “I For You” has more a folk-rock feel to it. Simple guitar plucks relay Ritter’s calmly slurred performance, as Kids in the Street ends on an unexpectedly tranquil note, proving yet again that the guys are using any trick they have up their sleeves.

As Kids in the Street comes to an end, it demands further listens – namely due to how much each track has going on. The pacing, timing, tempos, and instrumentation on every track make each number stand out. As a result, this is the record that defines The All-American Rejects as more than just a “pop” or “rock” band – they’re here to rock ‘n roll and keep their name, and they sure as hell aren’t about to let anyone stop them. If Move Along got the name in lights, it’s Kids in the Street that ensures The All-American Rejects to be burning bright for years to come.

8/10

Additional Information

Track Listing:
1. Someday’s Gone
2. Beekeeper’s Daughter
3. Fast and Slow
4. Heartbeat Slowing Down
5. Walk Over Me
6. Out the Door
7. Kids in the Street
8. Bleed into Your Mind
9. Gonzo
10. Affection
11. I For You

The All-American Rejects are:
Tyson Ritter – Vocals, Bass
Nick Wheeler – Guitar
Mike Kennerty – Guitar
Chris Gaylor – Drums

Website

This is the best AAR album, though I still don't like all of it.

Can't wait to hear it. I enjoyed When the World Comes Down for the most part. Had some standout tracks in the AAR library.

Phenomenal album and thank you for noting Gonzo and how brilliant that song is!

very solid review, Ryan.

I couldn't agree more.

Affection, 3:00 crescendo is SPOT on. I really enjoy, "Fast and Slow", "Kids in the Street". Fantastic synths + production.

I've loved this band since the self-titled came out, and everything since, but this one still needs to grow on me a bit. I like the songs themselves quite a bit, but the album as a whole lacks cohesiveness. Maybe I just need some more time with it though.

Also, I For You is beautiful.

Not sure of the version in the states but the AUS release has five bonus tracks. Four being demo's and the song drown next to me. A great add on to an all ready stellar album.

I loved the first two albums so much, hated their third, and I should hate this one, there's no "swing swing", "the last song", "move along", 11:11" type songs, but I love it. AAR just created an album of a music genre that i typically stay away from, but I like

AAR are just plain solid. Love them or hate them, they're good at what they do and they've grown as a band in all the right ways. I'm stoked to listen to this album; a band like this doesn't disappoint.

Quality review. It has made me consider listening to a record that I had previously nearly ruled out. The question for me is whether this album will keep them in the pop radio spotlight.

Stillwater, OK represent! This album is SO good. In my opinion, the best since the self-titled.

fucking great album.

I've only listened to this album once so far. But I can already tell it'll be one of those records that gets stronger with each listen. Absolutely love somedays gone and at first expected the whole album to follow in that format but no. Its got a really nice layered and 80s feel. For me it'll be like Anarchy My Dear. It'll take some nurturing but I can tell I'll love it eventually. So far I think Beekeepers Daughter is the weakest song. To me it is like a watered down Gives You Hell. On anither note. Personally I really liked their last record. I think Another Heart Calls is one of the most perfectly composed songs

I have never been a huge AAR fan but this album is pretty great. I couldn't listen to all of Move Along but this is a pretty solid listen start to finish.

This.

This. I'm going to find a stream right now...

I agree with others. This is their best work yet. So good.

Yup.

Have only listened to the whole thing through once but the 3 singles already released are all stellar tracks so I'm looking forward to the album as a whole for sure.

I'm really digging Someday's Gone, Beekeeper's Daughter, I For You, and Gonzo. It's definitely a solid album. At first, I wasn't sure how much I liked it, but it's gotten better after the first listen. It definitely takes the best parts from all of their albums and somehow makes it work.

I just can't get into this cd

i thought WTWCD was a decent release. it had some great songs. i'm excited to give this a listen.

This is a hell of an album. I love the shit out of it.

Such a fucking good album, and they've never released an album before that I don't want to skip a single track on. The production on this is INSANELY amazing-kudos Mr. Greg Wells. "Walk All Over Me" is a fucking jam and a half and I get chills from the crescendo in "Affection" every single time.

Best AAR album hands down. They put so much into this album and it really shows.

I'm sorry I thought this album was horrid. So boring. Sucks because I really like the band. The past 2 releases have been really bad.

I'm glad you said that cause Beekeeper is the only song I've heard and I wasn't a big fan. Gonna have to spotify this mother

This

Not sure how you thought this was boring but sorry to hear you did not like it. I think its their best work yet but I can see why some won't like it. Its not as rock as their first 2 release and focuses more on pop. I will admit their 3rd release was hit and miss at times (even though I did enjoy) but this album seems to be doing the pop side of their music perfectly. I kinda hope they don't do a return to roots album after hearing them pull this off.

I oddly get kind of a Pinkerton-ish vibe off of this. I can see this being really alienating to a lot of their...younger fans.

I have a feeling I'm not going to agree with this much. I didn't like When The World Comes Down at all, but I'm convinced that I'll like this one a lot more. I don't believe it will be as good as the self-titled or Move Along, though.

Go listen to it, it's better.

S/T and Move Along were GREAT. WTWCD was alright.
And this one...after first listen seems to be at about the same level as WTWCD.
I do enjoy the production and the new direction they're taking.
My complaint is that it seems like the band was purposely restraining themselves in the songs--leading to a flat and somewhat boring sound. The lack of hooks is disappointing to me.

I'm still gonna give this a chance to grow on me though, and hopefully my mind will change.
Great review Ryan!

I just don't get the meaning of lack of hooks. I have listened to this album many times and every song seems to have a rather strong one. Even the slower songs have their big chorus moments.

To me it lacked the energy of their past cds. The songs felt like they had a lot of potential, but instead the band kept it very bland. I relaize I sound very critical, but it's just my opinion after a few listens.

listen more.

Listen to the layers in each song. They may not have many fast songs on this album but it is far from lacking energy. The moods and layers of different musical elements, vocals, and synth if fantastic. I know why a lot of people fell in love with their pop punk/rock sound but it seems they have evolved past just guitar, chorus, guitar. I loved Move Along but this album is adventurous and diverse. The lyrical content is deep and personal and they show the best aspects of pop rock. I love it because I never expected it.

Well said

wow, this shit sucks. I loved their first album to death but YUCK. Though I'm an old man now, so maybe I'm too high brow?

Eh it just a different style. I can understand why lovers of their first album may not be as warm to this but the album definitely does not 'suck'. For what it is, the album came out great but being so different it is not expected that everyone will like it. Its understandable not to like it but the album is really good from the perspective of what the band aimed it to be (at least objectively). Not trying to change your opinion and its an understandable one just pointing out that objectively the album is really good but it does not fit your taste.

This post seems like a joke.

Love the new CD. Gonzo is an absolutely amazing song. My favorites are Heartbeat Slowing Down, Out the Door, Bleed Into Your Mind, Gonzo, and the bonus track on the Deluxe Edition. Drown Into Me should have made the record. That song would have ended the CD perfectly, and the 2.5 minute instrumental fade out reminded me of some of the moodier Nine Inch Nails songs that I love. Totally did not expect it from AAR and it is awesome.

My only qualm with the CD is that I sort of wish Nick did an epic guitar solo in Heartbeat Slowing Down instead of the tremolo picked octaves (although it sounds great anyway!).

Definitely their best, and I honestly think they have sort of found themselves with this CD. They were all over the place before this. S/T was more pop/punk, Move Along was them trying to crack the modern rock market, WTWCD I felt was them trying to experiment, but they didn't have the production or the songs to do so. I feel like Kids in the Street combines all of these elements that they displayed on their past CD's perfectly.

I like it.

Got exactly the same vibe, thought it might just be me. Great album, definitely grew on me a lot.

I listened a bit more, and it still isn't shining for me.

I understand that its very well-done, but it sounds like they were holding themselves back throughout the cd. I'm all for bands developing their sound and maturing--I don't want the same cd over and over again. The lyrics are great--no argument there. However, if the level of the entire album were to be drawn out, it would basically be a flat line. Most of the songs sounded the same in their structure and the musical development. Other than a few tracks that shook up the basic sound (I For You and Walk All Over Me for example) there was no differentiation. My main issue is the choruses throughout the album specifically.

Not to say that I'm giving up on the band or the album--I'll keep listening til I can't stand it anymore and hopefully it'll grow on me eventually.

I'm about to listen to this. I've loved all three of AAR's records (despite what most think of WTWCD, I think it rules), but I honestly have not liked anything I've heard from this so far. Let's hope a nice, solid listen through with headphones will change that.

I really like it. The only reason it doesn't top Move Along for me is because I have great memories associated with that album.

The All-American Rejects have never been what I'd consider one of my favorite bands, but I've always had a great deal of respect for what they do and have genuinely enjoyed each of their records in its own, unique way.

This record certainly is no exception. I think the review captures its essence perfectly. If nothing else, this record proves that the band is far more than just radio friendly pop-rock. I love the experimentation and interesting arrangements. It's not an album I loved my first time around, but after picking it up Monday and listening through it a few times, it's quickly growing on me in a big way.

I love 5-6 tracks in this album. Solid album. Solid review.

Bleed Into My Mind, Affection because of how it ends, and Hearbeat Slowing Down for its melody and chorus stood out to me quickly as well.