Disclaimer: Title May Not Be 100% Historically Accurate...
"Nostalgia often lights the pathway to the future"...this is a quote taken from the current biography of Maryland pop-rock stars ALL TIME LOW, and it perfectly encapsulates the creative mindset the band find themselves in at this moment in time...having recently signed to Fueled By Ramen, front-man Alex Gaskarth stated that in order to move forward, they needed to look back, to rediscover themselves and the result was their brand new album; "Last Young Renegade"...Gaskarth says that, the deaths of music icons such as DAVID BOWIE and GEORGE MICHAEL, plus the throwback tones of hit TV shows such as STRANGER THINGS made him look back at his childhood, his time growing up, the last young renegade being used as both a metaphor and a vessel for channeling his memories, his thoughts...he would use an outside perspective though character to face his own demons and use it creatively and the result was the ten tracks on offer here...a darker but palatable record he claims...let's find out...
We open up with the title track and really it's an interesting choice...the renegade in question is an old flame, a past love...the betrayal of emotions courtesy of a fleeting romance, it's a bright, melodic introduction to the album, building up through the verse onward to a bold, pop-rock chorus that would appeal to fans of maybe 5 SECONDS OF SUMMER or WALK THE MOON...tailor made for radio this, a glossy start. The same too can be said for follow up track "Drugs & Candy" which truth be told, sounds a little creepy...on face value I'd say Gaskarth has some questionable interests...(I jest)...but again, he sings of the addiction to a sweetheart long gone, not wanting to give up his vice so to speak; young love...and it's fitting, it's an addictive little track, rich in pop hooks, very melodic and easy on the ears but some may say too much so, it's really rather tame...
The album has it's livelier moments too however, the annoyingly titled "Nice2KnoU" (Aside from infuriating my inner grammar Nazi) is a much more up-tempo energetic number, to suggest it's heavier wouldn't be totally accurate, but it's far more rock orientated than previous tracks here, the guitar is much more prominent and it does have a little more kick to it with shades of LOSTPROPHETS sprinkled throughout in some aspects, while "Life Of The Party" has certain crossover R'n'B elements layered within a truly catchy track, such a good chorus here honestly. Elsewhere, "Ground Control" features guest vocals courtesy of twins TEGAN & SARA, the Vancouver based singer-songwriters adding depth to the track with the extra vocal dynamic; it's a perfectly good pop song.
The general feel of this new album is overwhelmingly driven by it's tamer qualities however, and for the most part, it's not only a mellower record, we've got a mellower band. Tracks like "Afterglow" and "Good Times" showcasing a tenderness in their approach to writing this album, their youthful exuberance non-essential this time around, and without sounding derogatory, it's a more mature approach musically. All Time Low will always be pigeonholed into that alt. pop / pop-punk category in the grand scheme of things but here they've opted for something a little more relaxed. Already poster boys, this slightly pop driven approach can realistically only help them achieve further commercial success but there will always be those who don't like to see bands watered down. On face value this is a decent pop record as a whole and I'm sure it's chart success will ensure they can afford plenty of drugs and candy for some time to come...[5]
We open up with the title track and really it's an interesting choice...the renegade in question is an old flame, a past love...the betrayal of emotions courtesy of a fleeting romance, it's a bright, melodic introduction to the album, building up through the verse onward to a bold, pop-rock chorus that would appeal to fans of maybe 5 SECONDS OF SUMMER or WALK THE MOON...tailor made for radio this, a glossy start. The same too can be said for follow up track "Drugs & Candy" which truth be told, sounds a little creepy...on face value I'd say Gaskarth has some questionable interests...(I jest)...but again, he sings of the addiction to a sweetheart long gone, not wanting to give up his vice so to speak; young love...and it's fitting, it's an addictive little track, rich in pop hooks, very melodic and easy on the ears but some may say too much so, it's really rather tame...
The album has it's livelier moments too however, the annoyingly titled "Nice2KnoU" (Aside from infuriating my inner grammar Nazi) is a much more up-tempo energetic number, to suggest it's heavier wouldn't be totally accurate, but it's far more rock orientated than previous tracks here, the guitar is much more prominent and it does have a little more kick to it with shades of LOSTPROPHETS sprinkled throughout in some aspects, while "Life Of The Party" has certain crossover R'n'B elements layered within a truly catchy track, such a good chorus here honestly. Elsewhere, "Ground Control" features guest vocals courtesy of twins TEGAN & SARA, the Vancouver based singer-songwriters adding depth to the track with the extra vocal dynamic; it's a perfectly good pop song.
The general feel of this new album is overwhelmingly driven by it's tamer qualities however, and for the most part, it's not only a mellower record, we've got a mellower band. Tracks like "Afterglow" and "Good Times" showcasing a tenderness in their approach to writing this album, their youthful exuberance non-essential this time around, and without sounding derogatory, it's a more mature approach musically. All Time Low will always be pigeonholed into that alt. pop / pop-punk category in the grand scheme of things but here they've opted for something a little more relaxed. Already poster boys, this slightly pop driven approach can realistically only help them achieve further commercial success but there will always be those who don't like to see bands watered down. On face value this is a decent pop record as a whole and I'm sure it's chart success will ensure they can afford plenty of drugs and candy for some time to come...[5]
RSS Feed