Often imitated, never duplicated.

The All-American Rejects - When The World Comes Down
Posted by Jennifer Grathwol on 01-Dec-08 @ 06:59 PM

[4/5]

The All-American Rejects have stayed busy in the three years that have passed since the release of Move Along. Aside from touring, they've collectively launched record labels and clothing lines, acted for TV and film, played on other bands' albums and even hopped in the producer's seat. Yet somehow, the band managed to keep a relatively low profile in the year-plus time they've spent writing and recording their third full-length, When The World Comes Down, for the most part avoiding the paparazzi blitz experienced by some of their peers.

Pet projects haven't been the only change in the past three years; the music scene is an entirely new landscape, with dime-a-dozen pop-rock bands, many of whom are directly influenced by AAR, dominating the scene (we're looking at you, Boys Like Girls and We The Kings). The Rejects--vocalist/bassist Tyson Ritter, guitarists Nick Wheeler and Mike Kennerty and drummer Chris Gaylor--needed their new disc to make a pretty big statement, proving that the "elder statesmen" are still originators, not imitators. Fortunately for them, When The World Comes Down comes out on top.

Continuing in the vein of their previous releases, AAR still mix upbeat anthems ("Real World"), midtempo rockers ("I Wanna") and pop ballads ("Mona Lisa (When The World Comes Down)"), though overall, the disc is dialed down compared to their previous two efforts. Even the first single, the insanely catchy "Gives You Hell," has a mellow, kiss-off vibe before busting into gang vocals for the last chorus. Let's face it: What AAR do musically isn't rocket science. But for what they do, they're one of the best, incorporating depth of musicianship, thoughtful lyrics and uncommon instrument choices. For example, "Sunshine" features a layered string arrangement; "The Wind Blows" has an '80s-pop bent that would perfectly fit a John Hughes movie's high school dance scene; and "Another Heart Calls," AAR's first duet, showcases Catherine and Allison Pierce of the Pierces.

While World is simply a fun pop record at its core, the effort, time and most importantly, experience (gleaned both from the members' extracurricular projects and the near-decade they've been together) that went into its making clearly sets AAR apart from newer bands who keep attempting to capture this same sound with much less ambition. The Rejects make pop songs sound so effortless, and that's not easy. (DGC/INTERSCOPE) Rachel Lux


Official Website: http://www.allamericanrejects.com/


Comments

Post a Comment

mrzshadowz
I luve them =P

DanniO
Sweet!

aarfan4life
i bet that it will be good after all the stuff that i heard i bet its ganna be good but we still have like two weeks left to wait to see what happens and i cant wait i am ssoooo hyper and ready for somthing new i love them so much and always will no matter how this cd sounds they will always be my #1 and they should have had a 5 out of 5 but im a big fan and i havent heard the whole cd so i guess that u guys did a good thig by putting them how you did but 4 out of 5 isent really all that bad ok i gatta stop talking cuz im running out of room but aar will rock forever no matter what happens goo AAR ur the best band out there and ur songs will make the top of the cart i know it ok bye bye AAR!

h_knight
My ears are really excited to be able to listen to this CD. I've been waiting for this one for about 3 years now. ...better be worth the hype!

LunaGrl
if AAR were edible, i would eat them every day! they're audilicious!