Album Review: All Time Low- Don't Panic

I don't know. You don't know. No one knows, really. No one will ever be able to offer any sort of explanation as to why All Time Low aren't currently topping the Top 40 radio charts. No one will understand why Dirty Work, compared to the rest of the band's work, as so devoid of the charisma and likability the band have built such a strong following with over years. All Time Low themselves probably don't know how things went so awry so quickly during their stint on Interscope Records. But this is not a review that is meant to dwell on the past. Rather, it's about returning to form, and building off of what made All Time Low the most endearing band in pop-rock. Back on Hopeless Records, All Time Low went back to the basics, and have emerged with the biggest redemption album they could have possibly made. Don't Panic, the All Time Low you know and love is back, and they sound bigger than ever.

Don't Panic opens with the band's latest anthem "The Reckless and the Brave," a three-plus minute proclamation that the band have emerged from the ashes of a mishandled situation. "The Reckless and the Brave" is the arena-ready track that Dirty Work was lacking (because, let's be honest, "I Feel Like Dancin'" was just not up to snuff), and starts off Don't Panic perfectly. Following that is "Backseat Serenade," which harks back to the band's themes of growing up and having feelings change that lined their often-heralded EP The Party Scene, with the gloss that made Nothing Personal so irresistible. "If these Sheets were States" is the perfect partner for "Backseat Serenade," building on its predecessor wonderfully, while adding even more flair to the band's arsenal. "Somewhere in Neverland" soars, showing Alex Gaskarth's musings on the threat of leading a normal 9-to-5 life while creating yet another catchy chorus.

All Time Low branch out to their friends much more than we're used to seeing from them on Don't Panic, as they feature Cassadee Pope (on "Backseat Serenade"), Bayside frontman Anthony Raneri ("So Long, Soldier") and, most surprising of all, former Acceptance frontman Jason Vena ("Outlines"). While Pope and Raneri's features are mainly for harmonies, their fingerprints are all over the tracks they're featured on, as "Backseat Serenade" has the pop sensibilities that Pope was known for when she was with Hey Monday, and "So Long, Soldier" benefits from Raneri's punk background, as it is the most fast-paced track on Don't Panic. Vena's presence on "Outlines," however, proves not only to be the highlight of All Time Low's collaborations on the album, but the top track on the album. The track was the only co-write on Don't Panic (for reference, Dirty Work was littered with them, and we all know how that worked out), and Vena's vocals are not only a welcome addition, but they hark back to the days when Acceptance were poised to (and should have) become the biggest band in the world. Alas, we must settle for "Outlines," for now, which is fine, because it's one of All Time Low's best songs of their career.

After "Outlines" is the only lull of the entire twelve-song stretch, as "Thanks to You" is faced with dubious task of backing up the album's brightest gem, and "For Baltimore" feels like a Nothing Personal B-side. However, "Paint You Wings"picks the pace up wonderfully, and the band's recovery on the back end of Don't Panic is almost as impressive as the album itself, a bounce-back the band, and pop-rock as a genre, sorely needed. "So Long, and Thanks for the Booze," with it's final tongue-in-cheek stab at Interscope, as Gaskarth lets it all out to dry, shouting "You've got to let me be me!" If Don't Panic was any indication, he's absolutely right.

As an album, Don't Panic will not overwhelm you with musical prowess. The songs are straightforward, the structures mostly the same, and there's nothing you haven't heard a worse version of before. That said, there's always been something inherently lovable about All Time Low, and even though they veered off the path they paved for themselves with Dirty Work, All Time Low have righted the ship in a big way. What's best about Don't Panic is that the band recorded the album on their own time, with their own money, and without the backing of a label; they just did what they know they do best, and they've never sounded better.

The Bottom Line: Long live the reckless and the brave: All Time Low are back, with the definitive album of their career.
Recommended if you rock: Mayday Parade's A Lesson in Romantics, Yellowcard's Paper Walls, anything you liked from All Time Low except Dirty Work.

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Song of the Week, 6/20: All Time Low- "The Reckless and the Brave"

Who are they?: A few years ago, it seemed that All Time Low were the next band in line after Fall Out Boy and blink-182 to go from Warped Tour Main Stage to mainstream radio. But a funny thing happened on the way to the top. Signed to Interscope Records, the band never received the attention necessary for their breakout, and when the sales of their album Dirty Work flopped, a break-up with the label was all but imminent. Any band whose been this mishandled by a major label will understand the band's frustration, but instead of becoming bitter and jaded, All Time Low came back swinging the only way they know how: with another summer anthem, and a new album the band made on their terms.

Why is it Song of the Week?: The band have released "The Reckless and the Brave," the first single and song to be released from their yet-to-be-announced full-length, which the band are continuing work on while they play the Main Stage of Warped Tour all summer. The track holds its own with anything ATL has put out in the last five years (not that there was much from Dirty Work that turned heads), and the chorus will prove to be one of the best you'll hear all summer. It took a label mishap, a misguided shot to the top, and name-dropping Ke$ha in a song (it's in "I Feel Like Dancin'"), but it appears All Time Low have emerged from the rubble of a bad situation, as reckless and as brave as they've always been.

12 Days of Christmas, Day 2: Most Anticipated Albums of 2011

With 2010 producing so many prime choices for Album of the Year, 2011's releases sure do have some big shoes to fill. Thankfully, there are some big names out there who are poised to put out albums, and each and every one of them has the potential to contend for the illustrious AOTY crown. So without further ado, let the anticipation begin:

Bayside- Killing Time (Feb. 22) 
While pop-punk went to the neon-clad teeny-boppers, Bayside were busy perfecting their craft, and deciding to focus on the "punk" part of the genre with each new release, starting with the blockbuster The Walking Wounded. Now, with Killing Time slated to drop in late February, Bayside are looking to clean up the streets so they can rule them once again, and if the two singles the band have released ("Already Gone" and "Sick, Sick, Sick") are any indication, this could be Bayside's hardest-hitting album yet.

Yellowcard- When You're Through Thinking, Say Yes (Mar. 22)
Earlier this year, Yellowcard shocked the scene with the announcement that they had reformed, with all members intact. If the Blink-182 reunion was any indication, we'd be waiting over a year and a half for the album that resulted from the reunion. However, eager to get back out and thank their fans for begging for their reunion, the band went to work and tirelessly churned out a new album, and are set to tour with All Time Low to support it. Let's recap: Yellowcard announced their reunion a year and a half after Blink-182 announced theirs, and have now written, recorded, and finished a new album before Blink-182 has even started theirs. Great job, Yellowcard.

All Time Low- Dirty Work (Spring)
Sell outs? Pretty boys? Overrated? There are a lot of things you can call All Time Low these days, but one of them is consistent: they've now released a full-length every other year since 2007 (So Wrong, It's Right), and each of their releases has been even catchier than and as ballsy as their last release. Now, with the Dirty Work put in on a new album, will this finally be All Time Low's opportunity to break through to the mainstream?

Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows (DRUGS)- (Yet to be Titled) (Feb.?)
The epitome of the term "scene supergroup" is poised to take over next year. The release date is up in the air at this point, but frontman Craig Owens has told fans that the band is shooting for a February release, but whenever the band should decide to drop the album, the scene is going to erupt, for better or worse.

Taking Back Sunday- (Yet to be Titled) (Release Date unknown)
Now armed with the same lineup that released the scene classic Tell All Your Friends, Taking Back Sunday has entered the studio to hopefully rebound from the disastrous New Again, and with the re-addition of John Nolan, look to add to the already winning formula the band have followed pre-New Again. The release date is still to be seen, but the band have recently said that they have begun working on the final song, and the album will most certainly see the light of day in 2011.

As you can see, some big names line the guest list of bands who are releasing new material, and I'm sure I missed a few. So who did I miss? What albums are you looking forward to next year? Leave it in the comments, my pretties.

Recommendation for the Week, 8/29-9/4

It's been far too long since anything was posted on here, and there was good reason for that. In an attempt to keep to a more strict writing schedule, I have decided to begin posting a weekly theme of every week, be it a mood, artist, album, or anything else I can think of. The most exciting part of all of this, at least to me, is that I will be running these updates in conjunction with the dayside radio show I will be hosting on 91.3FM (WTSR) this college semester. The show will run from 3-5PM on Wednesdays, and you can listen by going to the station's website and clicking on the "Listen Live!" button on the top right of the page.

Now that we have all that self-promotion out of the way, let's get this shindig started. In celebration of the end of summer (not really something to celebrate, I know), this week's recommendation is all about the end of summer: the sun setting on a carefree season, the painful goodbyes as you return to school, and of course, the flings that give the summer its heat. To help set the mood, whether you're setting up your dorm room for the first time, finishing that summer work you put off until the last possible minute (again), or just saying goodbye to the summer months, here are a few albums (and artists) to take you right back to your fondest summer memories:

The Dangerous Summer- Reach for the Sun

Easily one of the better parts of the summer is the breathtaking sunsets that seem to get better and better as the season progresses. There's something about that swirl of reds, oranges, and yellows that invoke a sense of self-examination. And if that idea proves true, The Dangerous Summer's AJ Perdomo took it and ran with it on the band's debut full-length, Reach for the Sun. With catchy, upbeat hits like "Where I Want to Be" and "Settle Down" to the emotional outpours Perdomo displays on tracks like "Weathered" and "Never Feel Alone," RFTS has the perfect song for any mood for your much-needed "me time."
Key Track: "Never Feel Alone"


All Time Low-So Wrong, It's Right
Let's be honest: summer time is almost directly synonymous with party time. And there is no better band to write the perfect "it's summer, let's have a good time" song than All Time Low. So Wrong is so right in the summer time, thanks to its undeniably catchy verses and an overall carefree, enjoyable attitude throughout the album. Songs like "Six Feet Under the Stars" and "The Beach" are straight-up party tunes, while it's nearly impossible not to sing the chorus to "Dear Maria, Count Me In." Throw in ATL's undying, underaged legion of fans, and kids will be putting songs from So Wrong, It's Right for many years to come.
Key Track: "The Beach"


Sparks the Rescue- Eyes to the Sun
When you think of the summer, you almost simultaneously think of beaches. A few states that come to mind when beaches are mentioned include Florida, Hawaii, California, and, thanks to MTV, New Jersey. In addition, I doubt anyone's list of the top beaches in America would include Maine. However, Sparks the Rescue prove that just because you hail from the country's northern-most contigous state doesn't mean you don't have anything to do in the summer, and Eyes to the Sun is their testament to that (just look at that gorgeous album cover). Eyes is very similar to The Dangerous Summer in that it speaks to a myriad of different emotions one goes through, but STR rely more on catchy hooks (see "We Love Like Vampires" and "Hello Mexico" for proof), while TDS rely on raw emotion. That's not to say that Sparks can't bring the emotion into it though, as the band shows in "Skeleton" and "Autumn." And while it's probably started snowing in Maine already, Eyes to the Sun is the perfect testament that so long as you're having a good time, it doesn't matter where you are.
Key Track: "Hello Mexico"


New Found Glory- Entire Discography
Since the first three bands mentioned were all relatively new bands (All Time Low has been a band the longest, at around five years), it's time to unlock the vault and bring out some legends of pop-punk to show the newcomers how its done. Quite simply, there is no better band to do that than southern Florida natives New Found Glory, who know a thing or two about the summer heat. Throughout the band's illustrious, two-decade spanning career, they've created anthem after anthem for your summer mix in your car. Whether it's the jams to celebrate the best of friendships ("My Friends Over You"), the worst of break-ups ("All Downhill From Here"), the summer flings ("I Don't Wanna Know"), and of course, seeing that special someone after time away ("Coming Home"). New Found Glory have been a mainstay in pop-punk for more than a decade now, and thankfully, they seem to show no signs of slowing, with a new album due out just in time for next summer.
Key Track: "My Friends Over You"

That'll about do it for this week's installment, and now it's your turn? What did I leave out? Who did I miss? Who were you listening to more than anything this summer? Leave it in the comments, I'd love to hear from you.