Spring Break
All-American Rejects don't need change for success
Joshua Aromin
Issue date: 1/29/09 Section: Entertainment
01/29/09 - The All-American Rejects is a poppy mainstream band with simple music, arrangements and lyrics. And yet, disregarding the simplicity and love-oriented nature of their songs, When the World Comes Down is an enjoyable listen.
It's clear the All-American Rejects has a clear direction in its songwriting process. Every song on the band's third album exposes the story of a relationship, successful or otherwise.
Most notable to the album is its first hit single, "Gives You Hell." The song - assumedly about the glory of coming out on top in a breakup - is the most fun track on the album. It's the one song that entices an impromptu sing-along.
Along with Tyson Ritter's lead vocals is an artificial live crowd singing the song's chorus. As cheesy as it is, the effect gives a nice touch to the song and furthers the idea that the song's message is universal.
But while it's OK to sing about love, it's not always OK to compose lyrics that a freshman in high school would write.
The first song on the album, "I Wanna'," includes an annoying elementary chorus that continuously repeats the line, "I wanna', I wanna', I wanna' touch you. You wanna' touch me, too." Plainly, it detracts from the other songs.
"Another Heart Calls" changes the pace of the album and alters the sound of the All-American Rejects. Most of the Rejects' songs emit a fun vibe, whether the actual topic of the song is happy or serious. The song, featuring the band The Pierces is a moving dialogue between a couple.
In a strange way, it is somewhat comparable to the duet between Meatloaf and Ellen Foley on the famous "Paradise By the Dashboard Light." At the same time, the elements of "Another Heart Calls" combine the Meatloaf hit with a guitar similar to that of the Backstreet Boys' song, "Incomplete."
The reasons why listeners favor the All-American Rejects aren't as blunt as they are for other bands. While other groups are consistently trying to stay new and change their content, be it lyrical or mechanical, the Rejects are satisfied with what they've got.
Right now it seems that if you were on the Rejects' bandwagon before, then you're there to stay. If the band wasn't quite your cup of tea before, then it isn't now, and it doesn't seem that it will be in the future.
It's clear the All-American Rejects has a clear direction in its songwriting process. Every song on the band's third album exposes the story of a relationship, successful or otherwise.
Most notable to the album is its first hit single, "Gives You Hell." The song - assumedly about the glory of coming out on top in a breakup - is the most fun track on the album. It's the one song that entices an impromptu sing-along.
Along with Tyson Ritter's lead vocals is an artificial live crowd singing the song's chorus. As cheesy as it is, the effect gives a nice touch to the song and furthers the idea that the song's message is universal.
But while it's OK to sing about love, it's not always OK to compose lyrics that a freshman in high school would write.
The first song on the album, "I Wanna'," includes an annoying elementary chorus that continuously repeats the line, "I wanna', I wanna', I wanna' touch you. You wanna' touch me, too." Plainly, it detracts from the other songs.
"Another Heart Calls" changes the pace of the album and alters the sound of the All-American Rejects. Most of the Rejects' songs emit a fun vibe, whether the actual topic of the song is happy or serious. The song, featuring the band The Pierces is a moving dialogue between a couple.
In a strange way, it is somewhat comparable to the duet between Meatloaf and Ellen Foley on the famous "Paradise By the Dashboard Light." At the same time, the elements of "Another Heart Calls" combine the Meatloaf hit with a guitar similar to that of the Backstreet Boys' song, "Incomplete."
The reasons why listeners favor the All-American Rejects aren't as blunt as they are for other bands. While other groups are consistently trying to stay new and change their content, be it lyrical or mechanical, the Rejects are satisfied with what they've got.
Right now it seems that if you were on the Rejects' bandwagon before, then you're there to stay. If the band wasn't quite your cup of tea before, then it isn't now, and it doesn't seem that it will be in the future.
