Angels And Airwaves - I-Empire

by Simon T Diplock

Tom DeLonge keeps AVA airborne with ease

"Angels And Airwaves may not have progressed very far but, so long as you haven’t hated on their sound from the start, they can’t fail to impress either."

Ok so he brought most of it upon himself but never has a new band attracted quite as much animosity as Tom DeLonge’s Angels And Airwaves outfit did last year. Their debut was critically savaged in places (only to sell pretty damn well mind), DeLonge was personally attacked for nothing more than wanting to save the world (oh, and lines like “This is the greatest band in the universe” of course) and the group even suffered a particularly vicious mauling at the Reading Festival a few months back. But they haven’t taken any of that negativity on board for album number two.

Instead of bitter revenge anthems, ‘I-Empire’ is stocked with the same light overtures, twinkling guitar effects and simple, sweeping orchestration as last time. And all the frontman’s achingly romantic but overtly positive messages are here again too. Which means we get ‘Call To Arms’- a shooting star of an opener, starting distant but growing powerful and pretty- the stripped-down but digital-soaked drama of ‘Breathe’ and the gentle ‘Lifeline’, glittering and gliding like U2 if Bono wasn’t such an almighty prick. And yes we get a sound that, if you hated before, you will absolutely hate again. But not everything is the same though.

‘Sirens’ shows new bassist Matt Wachter isn’t content to be a hired hand, teasing his instrument with brilliant strokes, ‘Star…’ and ‘Jumping Rooftops’ initially feel like throwaway moments but actually provide decent relaxed respites from the most grandiose stuff here and first single ‘Everything’s Magic’ has enough zip and easy melodies to impress former Blink fans way more than anything the grumpy old men of +44 have come up with.

In the end this band’s biggest flaws still remain, people will take great glee in pointing that out to you, but so do their greatest strengths. So cast just a few lazy musical moments and the whole four-minutes of the godawful self-congratulatory ‘Rite Of Spring’ aside and Angels And Airwaves may not have progressed very far but, so long as you haven’t hated on their sound from the start, they can’t fail to impress either.
myreview said on October 27th 2007 [report abuse]

hey, you dont like it, i do !! -of-angels-and-airwaves-i-empire-lp/ at least, visitors can listen by themselves to some songs here !!

123 said on October 31st 2007 [report abuse]

Ha, calm down. The reviewer is entitled to their own opinion on an album.

..., said on November 5th 2007 [report abuse]

I so wanted this album to impress, Unfortunatly it has not delivered. Tom Delonge has the talent but i think this album is very weak. Breath is a good song mind but i cannot listen to it without thinking delonge has fell down the way side and is one of those great rock writer casualties.

anonymous said on November 6th 2007 [report abuse]

What the hell everyone. First of all, this review is not bad. He's saying that he likes the band. He was not overly critical, nor was he overly praiseful. He's not being someone saying "Tom Delonge is a douche, this album sounds like U2, and thus sucks", nor is he being one of those "AvA will change your life!" fans. Positive, but still acknowledging the band's flaws. I found the review well-written and helpful, unlike the comment stating "Fuck you you stupid fuck..." Good job.

rambo_89 said on November 14th 2007 [report abuse]

man angels and airwaves shit on +44 with their first album and there gonna do it again with this one.if you wanna spaek bout it give me a buzz on bebo

rambo_89 said on November 14th 2007 [report abuse]

man angels and airwaves shit on +44 with their first album and there gonna do it again with this one.if you wanna spaek bout it give me a buzz on bebo

vilee76 said on November 14th 2007 [report abuse]

Yeah slam them for writing actually embracing optimism and making music that is 3 chord plastic crap... I loved the first album and i empire has a great hopeful feel. I think they are a breathe of fresh air.

TN said on November 28th 2007 [report abuse]

I've come to the conclusion this album seems to be a favorite of the listeners, not so much the critics. This is the best album I've heard all yr and I'm amazed at the quality of the album and consistency of the tracks. It's rare I ever listen to an album right through but I must have listened to this right through at least 7 times in the last 4 days. Top quality album for those who like melodic, rocking, energy packed anthems. 5/5

tommycanyouhearme said on December 5th 2007 [report abuse]

I was a seriously dedicated Blink 182 fan for most of my adolescent life. I looked up to Tom almost religiously; and I admired not so much his song writing ability or talents, but his character and unique ability to make awesome stuff out of three chords. The thing that made Blink 182 so special was the fact that it was just three friends having the best times of their lives. It was complete and utter honesty, with an ability to even parody themselves.

tommycanyouseeme said on December 5th 2007 [report abuse]

Unfortunately, Angels and Airwaves is very much not this. I'm not trying to suggest that any members of Blink 182 should restrict themselves to any sort of lifestyle or attitude. Change is inevitable and it is what keeps things interesting. However, the sincerity of Angels and Airwaves (for me) is non existent. I enjoy some of the songs for their blink-esque feel, but the honesty has been wiped out of the picture entirely.

tommycanyoufeelme said on December 5th 2007 [report abuse]

It feels like this band is Tom's quick solution to a much bigger, profound problem that started in the break-up of Blink 182. That is, an unwillingness to endure differences in a band, and instead start something quick, new and cheap. It is understandable that there are loyal fans, willing to stand behind any project that Mr. Delonge creates, however, as it so much that Angels and Airwaves is completely void of merit.

tommycanyouhealme said on December 5th 2007 [report abuse]

The question we should all be asking is: Will I-Empire carry enough momentum for AVA to create another album in the future? The record was out for less than three weeks before putting on a 2 or 25 campaign at the music store I work at. It just seems like with each step forward the band makes, the hole in Tom's career and credibility among life-long fans is dug deeper.

ndob said on December 11th 2007 [report abuse]

I bought the cd and wished i hadn't cause I already owned it.... it's the same cd. I think Tom is a great artist, however, this isn't his thing. Had he not have made those comments or gad old blink followers.... this cd and this band would've gotten NOWHERE. They're not all good... just blah....

Does it matter? said on December 11th 2007 [report abuse]

look, i have been a blink fan since i was 12. I think what Tom, Mark, and Travis are doing is what we all do, we change and grow and discover new things that work for us. I i Respect what Mark and Travis are doing, even though i do secretly hope they will all come together again in the future, and if they do, they will have leanred so much from being apart. and of course, as far as music goes, you can't expect everyone to like the same thing, that's why there is so much music in the world.

Sin said on October 27th 2007 [report abuse]

Fuck you you stupid fuck you dont know a shit about music this is good music fuck you fuck you reviewer of shit<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;" />

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