blink-182 - Neighborhoods
We've been waiting for a long time, but finally blink-182 have released their first album of new material since 2003's self-titled record.
Whilst it was always inevitable that the band couldn't please everyone, they've done a great job of combining their pop-punk roots with the maturity they've gained over the last eight years.
Anyone expecting the band to return with an album in the vein of Dude Ranch or Enema of the State clearly had unrealistic expectations.
What the trio have created is a more mature, but nonetheless fantastic, album that makes it official: blink-182 are back.
Those who long for the "earlier sound" of the band forget that they were already showing a darker, mature side on their self-titled record (and on Take Off Your Pants And Jacket, to some extent).
'Up All Night' actually works in the context of Nightborhoods, despite the obvious influence Tom DeLonge's time in Angels & Airwaves has had on his song-writing.
There's an underlying tone across the first few tracks through to 'Snake Charmer' which ties this together as more than just a collection of separate songs, but a coherent body of work.
If the earlier tracks have an Angels & Airwaves influence, then the impact +44 have had on the album is obvious when 'Heart's All Gone' kicks in.
It's one of the tracks that will please older fans of blink-182 most, and it's a great example of how pop-punk can be great without being cheesy.
Continuing the theme, 'Wishing Well' is most like their older material, whilst 'Kaleidoscope' continues the softer side first explored on their self-titled album.
It's around this point that the album really picks up its pace and energy and goes from "good effort" to "excellent".
Any older fans put off by songs like 'Up All Night' are doing themselves a disservice if they don't give Neighborhoods a listen, particularly with gems like 'MH 4. 18. 2011' finding a ballance between maturity and nostalgia.
In recent interviews, blink-182 seem immensely proud of this album, and rightly so.
They've created an album that balances all their influences well without feeling disjointed.
It should satisfy the band's need for progression, whilst pleasing their fans with some nice throwbacks to their early sound.
Female First - Alistair McGeorge
Tagged in Blink 182