The ex-Blink 182 and Angles & Airwaves frontman comes back with a solo project but will it give you goosebumps or just the grumps?
If I went into this review with a hugely biased attitude that I despised this guys vocal range and annoying American twang on the edge of every lyric then this would have been a very simple task.
However, Tom DeLonge has been at the centre of a rather large amount of controversy since the great Blink split up. Many a rumour of them linking back up has had both emo and punk rockers grasping at straws to find out whether the rumours are true or not. If this album is anything to go by then the answer is most certainly a big fat NO.
Tom Delonge with his old band Blink 182.
Where to start then? The main title song, ‘New World’, depicts a more grown up and slightly more sensible Tom who appears to have learned how to extend that vocal range beyond the top end alone. The video sees him seemingly smashing up his ex band mates instruments in a kind of “screw this I’m done with you” kind of attitude, made even more apparent in the deep and broody Americanisms. Some words appear to be more for affect now than actually having meaning. Quite sad but then that’s what he’s going for… so also effective.
The acoustic remedy on ‘The Invisible Parade’ is a nice switch, it’s quite a catchy tune despite its minor key approach and subversive references to the a returning soldier (his brother served in the Iraq War). ‘Golden Showers in a Golden State’ is very much a stab at those who said he couldn’t do a punk song, but resorts to using many of Blink’s recipes for songwriting including childish lyrics, swearing (lots of it) and references to things people might get nostalgic about – seriously the word ‘California‘ is repeated so many times its bordering on an obsession for the poor boy!
In conclusion, and even listening beyond the biased opinion I still think that he is trying too damn hard to be liked. This is a weapon used against Blink 182 to show them how good he was at writing music, the problem is that those familiar power chords are now drab and unoriginal. Some of it sounds fresh, like ‘New World’ but I despise any artist who finds it fun or a necessity to liven up a video or performance by smashing up an instrument (I mean come on, if you don’t want to use it donate it and spread the joy) so to watch him ruin an incredible drum kit and a rather unique sounding Hoppus bass is quite frankly, tragic.
The golden days of Blink 182 appear to be over, so I do wish that Tom moves on with his new band and keep his solo material where it belongs – the bargain bin in about 2 years time… Sorry Tom, not for me, but good effort. There’s been a massive vocal improvement with nice melodies but it still sounds the same as the rest of your stuff.
Author – Andrew, Weybridge store
