Titled "When The World Comes Down," this album is their long-awaited follow-up to "Move Along," and it's been received as a mediocre record, at best. While I agree with what most major publications are saying, I think it's necessary to look at the album as a sum of parts, instead of just a CD as a whole. Yes, there are some bad things happening here on the record. But there are as many, if not more, good things going on as well.
The beginning track starts off with a different sound than you'd expect to hear with AAR, based on their previous releases. You hear a synth going on throughout, which is a bit of a change. "I Wanna," has potential to be a great, high-energy song to start off the album with, and I believe everything is done right. Except for one thing: The Vocals. Honestly, if you ask me, Tyson Ritter sounds bored out of his mind throughout the entire song. The drums are fast and pounding, the guitars are loud, and the synth keeps the new album feel going on, but goodness, once the song is over, you really hope that Tyson tries a little harder with the rest of the record, and offers something a little less repetitive.
You get what you want from Tyson in the second track, "Fallin' Apart." However, the music behind it is something very shaky. The orchestra sounds and the piano are a little out of place, and it gives us the feel that this song should be playing at a banquet hall during a ritzy, suit-and-tie-with-ruffles party. And once the orchestra drops out, it rocks pretty well, but it's a little too much of an abrupt change. Then during the last refrain you hear a bunch of female background singers come in. This, 9 times out of 10, is a fantastic thing. This time is that 1 single time when back-ups are not needed. At least not in the style that they're singing. Song 2 is a dud as well. Sorry guys.
"Damn Girl" starts out like a regular old AAR song, with rich vocal harmony and simple guitar work. There is a big build-up in the beginning that falls short of what you expect from it, but otherwise, this is a pretty decent song. Finally, at track 3, you feel like you are listening to the AAR record that you thought you bought.
Here's the single. "Gives You Hell" starts out with vocals and some electronic piano and simple drums. And while usually stripping down a band's sound is a bad thing, (listen to the rest of the record. Or "Big Bad World," the new Plain White T's album. PRIME example.) those instruments are all this song needs to begin. It's very simple and straightforward, and it really seems that this song came naturally to them. Which is great. This is the first song that really caught my ear and gave it what it wanted. At track 4. A little too late. But the cleverness and the mischievous charm that this song holds should keep you going on to the next track.
"Mona Lisa" is supposed to be the next single from "When The World Comes Down." Mistake? I think so. This song is repetitive, cheesy, and Tyson tries to sing like a country star. And the band tries to sound like the Plain White T's. Given their latest release, that is a very bad idea. (No offense guys. I just know you can do better.)
The second song that I actually enjoyed on this album was the next one. "Breakin'"I thought that this one could be the next single. But I was wrong. This is a big song, with big vocals, a big sound, and a big driving force. I think that this was their attempt at power-pop. And I think they did a fine job with this one.
There is a duet on this album, called "Another Heart Calls," which is another new thing for AAR, and I think that this is one of the many things that could have waited, or been cut from this record. They're trying a few too many new things at once, and it's sending the listener all over the place. This song is a decent track, if you're ready to be left hanging. Yes, it's a more mature sound, but I don't know if that's what you want from AAR. They're supposed to be fun and bouncy and driven. Too much has changed, in this reviewer's opinion.
"Real World" is a very electronic sounding song, that is actually a decent song. It's more mature than some of their other stuff, and it really keeps your attention. It's an intense song and would have been a strong last song for the record. If the boys know what's good for them, this song will be released as a single before long... hint... hint...
"Back To Me" is just too long and drags on and on, but it's more true to their older styles. Same with "Believe," which could also be a single. And "The Wind Blows" is a terrible excuse for a final track. With the last track on your record, you want to make a statement. Doesn't have to be fast or slow. It should just make a statement. It should leave your listener satisfied, but ready to listen to the album again. I love it when I finish a CD from start to finish, and when it's over I just stare into space for a minute, take a deep breath, and feel a smile creep onto my face. AAR did not do that at all with "The Wind Blows." It's my theory that any song with the word "wind" in the title, is going to suck (with the exception of the song "Windy" by The Association. That song is amazing). But I hear whistling in this song. That makes it a failure. Most of the time, whistling ruins a song as well (minus "Sittin' on the Dock of The Bay" by Otis Redding. Another classic. And the whistling is awesome). So we have "wind" in the title, and whistling in the song. Ouch, guys.
If I had to give this album a grade, it would probably be a C-. Honestly. Too much stripping down was combined with too much style variations, and it made for kind of mush. The album was a confusing mess. I think if "Gives You Hell," "Breakin'," "Real World," and "Believe" were put on a new album and songs were built around them, then you'd have a great record. But until then, just look for the next album to come out by them. I think that the next one will be a good one. Just a hunch. But hopefully it won't take another 3 years.
JB
