I am not very fond of animated movies, nor am I a shortie fan, but whenever I hear of something involving Tom DeLonge, I’m there. His latest effort with Angels and Airwaves is a very solid work of art, and I was expecting the same quality, if not better, from his upcoming short animated movie, Poet Anderson: The Dream Walker.
Fortunately, even if you see the trailer, you would not know what to expect from the final movie. Tom DeLonge mostly abuses hints and metaphors, and everything is amplified by the extensive use of Angels and Airwaves tracks.
The music is flawless, as one would expect from Mr. Tom DeLonge, and the visuals are stunning and worthy of your time. Voice wise, the movie could do a bit better, but I’ll let it slide… This time.
Poet Anderson: The Dream Walker is, basically, a magnificent blend between the fluidity of Aeon Flux and the sci-fi model experimented in Blade Runner. At the end of the day, the short animated movie brings back and forth concepts scantly explored, but it has the clear advantage of letting its viewers to draw their own conclusions.
And believe you me, those conclusions are all over the place, and watching the film will not be a one time thing. You’ll see it over and over again whenever you need to escape this ugly reality.
I can’t believe that, until now, I haven’t got the chance to review the newest Angels and Airwaves album, The Dream Walker. Their latest effort since 2011’s Love Part II is, maybe, their best so far. I’m not quite sure if this affirmation will stand in a few years or even a few months, but until now I’ve come to terms with it.
This 5th album came with a lineup change, especially with Mr. Ilan Rubin taking over drums and keyboards. Rubin, formerly of Lostprophets and Nine Inch Nails, brought a heavier sound, that gives depth to DeLonge’s aerial vocals in such a manner, it only makes you wonder why the f*ck they waited so long for this collaboration to start.
The new lineup gives a little more organic darkness to the sound, and lyrically speaking, DeLonge’s has kept the same balance as before, albeit a little simpler and poppier. The Dream Walker marks a little more experimentation for the Blink 182 frontman, coupled with electronic sounds bound to keep you playing the album on repeat. I think the best quality of the album is its fresh feeling once you forget about it and you stumble upon it by accident.
Teenagers & Rituals opens up The Dream Walker, leaving you no chance but to speed up with the sound that takes you faster and faster. It’s the kind of song that won’t take no for an answer, it’s raw and young and stupid, just like we were, and while the lyrics aren’t the greatest thing cooked up by Tom, they fit perfectly with the youthful sound of the song. (8.5/10)
Paralyzed was one of the singles that preceded the album, and through the bass line, you get carried away in a split second. This song has such a sense of urgency; it’s quite unbelievable I hated it when I first listened to it. Paralyzed is one of those rare songs that grow on you, even if you hate it at first. It’s demanding, and it has determination, anger and angst – a perfect anthem for Mr. DeLonge. (9/10)
The Wolfpack stands out from all the Angels & Airwaves songs I have ever listened. It has such a buildup, it’s electrifying, to say the least. It’s a perfect song to be played out in the open, and I can’t wait to see the band live, just because of this one song. It can’t hurt that the video is one of the most pop attempts I have ever witnessed from DeLonge, and the lyrics will appeal to both teenagers and adults. (10/10)
Tunnels comes to argue with everything that The Wolfpack was. As far as I know it, the song was inspired by the death of Tom’s father, and maybe because of that I have the feeling that this track is the most personal thing he created with AVA. Tunnels is filled with emotion, sad reality and hope at the same time, and the overall composition – musically and lyrically speaking, seems so mature for Tom. I have to applaud this effort. (10/10)
Have you ever missed Depeche Mode in their glory days? Look no further, then! The same gravity Martin got us used to is employed in Kiss With a Spell. Until I listened to this song, I could’ve sworn my all time favorite track off the album was The Wolfpack, but Kiss With a Spell has such depth and the electronic touch can’t hurt the meaning of the song, so I’ll have it forever on my playlist. (11/10)
Mercenaries is one wicked track. I can’t remember its name, nor I can distinguish its beginning, but around the first and a half minute I start recognizing what I like about it. It’s a weird composition, I never know if I fully love it, or if I hate it with all my power, but one thing I know for sure – I wouldn’t recommend missing it. (8/10)
Bullets in the Wind will come off as a surprise, especially for Interpol or The Editors fans. Ilan Rubin goes wild with the drums, engaging in a wicked rhythm filled with awesomeness – but of course! This song is one of their best and the proof (if you really needed that) that this combo works on many levels. (10/10)
The Disease seems a bit uneven, or maybe uneventful, even though it plays on the dark side of the album, with a little more emphasis on the analysis, and a little more focus on the choice of words. However, even if it’s a great song technically speaking, it doesn’t have the spark. (8/10)
Tremors has the same anthem-y sound I was expecting from the band, and for me it screams “hope and happiness are at your feet”, how can I not love it?! (10/10)
Anomaly, just like its title, is an anomaly. For me, it kinda sounds like Boxing Day, from Blink 182’s 2012 EP, Dogs Eating Dogs. It’s a mellow track, with sad accents, almost emo-ish, but at the same time you can sense a bit of hope at the end of the song. (8/10)
Overall, the album is better than I expected. Thematically, it shows that the band has grown (if you really doubted that until now), musically, DeLonge has allowed himself to explore a little more and it has taken Angels & Airwaves outside their comfort zone, and God! How good they sound outside it!
Throwback Thursday has no meaning in this realm, the Romanian windy sh*thole I live in, so I’m always waiting for people to ask what the hell is TBT.
For me, TBT is the memories I ran from, I grew up from, I enjoyed and I learned from. Those memories are what made me, in the end, my beautiful, awesome self that graces the earth today.
SO today I picked Rite of Spring to express what I forgotten for a few days. I’m glad all that darkness is over. Enjoy!
I was locked all day in the summer heat,
In a small brown house in Suburban Street, With a skateboard and my shit guitar, I’d dream all day that they would get me far,
My dad would ask me about my grades,
The asshole sports that I never played.
And then I’d ask about the girls he’d date,
Behind our backs when mom would stay up late.
It was near when I turned sixteen,
Got kicked out of school, and so it seemed
that things were closing in and ready to blow, My dad moved out about that year or so,
It took an hour to start a punk rock band
To offset my fucked up family land And as I held my mom would start to cry I swore ourselves a better life
If I had a chance for another try, I wouldn’t change a thing It’s made me all of who I am inside And if I could thank god That I am here, and that I am alive And everyday I wake I tell myself a little harmless lie The whole wide world is mine
The summers gone, the years have passed, My friends have changed, a few did last,
The smallest dreams got pushed aside,
The largest ones that changed my life, And all I wish for has come to pass From Rock N Roll, to love and cash It’s all success if it’s what you need Do what you like and do it honestly
If I had a chance for another try,
I wouldn’t change a thing
It’s made me all of who I am inside
And if I could thank god
That I am here, and that I am alive
And everyday I wake
I tell myself a little harmless lie
The whole wide world is mine
I forgot how punk I am. Just listening to rebels and the stomping pedal (as one would say), just enjoying the music as a filler and as a well-deserved Xanax.
Everytime I hear Tom DeLonge I feel like I am young again and prone to mistakes. And I don’t mind that. I love the feeling of Californian summer and skater skirts and a bass just for me.
Blink-182 is one of the bands I grew up with, one of the many. I have followed them around, like a puppy, so I guess you can call me Fido.
Their music is like me – until 2005 it was young and fun and what-the-heck-mistakes-are-meant-to-be-made, but now it has grown into beautiful poetry.
Yes, I know. I am a little romantic when it comes to my singers and my music, but who’s to say I am wrong with that?
I enjoy it so much, sometimes it’s so peaceful, and sometimes it’s so full of energy, I can’t wait to go outside and laugh.
Yes, Blink-182 has a new record. Yes, they got out of Interscope. Yes, they are still amazing. I just wanna be young again…
And the way Tom says those Ls, you know it’s happening!
Sunetele ard, dor, frământă carnea…
Sunetele trec prin mine, căutând scăparea.
Mă mănâncă pielea, fără să am răspunsul,
Neștiind nici măcar întrebarea.
Ustură, suspină, tremurândă,
Tăcerea ce se scurge peste mine.
Gura mea-i tot flămândă,
Aș vrea doar să ajung la tine.
What Love – Part II should have been… Angels & Airwaves meets blink-182 again.
I can’t get my feet up off the edge
I kind of like the little rush you get
When you’re standing close to death
Like when you’re driving me crazy
Hold on as we crash into the earth
A bit of pain will help you suffer when you’re hurt, for real
‘Cause you are driving me crazy
Bite your lips, the word’s a robbery
Do you grin inside? You’re killing me
All along we talked of forever
I kind of think that we won’t get better
It’s the longest start, but the end’s not too far away
Did you know? I’m here to stay
We’ll stagger home after midnight
Sleep arm-in-arm in the stairwell
We’ll fall apart on the weekend
These nights go on and on and on
I can’t keep your voice out of my head
All I hear are many echoes of
The darkest words you said
And it’s driving me crazy
I can’t find the best in all of this
But I’m always looking out for you
‘Cause you’re the one I miss
And it’s driving me crazy
Bite your lips, the word’s a robbery
Do you grin inside? You’re killing me
All along we talked of forever
I kind of think that we won’t get better
It’s the longest start, but the end’s not too far away
Did you know? I’m here to stay
We’ll stagger home after midnight
Sleep arm-in-arm in the stairwell
We’ll fall apart on the weekend
These nights go on and on and on
