3 out of 10
Blink 182 fans have been waiting eight years for the release of the much anticipated sixth studio album from the Californian pop-punk band. When they took to the stage during the 51st Grammy Awards in 2009 to announce their reunion after a six year hiatus, many music fans cringed at the thought of having to listen to more cheesy pop-rock songs such as “All the small things” and “What’s my age again”. However Blink 182 fans were delighted that the band had set their differences aside and reformed one of the most popular American bands of the late nineties.
Neighborhoods has many aspects that sound similar to previous work by Blink 182, particularly their self-titled 2003 album. It is easy to recognize the bands trademark guitar riffs combined with synthesisers in the track ‘Ghost on the Dancefloor’, which is a strong album opener that Blink fans can relate to. However the problems start from here in. The second track on the album ‘Natives’ has the awful combination of an upbeat tempo and terribly depressing lyrics. The lines “I’m just a b*****d child, don’t let it go to your head, I’m just a waste of your time, maybe I’m better off dead” are crooned out by lead singer Tom DeLonge as if they were cheerful and self-inspiring.
Another major problem with the album is that the tracks are considerably similar to each other. For example, by the time you have listened to the final track on the album ‘Even if She Falls’ it will feel like you have just heard the same song fourteen times. They all begin with a glitzy guitar intro, followed by Travis Barkers heavy drumming and some irritating synthesizers. Terrible lyrics pervade the album. They are meaningless, depressing and are completely unfitted with the music that accompanies them.
This album will surely be snapped up by members of Blink 182’s massive fan base in America, and is almost guaranteed commercial successful. However, for the common music fan, this record is one to avoid at all costs.
Thomas Cullen
