Angels & Airwaves - I-Empire
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Free Music Notes for I-Empire
Free Music Review: Amazon really doesn't want me to review this... 3rd time trying
Hit: 5 Stars
Well, let's see. How do you begin to explain the beauty that is Angels and Airwaves to someone who doesn't want to listen, or can't look past the fact that Blink 182 is no more? Chances are you can't, which is why I-Empire has only sold about 150,000 copies in it's first few months of existence (although I still say that's an impressive number considering the record business today). But for those of you who love AVA, have an open mind, or perhaps were never die hard fans of Blink, here goes:
1) Call To Arms (5/5)- Wow, what a way to start off the album... and without the two minute intro that came along with Valkyrie. This song is an incredible lift off with amazing vocals that have been shockingly sang to perfection by Tom during live performances.
2) Everything's Magic (5/5)- The obvious single, I haven't stopped listening to this one since it leaked oh so many months ago. Does it sound like Anthem Pt. 2? A little bit. Does it sound like "Close to Me" by the Cure, a little bit. Are those bad things? I don't think so. Perfect single.
3) Breathe (3/5)- I find this to be a poor placement track wise on the album, but lots of fans love it so it's just my opinion. To me, it's something of a bland song that is really repetitive and doesn't truly kick in until about 4 minutes in, at which point it becomes brilliant. You probably really have to be truly in love to enjoy this one as much as Tom does. Oh yea, musically it's got a Phil Collins/Peter Gabriel sound to it.
4) Love Like Rockets (4/5)- A cool little song with an Eisenhower speech at the beginning that as a history teacher I can't get enough of. This one is hard to describe (other than it being very "outer-spacey") and doesn't really stand out. However, it's a great song with a great ending reminiscent of the end of "Feeling This".
5) Sirens (5/5)- I felt this should've been the second single as even my friends who don't care for AVA make me put this one on in the car. It almost has two different chorus' and the entire song is a "sing along" if I've ever heard one. I can't say enough good things about "Sirens", even if I have a completely different interpretation of the lyrics than Tom.
6) Secret Crowds (3/5)- This is where the title of the album comes from. I'm sorry, but I just don't love this one. It falls into the old AVA trap of getting far too repetitive. The radio version is said to have cut the song down to about three minutes, removing most of the repetition at the end and the drawn out intro, which I'm pretty sure is going to make it one of my favorites. I wish it would've been cut down for the album.
7) Star of Bethlehem (4/5)- This one has been out for a while, but has been cut from the rest of the song for the purpose of the album (People had complained about the length of intros on WDNTW). This could definitely be a Moby song if you didn't know it was AVA and it really set's up the next song.
8) True Love (4/5)- Combined with S.O.B, this song has been a favorite of fans of the band for over a year now. It's a great song that makes you feel like it's Christmas. Unfortunately, it gets really repetitive at the end "The Stars in the Sky....". He repeats the chorus about 15 times and after a while you kind of wish he would stop.
9) Lifeline (6/5)- Wow. This is the most touching and wonderful song Tom Delonge has ever written. Reminiscent of "A Little's Enough", this one is guaranteed to give you chills. This song is about Tom's drug/pain killer addiction that nearly killed him a few years ago. He is definitely talking about God here, and the "Footsteps" reference is really powerful. His vocals for the line "Here's your lifeline" sound like nothing Tom has ever done before. "We all make mistakes, here's your lifeline"... incredible.
10) Jumping Rooftops (NR)- I'm kind of sick of this whole interlude thing that's been plaguing the Blink boys since Untitled. It does however bridge Lifeline and Rite of Spring very well.
11) Rite of Spring (3/5)- This is probably the one that will get me negative reviews, but I just don't feel it. The chorus is great but the lyrics throughout the song, while extremely personal (which is nice), are not really well written. It seems out of place on the album and somewhat awkward.
12) Heaven (5/5)- This one is unreal. Throughout the song you hear little clips of previous songs such as Valkyrie Missile and The Adventure, which is incredibly cool. The song itself is just 6 minutes of awesomeness, great music, great lyrics, and great vocals! This is an uplifting and new way to end an album, quite contrary to the way Tom has typically done so; Start the Machine, I'm Lost Without You, Instrumental... etc. "Please stay, don't go, I've got you now... are you curious please stay!"
So I have to say that as amazing as Whisper was, I-Empire may very well top it. Lifeline and Heaven are two of the best songs ever written (by anyone!) and the rest of the album is as wonderful as I've described. I can't wait to hear what's next.
Free Music Review: AMAZING
Hit: 5 Stars
This album is, as mentioned in the subject, amazing. The songs feature sparkling guitar parts with catchy, meaningful, deep lyrics by Tom Delonge. The drums are anthemic and thunderous while the bass carries the songs nicely. Now for a review of each of the tracks:
1. Call To Arms (5out of 5) In my opinion, the best song on the album. It starts off with a cool intro, which quickly leads into a fast paced, extremely upbeat and optimistic song. If this song doesn't get your attention, nothing will.
2. Everything's Magic (4.5 out of 5) Everything's Magic is the first single from I-Empire. It, like Call To Arms, is very upbeat, with a drum beat that makes you want to jump up and clap your hands to the song. The lyrics easily appeal many people, making this song a good one as the first single.
3. Breathe (4 out of 5) This is a slower song, a love song. The chorus has a nice ring to it, and the verses have very dreamy, peaceful lyrics. Overall a good song, though it may seem boring after hearing the first two tracks.
4. Love Like Rockets (4.5 out of 5) Blast off! This is a cool song with an interesting opening. The "rocket" theme of the song really makes it original fun.
5. Sirens (5 out of 5) This song is great, for some reason it reminds me a bit of Box Car Racer, for those of you who are familiar with that side project of Tom Delonge. This is one of the most catchy songs in my opinion, it is very down to earth and the chorus rocks.
6. Secret Crowds (5 out of 5) This song is by far the best written on the record. The line "If I had my own world, I'd build you an empire" is repeated throughout the song. It's an awesome line. The chorus is epic, and the verses paint the scene of a utopia. This song makes you feel good.
7. Star of Bethlehem - This song is simply a short interlude leading into the next song, True Love. Prior to this record being produced, the two were actually one song. It being an interlude, I have decided not to rate it.
8. True Love (3.5 out of 5) - Overall this song is pretty good, with lyrics that remind the listener of winter. The only problem with this song is the chorus, it is a bit repetitive.
9. Lifeline (4 out of 5) This song is another slow one, but that fact does not make it a bad song. In fact, it was one of the first ones that stood out when I first listened to the album. I like it alot, but it seems like it is missing something that would make it a 5 out of 5.
10. Jumping Rooftops - Another interlude, it is too bad that this wasn't made into a song because its a really cool mix of effects. Like the other interlude, I'm not rating this track.
11. Rite Of Spring - (4 out of 5) This is an autobiographical track of Tom Delonge. He explains how from being depressed and in a punk band he became successful, and the chorus repeats "The whole wide world is mine." Uplifting song if you're in a bad mood.
12. Heaven (4 out of 5) This is ther last track of the album, and it is a strong ending. It opens and closes with snippets of We Don't Need To Whisper. The song is very much like Valkyrie Missile, from that album. It is fast paced and has a cool guitar.''
Overall: The average of all of my ratings is 4.35 out of 5. I think that's a pretty accurate representation of how good the album is. Definitely give it a listen, especially if you are down or in pain. It can really turn around your feelings if you let it.
Free Music Review: Sensational Album
Hit: 5 Stars
Angels and Airwaves have put together an outstanding follow up to Whisper.
Keep it up, I flat out love this album and I think that Tom Delonge gets a lot of the credit, but he has some sensational mates to work with. Takes all of them to put together something this sharp.
AVA has some of the best build ups in the business and most of that is due to the layering of the music if that makes any sense. And to top it off, they have some of the best finishes in the business.
Lifeline is probably my favorite track on the album and the song should resonate with listeners. "We all make mistakes, here's your lifeline" is a song for the ages. Again the layers leading up to the final bridge is soothing to the senses and it hits home.
AVA loves to use the O O O Oh Ohh, and I love to hear them and it does remind me of U2's early days. So catchy and I hope they are able to release a single to exploit how easy it is to sing along.
Sirens seems like it could be a great single with some very catchy lines and AVA seems to be having fun with the song. "I Do this from time to Time, where I like to watch you as you sleep"
Secret Crowds goes for the power chords and delivers and hopefully captures some serious airplay on every rock station in the country.
Breathe is the slow song on the album, and it slowly builds, has a great drum beat, and finishes in typical AVA fashion. AVA seems to work with a second bridge and they are onto something here. They can save some songs completely with the ending.
Everything's Magic is very catchy tune and it introduces us to the new bass guitarist who really shines on this track.
The whole band seems to have evolved since the first release and I get the feeling this is more than just Tom's band now. This is a group effort and they have put out one of the best albums in the last decade. I loved Whisper, and felt the growth from Blink/Box Car was tangible, but they have grown leaps and bounds from the first album, so much so, that I am wondering just how high this band can go, and how much they have to offer over the next couple of decades.
I know I will scoop up everything they release. I am sold on AVA, and they deliver with depth and scope, and with songs that can be played over and over again without getting old. That is something that makes a great album, and I am happy to be a part of this fantastic empire.
Free Music Review: Great CD, one of the best of 2007
Hit: 5 Stars
If you have are reading reviews and thinking about buying this CD, do not wait another second. Buy this CD. It is that good. This guys (Tom Delonge)new group plays music with so much passion. It is so cool to hear a group that you can tell works hard on each song. A group that has passion for their sound. These guys flat out get it done! One of the songs I just love is "Rite of Spring" this song kind of tells the story of his life ( I assume it is the lead singers life) and the band he starts the tough times he goes through, and how he would never go back and change a thing, because it made him who he is today. It just gets me each time I listen to it. When you have a tough day, month or year, don't get mad at the world. Fight, and do not change the tough times you have in front of you. It will make you who you are one day down the road. Always fight the good fight and stick to your dreams, and live life honestly. This song freaking kicks butt. "Lifeline" is a great song, just so much passion in this song. I also really like the song "Heaven". You will really like it a lot. Listen, buy this album. Click the button and buy this album. When a group puts music together with this much passion in their songs, the group should be rewarded. Passion should be rewarded. Their passion for their music comes out in each song. It is hard to find a album these days where each song is dang good, This album is the album that gives you a "every song is good album" If Angel and Airwaves ever reads this review. I want to thank you for playing music with passion, I want to thank you for the hours of hard work that went into this album and I look forward to the next one. People buy this CD!!!!!! The passion and love they have and the desire they have to make a kick butt albums just comes out in every song. Just buy it so you can enjoy the sound....Free Music Review: Mindblowing
Hit: 5 Stars
This album is incredible! I can't even describe it. The fact that when I'm writing this review and every single one is a 5 star review should say something. Tom Delonge struck gold on this one! I would review each individual song, but it would get very repetitive. Everything gets a 10/10 for me. It's one of those CDs where you wish could go higher than a 10 point scale will let you.
Each of the songs is amazing and has great vocals, epic music, and excellent lyrics. There are two instrumentals on the CD, but both are cool. I've given it a few days to try to wear off, but that won't happen. I haven't been able to stop listening to it. Tom intended for this to be the 2nd half of We Don't Need To Whisper (which I thought was an incredible album). If the two are meant to be combined (which I think they do very well), then this dual album is the greatest album I've ever heard. AVA have created the greatest masterpiece of our generation with these two albums. All the good things you've heard about I-Empire specifically are true as well.
I don't know what to say. Tom's lyrics and songs for any band he's been in have always been an inspiration for me. AVA have taken me on a journey and given me a new perspective on the world and life in general. I love blink-182, but (incredible and revolutionary as they were) what if that was just Tom getting started? Something to think about.
I give this CD two thumbs way up. I highly recommend it to anyone.