{"id":5173,"date":"2016-06-30T12:24:36","date_gmt":"2016-06-30T12:24:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/album-review-blink-182-california\/"},"modified":"2018-03-21T22:03:11","modified_gmt":"2018-03-21T22:03:11","slug":"album-review-blink-182-california","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alreadyheard.com\/staging\/album-review-blink-182-california\/","title":{"rendered":"Album Review: blink-182 – California"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/figure>\n

The kings of modern pop punk have returned! However, it’s no longer the Mark, Tom and Travis show. blink-182<\/b> Version 3.0 (let’s not forget about Scott Raynor) arrives with a cloud of scepticism. It\u2019s no doubt that Matt Skiba is more than capable of filling the boots of the departed Tom DeLonge, yet you can\u2019t help approach \u2018California\u2019<\/i> with caution. <\/p>\n

Whilst 2011\u2019s comeback album, \u2018Neighborhoods\u2019<\/i> was a rigid, incohesive set of ideas, \u2018California\u2019<\/i> instantly shows solidarity between the trio and producer\/co-writer John Feldmann. At its core, is a full, resonate sound that thrives on bold and catchy songs. \u2018Bored To Death\u2019<\/i> sets the tone early on with its \u201coh oh oh oh\u201d<\/i>\u2019s. Although that first single made Skiba look like a guest vocalist, on tracks such as \u2018Los Angeles\u2019<\/i> and the tender \u2018Home Is Such A Lonely Place\u2019<\/i>, he comes into his own and compliments Mark Hoppus\u2019 self-deprecating vocals.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Elsewhere songs such as \u2018Sober\u2019<\/i>, \u2019No Filter\u2019<\/i>, \u2018Kings of the Weekend’<\/i> and \u2018San Diego\u2019<\/i> make good use of the pop-rock template that has been honed by many who Blink<\/b> paved the way before. The use of big choruses is a consistent and favourable trait. Whereas \u2018Rabbit Hole\u2019<\/i> is vintage Blink<\/b> through and through. As a whole, the record embraces blink-182<\/b>\u2019s pop sensibilities with a maturing eye. It sees a band that is content with what they\u2019re doing and not too worried about evolving.<\/p>\n

Nevertheless, \u2018California\u2019<\/i>\u2019s downfall is that at 16 songs deep, with only two of them serving as humorous stop-gaps, it challenges your attention span. Sure it\u2019s easy to criticise an album’s length, but with a style trapped in a summery pop-punk bubble, it\u2019s difficult to differentiate one track from another. Undoubtedly later cuts \u2018The Only Thing That Matters\u2019<\/i> and \u2018San Diego\u2019<\/i> are delivered with an abundance of urgency, yet somewhat arrive after the bands style has become tiresome.<\/p>\n

Beyond the length and slight lack of variation, \u2018California\u2019<\/i> is a fun record. It\u2019s a cohesive effort that doesn\u2019t stray too far from its comfort zone. All three members serve their purpose to the best of their ability. Hoppus has stepped forward as the leader with Matt Skiba leaving his mark throughout. Whilst the ever-impressive Travis Barker lives up to his reputation for being one of the best stickmen in the game.<\/p>\n

\u2018California\u2019<\/i> does it best to reassure you of a bright future for blink-182<\/b> with a familiar but fresh approach.<\/p>\n

3\/5<\/p>\n

\u2018California\u2019<\/i> by blink-182<\/b> is released on July 1st on BMG<\/b>.<\/p>\n

blink-182<\/b> links: Website<\/a>|Facebook<\/a>|Twitter<\/a>|Instagram<\/a>|Tumblr<\/a>|YouTube<\/a><\/p>\n

Words by S\u00eaan Reid (@SeanReid86<\/a>)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The kings of modern pop punk have returned! However, it’s no longer the Mark, Tom and Travis show. blink-182 Version 3.0 (let’s not forget about Scott Raynor) arrives with a cloud of scepticism. It\u2019s no doubt that Matt Skiba is more than capable of filling the boots of the departed Tom DeLonge, yet you can\u2019t […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":15569,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[1309,1681,3328,12398],"class_list":["post-5173","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-album-reviews","tag-blink-182","tag-bmg","tag-california","tag-sean-reid"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nAlbum Review: blink-182 - California - Already Heard Staging<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The kings of modern pop punk have returned! 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