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Angels & Airwaves (AVA)
When a famous musician plays with unknowns its called a side project. But when a well-known artist gets with musicians of equal or greater stature it's a supergroup. Record label marketing people love supergroups. They are easy to sell and the buzz just about creates itself. Problem is, expectations are rarely met because the hype is so out of control. Also, established musicians have been through the drill. They aren't about to take a backseat to anybody which usually leads supergroups to implode after a brief stint.
So why bother? Well, if your thirtieth birthday is approaching and the group that made you famous - in this case Blink-182 - is out in the ozone on "hiatus" what do you do? Go get that masters degree, sell real estate or maybe go into politics? Nope. You go with what you know. That's what Tom DeLonge did when he formed Angels & Airwaves.
DeLonge came by his imposing credentials honestly. Few bands in the late '90s/early '00s were on a par with Blink-182. They were huge and influential. DeLonge's guitar and vocals were a major reason. His first post-Blink 182 move came when he and Blink drummer Travis Barker launched the shortlived Box Car Racer with David Kennedy, whose rhythm guitar playing must have struck the right chord because he was invited to join Angels & Airwaves. Ryan Sinn and Atom Willard, both with impressive resumes, completed the line-up. In '06, the group issued their debut effort, "We Don't Need To Whisper."
Sinn left the band the following year and was replaced by Matt Wachter (who, in addition to bass, played keyboards). Also that year, the group gave an acoustic show. During the performance, four songs from their upcoming album, "I-Empire," were played using Willard's iPod. Of course, an audience member was video taping the concert and those tracks were leaked online, available to all. . It can be viewed as thievery or inadvertent marketing. Either way, "I-Empire," with the lead single, "Everything's Magic" made its official debut in November, '07.
The upside of being in a major group is fame, fortune and all the accruements of success. Of course, imitators come out of the woodwork and the pressure to keep topping your last effort is intense. It's tough - both on a personal and creative level. But what is really cruel is that everything that follows is measured against the legend which is perfectly preserved (if not enhanced) in a fast receding past.
To DeLonge's credit Box Car Racer was not a rehash of Blink-182. Nor is Angels & Airwaves a reworking of Box Car Racer (or Blink-182). Unfortunately, each successive group has yielded diminishing results.
Blink-182's self-titled '03 album marked a course change. In danger of having their audience outgrow them, the group decided to take a more mature approach. Bad move. Fans left in droves anyway and critics, who skewered the band in the past, now had good reason. For a group that was so huge, innovative and charmingly snotty, they suffered an odd, underplayed exit.
DeLonge's post-Blink career seems intent on reshaping that '03 Blink album (or at least the concept) into an artistic and commercial success. He vents on life's troubles (relationships, the day-to-day and getting by) but manages a few moments of contentment or at least an absence of turmoil on "We Don't Need To Whisper." The songs are generally good, if not terribly compelling. The exceptions are "The Adventure" which kicks like a Blink tune and "It Hurts," a welcome shot of the power-pop/Punk.
"Everything's Magic" is the lead single from "I-Empire." Unfortunately, everything is not magic but the album's not a failed effort either. The songs are often driven by a spot on impersonation of The Edge's rhythmic and insistent guitar with electronic noise whirling in, around and through. Good choice, though obviously not original.
Opening track, "Call To Arms," sets a serious tone and is actually pretty good. "Everything's Magic" is appealing but then the album hits a tortured snag. "Breathe" has the earnest line "did you know that I love you." Blink-182 would have sneered at anyone using something so nauseatingly obvious.
Actors are often advised not to think - just do. That's good advice for Rock bands too - especially Angels & Airwaves. They manage that on the snarling, confessional, "Rite Of Spring," with DeLonge tradiing his dysfunctional family for a Punk group. Always a good idea.