All Time Low - Nothing Personal
Rating
RIYL
MESTHit the Lights
The Maine
All or Nothing
Release Date
07/07/2009
Label
Hopeless RecordsTracklist
1. Weightless2. Break Your Little Heart
3. Damned If I Do Ya (Damned If I Don't)
4. Lost In Stereo
5. Stella
6. Sick Little Games
7. Hello, Brooklyn
8. Walls
9. Too Much
10. Keep The Change, You Filthy Animal
11. A Party Song (The Walk of Shame)
12. Therapy
Users Rating |
Your RatingCreate an account or log in to rate this album |
Recent Ratings |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All Time Low is a fun band. Their music leaves audiences running around and dancing at shows, in cars, and in the living room. The pop hooks and smooth melodies force people to at least give the band a try. But the story isn’t all pop hit after pop hit. All Time Low took a huge loss cramming all that filler into their sophomore full-length, So Wrong, It’s Right. The singles were pretty much the best songs they had, with the exception of “Poppin' Champagne.” Saying the words “poppin’ champagne” in a song (let alone starting with it) is an automatic power off. Right off the bat, Nothing Personal beats So Wrong, It's Right. When making comparisons involiving Nothing Personal, you really have to compare it to All Time Low's debut album, The Party Scene as well as the first half of All Time Low’s major-indie label career.
When listening to this record, MEST initially came to mind. It’s something in the vocal melody that reminds me of Tony Lovato. Alex Gaskarth does sound older, and with the age came better melody and wider range even though he abused the auto-tune option in “Too Much.” All Time Low’s initial sound is very upbeat and almost musical-like (for those who have seen the recent wave of popular teen broadways). This leads to a big issue in that, at times, it sounds a little too much like something from the Disney Channel. The chorus for “Stella” sounds made for the Sleepover soundtrack. I know ATL isn’t some complex math-rock band, but we understand the 1-2-1-2 rhyming combo. At least give the audience something of substance while you do it.
After zoning out from “Stella” I pretty much hadn’t noticed it had changed to “Sick Little Games.” Luckily I caught it when the vocals change at the bridge with the gang vocals afterwards being a red flag that I wasn’t listening to the same song. It can get real boring after “Damned If I Do Ya (Damned If I Don't),” but there’s a little glimmer of hope. “Walls” puts some musical charm on the ears in an attempt to put the album back in your good graces. The pre-produced Dipset beat in the intro is quite addicting along with the smooth vocal melody that Alex whips up. The droplets of auto-tune, though, are something you'll need to get used to. By the time the song ends it's back to “Luckie St.” where All Time Low attempts to rip off Cartel’s self-titled album for an even more craptacular extravaganza. It’s a lame attempt at trying to sound “mysteriously romantic” and poppy.
There is hope for this album, however. Where you have some solid songs, like “Weightless” and “A Party Song (The Walk of Shame),” there’s glimpses of potential. “Keep The Change You Filthy Animal” has some minor upsides. It’s a track that grows after a few plays and has some interesting lyrics about ruining relationships laid out in a catchy melodic fashion. There’s also plethora of guest appearance throughout the album, but none are good enough to deserve note.
Nothing Personal ends on a good note. “Therapy” is a slow, simple, and sweet song. It’s a seriously good ballad and concluding track. This album overshadows their sophomore attempt, but there doesn’t seem to be a way for All Time Low to be able to top what they’ve once did on their first album. This latest album can get them recognized once again, but it can’t launch them any higher than they already are. It’s a tiny tightrope All Time Low walks in this business. One small move and they can end up like The Maine and commit a Houston Calls.
--Jose Terrero
Comments
Minnesota
This band is completely horrendous.
Find me EVERYWHERE:
Baton Rouge
I would just make the PC "they're not really my thing" comment, but I have to agree with Rick, this band's music is not good in any way that I can interpret the word.
Boobs
http://thenicsperiment.blogspot.com/
Dubuque
The Dangerous Summer is better.
Facebook / MySpace
View Chris Conlan's profile on LinkedIn
San Jose, CA
Musically there is nothing good about this band. "Weightless" was a good song, the rest of the album was horrendously generic.
last.fm/user/thetsaiguy
Atascadero, CA
two good songs, thats about it.
Decoymusic.com (CEO/Founder)
Blue Reef Design Studios (Web Development)
http://aarontroy.tumblr.com
Lehigh Valley, PA
haha MEST! "Top down seat back rollin in my Cadillac"
Oddly enough I have never listened to this band. I'm pretty sure that judging by the RIYL, I don't want to.
Baltimore, MD
Yea, hate hate hate that this group is one of the biggest known artists out of B-more right now, so many better local acts not getting credit they deserve
Last.fm | RateYourMusic | 8tracks
New York
This is the future of music. Unless there isn't a drastic change in our society. We're going to have to get used to it.
Cold Showers for Stereology
http://coldshowersforstereology.blogspot.com/
Lehigh Valley, PA
Really???? If this becomes true, then I'm done with music sir. I will never "get used to it". Sorry.
California
Hopeless used to be the best indie label til they brought up Avenged Sevenfold now they don't sign any good punk bands just the money makers. Guess that's business but I'd still like to see some amazing Sub City bands keeping the roots alive.
New York
I think we need a new wave of record labels promoting old school values and willing to sign bands right out of their garage and not out of MySpace.
Cold Showers for Stereology
http://coldshowersforstereology.blogspot.com/
Atascadero, CA
labels are too afraid to take on projects nowdays with the continuing piracy and everything. its not worth it to build bands anymore. I dont get it though cuz back in the day each band would lose a label money but they still did it for the love of music and based on band potential. now if u get an internet following or whatever you can be a terrible band and still get signed.
Decoymusic.com (CEO/Founder)
Blue Reef Design Studios (Web Development)
http://aarontroy.tumblr.com
Green Brook, NJ
3 stars? absolutely not.
Manchester, England
...and this is why only I should review pop.
Dubuque
You actually enjoyed this?
Facebook / MySpace
View Chris Conlan's profile on LinkedIn
Manchester, England
that's not what I meant, I haven't listened to it enough to form a solid enough opinion.
I just mean....
I'll leave that for you to decide how I meant it.
Manchester, England
in fact no I won't.
this review is horribly flawed. "Stella" is easily the best track on this album, and to say it sounds like something from the Disney channel when the entire premise of the song is based on romance stemming solely from being too drunk to see straight is laughable and ill-informed.