Review:

on 2010-09-04 george3724 Said:

"When the World Comes Down" was quite a disappointment. We all waited eagerly for the come-back of the All-American Rejects. When their third album came out and hit the market, I was immediately disappointed. They had softened, no longer the punk band. Their music had become more pop-like and mellow. Even more shocking, their use of instruments diminished and electronic editing and computer made sounds replaced their instrumental skill.

The first disappointment came with "Gives You Hell'. The song did well and I did like it, but I immediately knew that a change had come over the Rejects. It was much more mellow and mainstream. I believe only the long waiting allowed fans to be excited for this song. The rest of the album was also mainstream. It seemed that the Rejects had given in.

Also, their live performances seemed to become more and more mediocre. From "Move Along", their live vocals have dwindled from either lack of practice or too much smoking on Ritter's part. It did not change in "When the World Comes Down".

This album was indeed a disappointment but the songs weren't too bad in quality so it does deserve a 6.
Rating: 6/10

Review:

on 2009-01-13 kennyscheldt Said:

Rocky Balboa... David and Goliath... Everybody always loves an underdog story. But we also cling firmly to the adage "The bigger they are, the harder they fall." For a band that formed in high school and used to put on shows with sequenced loops (for lack of a drummer), the rise to the top of the pop charts may have actually been aided by some type of sonic catapult or I Dream of Jeannie wish sequence. But all the "Where did these guys come from ?" kidding aside, The All-American Rejects success is a product of countless hours of refining their emo sounds into something palatable for our ears to digest.

At the top of their game in 2007, if was difficult for one not to hear The All-American Rejects. Their hit songs "Dirty Little Secret," "Move Along, " and "It Ends Tonight," were featured on countless commercials, prime-time television shows, and of course pop radio. Back then fans of AAR couldn't wait for the "Move Along" album. With the song "Swing Swing" still stuck in their heads from the Rejects eponymous debut, AAR listeners were begging lead singer Tyson Ritter for more after the band peaked at 25 on the Billboard 200 charts back in '03.

The fans got it. The little garage band was soon rocking stadiums.

The "Move Along" record has since been certified double platinum in the US, and included a #1 single for "Dirty Little Secret."

But just as Americans have had enough of George Bush politics, it seems like the weather has also changed around eight years of AAR. Their latest release When the World Comes Down ironically has the perfect title for such a collection of tunes. Without a single song that truly ignites the listener like Move Along, AAR might just be coming down. How far I don't know yet.

Im sure the record company of DGC/Interscope will promote them enough to create several hits but none that will affect us like their previous disc.

Why did they release a deluxe version of the album with demo versions of practically every song? Were they unsure if they had possibly over produced the record? Might be.

In any case, if they do fall, I will be the first in line rooting for that underdog reject band from Stillwater to make a miraculous comeback.

May I suggest the new Jack's Mannequin "The Glass Passenger "or  "Everything In Transit" if you are looking for what you hoped "When the World Comes Down "would be.

Rating: 6/10