Angels and Airwaves
I-Empire

Release Date: 2007 | Tracklist

“If I had my own world,
I’d build you an empire.”

Basically two years after Angels and Airwaves disappointing debut album, Angels and Airwaves is unfortunately getting a lot of press. Again. Look, deep inside of us, we all want to like Angels and Airwaves. Whether you’d like to believe that they are ‘saviors of rock’ and ‘the best music in the past 20 years’, you know, that somewhere deep within you wants Angels and Airwaves to be good. Their inspiring lyrical concepts and space rock-type sounds just beg to be enjoyed and coveted. So, with the release of Angels and Airwaves’ latest release I-Empire impending, the question is: Does I-Empire fully live up to the band reputation?

Unfortunately, no. Once again, DeLonge has thrown out a bunch of fake space rock anthems with about as much depth as Fall Out Boy's Infinity on High. Once again, the lyrics strike a deep, meaningful pose, but the music doesn’t live up to the lyrical quality. The tracks flow together better than ever, and they all tie together; but unfortunately, it’s not good music. DeLonge roars over soaring keyboards, ‘familiar’ guitar riffs, and really boring songwriting. Another really big problem here is I-Empire’s familiarity to Blink-182’s Take Off Your Pants and Jacket as well as Angels and Airwaves’ debut. Apparently DeLonge hasn’t musically matured over the years, and has resorted to rehashing riffs from classic Blink-182 songs, most notably in Everything’s Magic. I’m not really that good at noticing when riffs are recycled, but listening to Anthem Part Two from Blink-182’s Take Off Your Pants and Jacket and then Everything’s Magic, I’ve decided that the opening riff is exactly the same. What garbage.

We all know DeLonge’s got the talent to make really good music, but Angels and Airwaves definitely isn’t getting the job done. I’m really tired of the two-minute keyboard introductions, guys. We passed that stage in rock in the late 80s. But, unfortunately, someone forgot to give the memo to DeLonge. Almost every song over utilizes that same structure of opening up with a two-minute keyboard introduction before shifting into auto-drive with a completely bland verse-chorus-verse song structure. At least there’s not a keyboard introduction as painful and brutal as Distraction, though. Definitely a good thing. But I still feel that DeLonge has lost his ability to innovate because even We Don’t Need to Whisper showed off some truly awesome song structures and managed to differentiate each track. But I-Empire takes three steps back, and falls in a sinkhole.

When Call to Arms kicked off the album, I was brimming with hope. Emotionally charged lyrics, catchy choruses, powerful vocal performances, as well as some really great guitar riffs. There was plenty of hope coming through that I-Empire would be a pleasant surprise. But, I was proven wrong. Outside of Breathe, the album, is well, unbearable. I’m in shock and awe that DeLonge really allowed this half-done album slip into the mainstream. But not only does the utter lack of depth, repetitiveness, recycled feel of the album hurt them, DeLonge’s ego is out of control. His latest letter about I-Empire is disgusting. I remember a time that I used to admire Tom DeLonge. Back in his time with Blink-182, when they were just a bunch of kids with a guitar and a passion of good punk. It really makes me miss those times. He’s resorted to cheap tactics and overused melodrama.

His vocals are more trite, whiny, and uninspired that ever…as well. He barely grabs above a roar, and seems to sing in the same tone the whole album. The album seems confused and doesn’t have a certain direction like We Don’t Need to Whisper had, and unfortunately, it’s all very predictable. But who was expected anything more? Certainly not me. There was hope that my former idol would pull something amazing, but he fell short. I-Empire is a complete utter piece of over-cooked, over-dramatic, boring garbage. There’s only one song I enjoy. Breathe. An atmospheric, moving piece of work that is emotionally draining, heavy-hearted, and emotional. But, outside of Breathe, the album is unbearable. It’s almost as unbearable as the Star Wars-ripoff artwork.

Tom DeLonge has done a faceplant in the concrete. You’ve watched a star rise, peak, and fade away. Unfortunately, it’s hit DeLonge the hardest. But it happens to all rock stars, age 30 or age 70. It just hit DeLonge a little bit early. He’s got no passion, emotion. No depth. No songwriting skills. Everything’s Magic? You’ve got to be kidding me. There’s no peak in I-Empire, it never gets exciting, and is always dull and boring. All stars die, eventually. Tragically, it hit one of rock’s best budding talents. I-Empire is proof of that.

"I do this from time to time
Where I can never wake from a bad dream."

Tweet

Recent reviews by this author
Rivers Cuomo Alone: The Home Recordings of Rivers Cuomo	Eve 6 It's All In Your Head
Red Hot Chili Peppers Californication	The Mars Volta The Bedlam in Goliath
My Chemical Romance The Black Parade	Nine Inch Nails Year Zero

user ratings (779)

rate it Awful - 1 Very Poor - 1.5 Poor - 2 Average - 2.5 Good - 3 Great - 3.5 Excellent - 4 Superb - 4.5 Classic - 5

3.2 good

Rank: #172 for 2007