Review Summary: Hinder have gone all-out with a great party album, with a great onslaught of rock as it was meant to be.
Just like fellow hard-hitters
Nickelback, Oklahoma-born band
Hinder have recieved a lot of unnecessary criticism and haters, many of whom focus on one aspect without looking at the full spectrum. When you really look at it, however, Hinder's work actually contains quite a few highlights, with some amazing lyrics here to there, some great headbanging moments, and some great rock music to go. All American Nightmare is no exception.
Hinder have never been hesistant to go straight for the throat from first chord - and on this album, its heavier, stronger, and rawer than ever. They sound more passionate amongst this onslaught of guitars and drums. Partying, attitude, sex, drugs and rock n roll are high on Hinder's agenda, teasing the listener with what they wish they could live like. The band has a lot of attitude, and for this record, they've let it run loose.
"2 Sides of Me", a pun on the dumb, cliche text speak that many pop artists use in song titles now, opens the album in a fashion that immediately reeks irony to the title - its nothing like mainstream pop. This song is full of heavy riffs, attitude, and strength, with singer Austin Winkler's vocals wailing and ripping through the song like hes never had this much fun in his life. He sounds believable and it's really hard to not want to join in with his raw, passionate singing.
"All American Nightmare", the title track, continues this attitude, catchy riff work and actual entertainment. Love it or hate it, these guys definitely entertain their fans well, delivering rock that leaves no room for "bull***". In this track, Winkler sings about a guy who is pumped full of attitude and can play the girls like its as easy as a child spelling the alphabet. He sounds convincing, which again, is the stronghold of their songs staying together well.
However, as much as Hinder delivers the fast paced rock songs well, they've always had most success with the slower power ballads ("Lips Of An Angel", "Better Than Me", "Without You" from previous albums). This album is no exception, with songs "What Ya Gonna Do" and "The Life" being the standout tracks from the album, powerful choruses and strong lyrics about the less-awesome attributes of the "high life", all whilst the listener restrains from pulling out a lighter and joining in, whilst bellowing the chorus with Winkler.
They also continue the habit of sticking up a middle finger to the mainstream hip hop world and the pop divas that obviously make Hinder, and their fans too, want to retch, with obvious stabs at hip hop in "Hey Ho" and popstars or "wannabe strippers" (quote lyrics) as Hinder put it, such as Miley Cyrus, Katy Perry and Lady Gaga in "Striptease". I repeat what I have said to emphasise how well Hinder deliver - they sound convincing, and are hard to resist joining in to. It's just great party music!
They close the album in a great tribute to rockers-gone-by, with the nostalgic and cleverly-written "Put That Record On", an obvious hat-off to some of their favorite artists, quoting AC/DC's "Back In Black", Guns N Roses "Knockin' On Heaven's Door", Aerosmith's "Walk This Way", Led Zepplin's "Whole Lotta Love" and more. With the chorus of the song ("Turn, turn, turn it up loud..."), its hard NOT to turn it up to max volume and bellow the song, and wish there was more at the end.
It's not all positive all the way. Some of the songs sound like they were added for filler ("Red Tail Lights", "Everybody's Wrong"), but this isn't an awful thing, as it gives the listener time to catch their breath between singing along to the songs that make this album a memorable, fun, enjoyable album - a rare thing amongst many of the day's releases. Hinder have caught back the attitude that made Extreme Behavior a hit after the mediocre "Take It To The Limit". Can't wait to see if they do even better next time. But you can expect another great party.
