All Time Low- I Feel Like Dancin’ (05/04/2011– Interscope Records)

     Baltimore born Pop Punk band All Time Low have released this, their first single from upcoming third studio album ‘Dirty Work’. Co-written with Weezer’s frontman Rivers Cuomo (along with the All Time Low’s own Alex Gaskarth), this track is everything most people expect from a Pop Punk band; harmless.

All Time Low

     In recent interviews, the band have expressed a delight in composing their new album with more personal and emotional songs, and unfortunately, this track utterly undermines that concept. The tune appears to be
‘borrowed’ from Joan Jett and The Blackhearts’ ‘I Love Rock And Roll’, as well as ‘Pour Some Sugar On Me’ by Def Leppard’. Undeniably, both are catchy, impressive songs, but cloning of them is unnecessary.

     Beginning with the word ‘shawty’ followed by ‘crunk’, the boys have managed to construct a real ‘facepalm’ moments for themselves.  As the song progresses, some of All Time Low’s edge and vigour return, with mischievous lyrics (if a little immature), ‘Everybody get kinda awesome...’, and an infectious chorus. Any fan of the band can recognise that this track will be nothing compared to previous work live as it has none of the punch as, for instance, ‘Damned If I Do Ya (Damned If I Don’t’) (Nothing Personal, 2009), but its likeability makes it impossible to completely hate. All Time Low have never come across as a serious (emotional) band, but this song fails to even capture the party-mode they tend to embrace so well.

'I Feel Like Dancin': Artwork

     Lyrically, this track is a train wreck; without depth or hint of sentiment. Of course bands experiment all the time, so let’s hope this is recognised as an unsuccessful one by the guys, and not a new sound. However, it has been reported that Gaskarth wrote the song as a joke to make am ironic joke of mainstream music and the tedious party songs many people adore. But why write a song embracing it...and then release it as the first single from a brand new, more poignant album?

     Only time will tell if All Time Low have produced an album bursting with tracks like this and return to their lovable characters so many know and love.


2/5


 Watch the official music video for ‘I Feel Like Dancin’ here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTJkE8Ki3Gg