All Time Low, a Baltimore born pop-punk quartet formed in 2003, released ‘Dirty Work’, there fourth studio album, marking the band’s move to major label,Interscope. Perhaps it is this change that has influenced the variation in All Time Low’s original sound. Unfortunately, this records illustrates an apparent experimentation with sound and style, but All Time Low have lost the magic they used to have; their sharp and witty yet harmless lyrics combined with powerful pop and ballads have been erased and replaced with a soulless slap in the face for fans that were promised an honest record.
The band used to be unconventional, but well-liked by the pop-punk scene, but as they have seemingly attempted to leave the scene, they have been unable to redefine themselves well. Instead of creating a new style, they have really hit a brick wall, proving that it is important for bands and artists to stick to a genre of some kind. ‘Do You Want Me (Dead?)’ appears as sharp as comic as ever, but as the track begins, it is clear this is not the case. From the outset, the ‘guitaring’ is almost laughable and the introduction does not fit together somehow, despite the fact that the album’s release date was pushed back by several months, giving the band more time than expected to tweak any details such as this. Frontman Alex Gaskarth’s voice has been tampered with all too much, and the fake echo used on this track does not suit the band at all. As the song kicks it, it’s a kick in the face for fans expecting a meaningful yet comic track. The melody is simple and limp, but as the song progresses, it is obvious the record will be catchy, but not in a good way.
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| 'Dirty Work': Artwork |
The band used to be unconventional, but well-liked by the pop-punk scene, but as they have seemingly attempted to leave the scene, they have been unable to redefine themselves well. Instead of creating a new style, they have really hit a brick wall, proving that it is important for bands and artists to stick to a genre of some kind. ‘Do You Want Me (Dead?)’ appears as sharp as comic as ever, but as the track begins, it is clear this is not the case. From the outset, the ‘guitaring’ is almost laughable and the introduction does not fit together somehow, despite the fact that the album’s release date was pushed back by several months, giving the band more time than expected to tweak any details such as this. Frontman Alex Gaskarth’s voice has been tampered with all too much, and the fake echo used on this track does not suit the band at all. As the song kicks it, it’s a kick in the face for fans expecting a meaningful yet comic track. The melody is simple and limp, but as the song progresses, it is obvious the record will be catchy, but not in a good way.
Second track, ‘I Feel Like Dancin’ was released separately as a single on 05/04/2011, and after reviewing it myself, I had hoped this track was an lone experiment, but the remainder of the record follows a similar road; with a loss ofAll Time Low’s individual vigour found in their previous work. Making use of words such as ‘shawty’ and ‘crunk’, this song was, according to the band, created as a mocking of modern popular music, displaying just how nonsense-filled it really is, despite being co-written by Weezer’s frontman Rivers Cuomo. However, as the rest of ‘Dirty Work’ is very similar to ‘I Feel Like Dancin’, making All Time Low either hypocritical or oblivious of the same themes appearing in their own music.
Continuing the in un-inspirational direction, ‘Forget About It’ utilises voice variation and dance-inspired elements designed to block the listeners’ attention from the vocals. Although melodic, All Time Low have hit rock bottom by becoming lyrically lame, ‘You know, there are some days when I really feel like this could work. Like, you and I are finally gonna get it right. Then there are days like today, when you make me want to tear my fucking hair out." Understandably, relatable lyrics are the key to emotionally connecting with fans, but there is no heart placed into the lyrics themselves, as if they are the first draft of a work in progress. ‘Guts’, supposedly the new ‘Vegas’ (‘So Wrong, It’s Right’, 2007) commences with a start stop outline eventually crashing into off-beat drumming and more over-edited vocals. The sound of the chorus is almost pleasing, until you hear the pointless lyrical input that is, ‘I’ve got the guts to say anything...’. Where are the notable anecdotes from funny or emotional love stories?
‘Time Bomb’, if nothing else, makes an attempt saves this album. It hints at the ‘old’ All Time Low, with more natural vocals, actual audible use of instruments, a haunting yet varied melody and steady, crunchy pop-punk beat, it is everything that the rest of the album should be made up of. With a track such as this, you can visualise the venue yelling and shuffling along. ‘Just The Way I’m Not’ is immediately reminiscent of The Big Pink’s ‘Dominoes’, but with nothing but unnatural vocals and a back-beat, it is a wonder the song made it onto the record. It’s a track that will stick around in your head, but one you’d rather drown out with whatever you can. Seventh track ‘Under A Paper Moon’, ‘Return TheFavour’ and ‘No Idea’ are nothing but monotone, and the band’s only attempt of a ballad or sentimental song on the compilation, aside from acoustic versions of other tracks, ‘A Daydream Away’ has nothing on the band’s back catalogue of love songs; it is unrepeatable and almost fickle for a love song.
‘That Girl’, ‘that girl, she’s such a bitch’. Need I say more? Like the rest of the album, there is no heart or theme for this track, it is both dull and meaningless. Final track, ‘Heroes’ is anything but heroic. Its lyrical imagery if you man ‘you’re not a hero, you’re a liar, you’re not a saviour, you’re a vampire, sucking the life out of all the friends you’ve ever known...’ is laughable. Bonus track ‘Get Down On Your Knees And Tell Me You Love Me’ is the second best track from ‘Dirty Work’ and it is criminal and baffling as to why it is not actually on the record. Other bonus tracks‘My Only One’, ‘Bad Enough For You’ and (appalling) acoustic attempts of ‘I Feel Like Dancin’ and ‘Time Bomb’ revert back to the disappointing sound from the rest of the record.
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| All Time Low? Exactly. |
‘That Girl’, ‘that girl, she’s such a bitch’. Need I say more? Like the rest of the album, there is no heart or theme for this track, it is both dull and meaningless. Final track, ‘Heroes’ is anything but heroic. Its lyrical imagery if you man ‘you’re not a hero, you’re a liar, you’re not a saviour, you’re a vampire, sucking the life out of all the friends you’ve ever known...’ is laughable. Bonus track ‘Get Down On Your Knees And Tell Me You Love Me’ is the second best track from ‘Dirty Work’ and it is criminal and baffling as to why it is not actually on the record. Other bonus tracks‘My Only One’, ‘Bad Enough For You’ and (appalling) acoustic attempts of ‘I Feel Like Dancin’ and ‘Time Bomb’ revert back to the disappointing sound from the rest of the record.
Blunt, honest, yet tinged with emotion, the old All Time Low were edgy and tinged with dramatic drive. Aside from one or two tracks, the band have lost their way with this new sound on this album. Track after track of immature meaningless melodies, the soul has disappeared from their sound, with no individuality or rock edge in sight. ‘Dirty Work’ is a slap in the face for their fans! All Time Low? Exactly.
1/5
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