Blink-182 - One More Time... - ALBUM REVIEW

So, here they are, back for one more trip around the sun. Ladies and gentlemen, Blink 182 are back in business. With a brand new record, clocking in around 50 minutes of pure pop punk, will this record live up to the insane excitement from long-time fans, or fall painfully flat as all hype, but no heat? And I know what you're thinking - dude, this record has been out for absolutely fucking ages - why are you only just getting around to it now after you've reviewed a bunch of other shit that came out so much later? My simple response - I forgot this was in my drafts, and I've been far too busy playing Fallout 4. Well, here's my track by track breakdown of the original trio's new effort, One More Time.

(One More Time... Album Cover)

1."Anthem Part 3" 3:33

As an opener, this track really just encapsulates Blink and what this new record is all about. Named classically like the other two before them on Enema and TOYPAJ it instantly creates that sweet feeling of nostalgia while keeping to newer roots. The drums are heavy, and have some of the fastest doubled down bass leads that I've heard in a long long time, with some amazing splashes of cymbal thrown in. Tom is giving his classic over pronounced vocals that transport you right back to the early days, and along with some brilliant lyrics and perfect backing from Mark Hoppus this is a real statement that these guys aren't taking this record lightly. They're doing this over again for them, making music laced with their DNA that also oozes this insane new energy and volatility and won't let it fail.

2."Dance with Me" 3:08

This song is another dead ringer to that classic Blink 182 but with another distinct flavour, with a brilliantly lively hi-hat drum beat and crunchy guitar strum mixed in intermittently, with the bass sections weaving effortlessly between. This feels like Ramones does pop punk, with some brilliant gang vocals. Performances once again are effortless wall to wall, with some classic DeLonge fairy-tale lyricism. This song is just clean, fun and a real bop that's easy to jump around to. The breakdown feels brilliant, and flows through the track effortlessly with the added echoey vocals before it slams again into the chorus section, nailing the rise and fall, building to the final crescendo. Really, really good stuff.

3."Fell in Love" 2:18

The synth clap is an odd intro choice, but listening to it melt into the live drums is a really cool feature. Again, the effortless transitions between Mark and Tom's vocals is really brilliant - props to Travis - and having Mark on the harmonies in the chorus is such a cool extra layer. The lyrics are classic Blink cheese, talking about sex, getting drunk and falling in love, but it somehow feels more mature. How could I forget the past? We fell in love, and it was magical - this is by no means a 'Party Song' redo. It's just another pretty laid back song that focuses on getting all the things this band does right perfect, and it's absolutely nailed it.

4."Terrified" 2:48

This song has a really interesting story, being that it was actually an old Box Car Racer demo that Tom bought back to work on with the guys - and I'm so glad they did. This song is just pure genius. The walking snare in the background building up to the chaotic and buzzy chorus, breaking itself down with the muted guitar, before going silent and blasting straight back into a breakdown. It takes you on a ride, and feels like a classic pop-punk/hardcore fistfight of a track. You're strapped in and thrown around, listening to the soft vocals from Tom backed up perfectly by Mark and underpinned by Travis' pin point accuracy on the kit. This song is an absolute highlight that has your head banging and your arms waving, and why shouldn't it? It signifies in my mind the real healing between the guys - because Hoppus said in an interview that a few years prior he would never have dreamed of touching this track, but he's so glad he did.

5."One More Time" 3:28

There's a reason this track is making elder emo's cry. Based off of a strummed guitar and some gentle piano, this song really lets it's lyrics speak for itself. It tells the journey of the band, how they went their own ways and realised that the pain shouldn't have been the thing that bought them together in the end. Obviously, Mark and Tom had some serious bad blood between them, and the two of them only really started to debate bringing back Blink when Hoppus was treated with Lymphoma - and this song asks the question why did that tragedy bring about the building of our bridges again? It's beautiful, introspective, and tells a story in such a simple way - and even features Travis' vocal debut.

6."More Than You Know" 3:37

This song opens on a strange sombre note with just some single note piano before scratching into a classic pop punk breakdown. It's bright and colourful, and has a decent groove to it. The verses are a bit more simple, and the bridge parts are a bit off for me, with the punk off beat shouting not really hitting the spot for me. But the chorus is decent, and carries on at that same blistering pace, peeling itself back nicely before ploughing back into the chorus. It's a good track, but for me has no star power to it. It's listenable, but pretty basic in terms of its structure and isn't as much of a mindblower as those that come before or after it. Even in it's more emotional refrain, it just doesn't do it for me - and that's ok.

7."Turn This Off!" 0:24

As far as interludes go, this one is absolutely hilarious. In classic Blink fashion this is the crudest, dick joke filled interlude that bleeds perfectly into perhaps the less mature sections of this record. If you ever needed a warning, this is it!

8."When We Were Young" 2:41

This track is a nostalgic one, and has some of the best introspective lyrics. With those classic story telling elements from DeLonge and a stellar performance from Travis Barker this track is a formula that is bound to be brilliant. A little jumpy in the chorus sure, and in my head the choppier parts it has an element to it that doesn't sit to well with me, but I can still appreciate this as another decent track that is good, but has again nothing particularly stand out amazing in it, like More Than You Know. Not much more to say really with its short runtime, it comes, plays well, and goes.

9."Edging" 2:31

Now, I chatted a lot of shit about this track when it first came out, but you know what? It's grown on me. As a song that's a standalone single without context, it just does not work. It really shines amongst these songs when it's part of a record however, especially after When We Were Young in terms of looking back at the classic Blink formula. The drums are snappy filled with catchy fills, the guitar sits in the forefront of the mix and sound great, and the lyrics are good - even if they are a bit cringe. Vocals are great, and evoke that carefree warm fuzzy feeling early Blink 182 brings - life is all just sex, dumb shit and rock and roll, and you know what? That's pretty alright by me.

10."You Don't Know What You've Got" 3:19

This song is by far my favourite on this album. It's gritty and complex, mature and introspective, and so instrumentally tight it just oozes perfection. Dealing with Mark's cancer diagnosis, the struggle of adapting to his treatment and his life severely changing. Intimate lyrics over a brilliantly complex drum sequence slamming into a triumphant chorus with some brilliant vocal harmonies. It is a song that delivers everything you'd expect from these guys and so much more - the lyricism is beautiful and provocative, it elicits real genuine emotion in you. You can't help but feel for Hoppus singing his heart out about not knowing what he had until he was threatened to loose it all. It reaches a real emotional high with the bridge, and then goes straight back into the chorus again, sounding even more triumphant than the last time and leaves this ballad on such a high. Definite highlight for me, without a doubt.

11."Blink Wave" 3:08

If you're feeling a touch whiplashed from the style of the last track to this one, I don't blame you. This synth led retro love letter is the Yin to the last tracks Yang, but I can't say that's a bad thing. It's built around some great atmospheric synth and complex drum grooves and dreamy guitar. It's another easy listener, and when it hits that chorus you can't help bop your head. It really flourishes in it's dichotomy, with an instrumental that sounds like the worlds most cheerful Cure song with lyrics that are more about being afraid of death and loosing someone than anything remotely happy. It's a great track, reminiscent of so many styles from bands that influence them and taking that DNA and making something brilliantly unique.

12."Bad News" 2:20

This one baits you out with a bit of acoustic guitar before slamming into a more punk-esque rager. It slams on and on with heavy drums and picked guitar and is another one that you can't help screaming along and banging your head. Lyrically, sure a little basic, but oh my god sonically, what a banger. It takes some time in a little refrain to pull on the heartstrings a little, before then shooting right back into the chaos. It's an absolute ride, but a brilliant one.

13."Hurt (Interlude)" 1:22

Yeah man this one is an interlude, so uh...go listen to it. It's a bit odd, and feels more like an Angels and Airwaves song, but it's alright. Nothing to write home about.

14."Turpentine" 3:05

Holy. Shit. This track is fucking gold. Full of that venom and bite from the classic emo days with their signature cheeky lyricism, Turpentine is an absolute banger. A true character study of Tom DeLonge, it's an absolute masterclass. Chocked full of crunchy guitar, weaving bass and splashy cymbal heavy drums, this track is not one to sleep on. The lyrics draw you in, and the rise and fall punches you in the gut and pushes you straight back out. It's a song that kicks ass, takes names, and rages on and on and on. The added Hoppus section adds so much to it as well, bringing it back to a nice emotional beat before then slipping back into that playful full speed pace. An absolute modern day pop-punk classic.

15."Fuck Face" 0:27

Uh...yeah...another interlude. Sure. It's cool, just a lot of shouted vocals over some crunchy guitar and manic drums.

16."Other Side" 2:10

This song is a tribute to Mark Hoppus' long time bass tech Rob Ortiz, and is an absolutely beautiful pop-punk wave goodbye to the people the band care about. It talks about love, companionship, bonding over music and late night coffee and feels brilliantly optimistic in a way only Blink 182 can. When you don't know the context, it's a good track, with lots of great drums, as usual, but when you know the real backstory, it hits so much harder. It's a beautiful and heartfelt tribute to someone who was with the band from the relative beginning, and vowing that they'll meet again somewhere down the line.

17."Childhood" 4:19

Ah, yes, the closer. This one is an absolute doozy. It's another introspective one, and really looks at the spaces the band found themselves in prior to this record, maybe even during it. Who are we, what the fuck is this world coming to? It's a brilliant ode to childhood naivety, to the battles lost between them, and where ultimately their lives led them. With the shouted chorus of 'where did our childhood go?' you feel these guys' pain here. Where did it go? In a band that really revolved around being themselves, childish and stupid, where do they now fit into that context so long after the band's conception. How do they go back now that Blink moved away with Matt Skiba to a more mature sound? But ultimately there's a happy conclusion here, that they're healing those wounds, that this record is bringing them back to the better times, and making them reconnect with their loves for each other and the music they're making. All bits nostalgic, tear jerking and beautiful, when I talk about good closers to an album, this is a prime example.

Digital Exclusive bonus tracks

(Yeah I know I don't usually do this but I left it so long that these are here too so I might as well.)

18."Cut Me Off" 2:08

I won't say this lightly, but it is a fucking shame this didn't make the album. It is a brilliant track. It sounds so so good, with the witty lyrics and precision instrumentals, it's a real flex of Blink's song making chops. Full of great vocals, brilliant bass that's given time to breathe and weave within the track, and some brilliant drums, this song is a highlight for me - without a shadow of a doubt. If you haven't heard this bonus track, go and listen to it right now. Like right now, I don't care what your doing. You won't regret it.

19."See You" 3:22

This one is another cool track, and unlike Cut Me Off I understand why this one is a bonus track. It has some really awesome parts, like the echoed vocals and brilliant chorus that feels really good sonically, but it's not as strong as a lot of the tracks on the record. Nonetheless, it's a decent one, and has some really great lyrics- even if they're the signature brand of DeLonge cheese.

(Blink 182 - Image courtesy of Rolling Stone)

Overall: Look man, since this record came out and now, I've been a bit off my Blink 182 hyper fixation. However, even if I'm not neck deep in their music anymore, it does not deny the effect this record had on me when it came out. This album is a masterpiece of song writing, production and performance. It encapsulates everything brilliant about the band we love, as well as a newer more mature side to them that really helps their music stay relevant today. So many of the songs off this record are still on my playlist and I still rock out to, and I think the fact it's stood that test of time speaks volumes. I don't think after this one that Blink have anything to prove. They can still shred shit like they used to - and props to 'em. These guys are legends of the game, and this record is simply brilliant top to tail, with only some small issues with songs that fell a touch flat just for me personally. Well done Blink 182 this record is a legendary return.

Highlights: Terrified, One More Time, You Don't Know What You've Got, Turpentine, Cut Me Off

Rating: 8/10

(I know this has taken a while, sorry. But it's been a bit of a mammoth to tackle and honestly I've prioritised other stuff recent over it because of that. I hope that even though it's crazy late, you can still appreciate my thoughts on it, and appreciate the fact that now it's off my plate, a weight has been lifted, at least mentally for me aha! I'll try my best to not let any more projects on this blog get the best of me, but of course no promises)