Artist: All Time Low
Album: Nothing Personal
Label: Hopeless Records
Purchase: Myspace
Release Date: July 7th, 2009

Overall: 9.0
Music: 9.0 | Lyrics: 8.0 | Production: 9.5

Tell a music snob you’re into pop punk these days and chances are the only reaction you’ll get is a condescending smile or a crack about how “that’s cute.” Shit, maybe even both. And who can blame them? While there is a rock steady underground of amazing pop punk bands out there in vans across the world like Four Year Strong, Bayside, and Broadway Calls, they’re not the face of the genre. That honor belongs to a locust swarm of swoop haircut pretty boys who spend more time worrying about marketing plans and t-shirt endorsement deals than crafting songs that speak to people who aren’t still waiting for their first period. It’s enough to send even the most steadfast fan’s running for Pitchfork(s).

The embarrassment is understandable, which is why All Time Low holds a special place in my heart. As uncool as it might be claim the genre right now this Maryland, quartet keeps putting out albums that are undeniably catchy and musically progressive. Nothing Personal, their latest for Hopeless Records, initially seems slightly more “hyphy” from their previous two records, with guitarist Jack Barakat only providing pop worthy solos on a few of the standout tracks. What might seem like the band scaling back on one of their trademarks, and what some could argue is their secret weapon, is in actuality an exercise in less is more song writing. Instead of bludgeoning listeners with solos just because they sound cool they only appear on the tracks where they’re needed, and as a result give them more punch.

For you fans worried about how the band’s songs will hold up without the theatrics, fret not. The backbone of soaring crooning vocals and smart hooks is still intact. I used to joke that I might abandon All Time Low if the the band ever “sold out – so to say”, but that day has come and I’ve found there is plenty of room in my music collection for All time low. Perhaps it’s because vocalist Alex Gaskarth sounds right out of an early 90’s rock group, a welcome change from the bland emotionless drivel that passes for a vocal lead these days.

Where Nothing Personal steps up from being just another solid album from the band are the tracks where they add slightly different stylistic angles to their already solid pop punk. “Weightless” merges rockabilly rhythms, barbershop backup vocals, and driving pop-punk to sound unlike anything they’ve ever tried. “Damned If I do ya (Damned If I dont)” is the band’s first foray into full out melodic pop-punk and easily holds its own when put up next to Forever The Sickest Kids , The Maine, or Mayday Parade. The album closes with two of its strongest tracks, “Keep The Change, You Filthy Animal” and “A Party Song (The Walk Of Shame).” The first is a triumphant example of the band’s skill with mid tempo anthems meant to be screamed back live with your eyes closed. Its lyrics are the most biting of those found on the album, and while you wouldn’t want to be the person “So tell me what your best friend knows, that I don’t know. Tell me why you talk me down wherever you go.” was written about, it’s a sentiment anyone who’s dealt with a selfish bitch can rally behind. “Moceanu” on the other hand showcases a song writing depth that I never really expected from the band, regardless of the acclaim I hold them in. It uses a lyrical pattern, for example; “I make you come just to watch you leave. You walk around with my heart on your sleeve. Don’t sweat it. It’s over now. Our time ran out” You get the drift.
Look I get it. It isn’t cool to like pop punk anymore unless you’re still in high school. I might not ever be able to convince you otherwise; but I truly don’t care. My convictions about what is and isn’t cool don’t hold me back from checking out bands that might be the exception to the “rule.” There can be common ground between what’s cool, and what’s good. This record manages to be both, and those who seek it out will find themselves wrapped up in a seriously great example of why pop punk isn’t lost just yet.

9.0/10.0

-Jesse

written by Jesse