The All-American Rejects album

Album   Released Publisher Rating
When the World Comes Down (Deluxe Version) 2008 DGC/Interscope/Doghouse
Move Along (Bonus Tracks) 2005 Universal Distribution
All-American Rejects (Bonus CD Sampler) 2002
All-American Rejects (Bonus Track) 2002 Dreamworks SKG
Back to the topWhen the World Comes Down (Deluxe Version)
Review by Andrew Leahey, All Music Guide
Released:
December 16, 2008
Label:
DGC/Interscope/Doghouse
Rating:
Styles:
Alternative/Indie Rock
Adult Alternative Pop/Rock
Emo-Pop
The All-American Rejects first left behind the charmingly naïve sounds of their debut for 2005's Move Along, an album that paired emo-pop anthems with spit-shine studio polish. Arriving three years later, When the World Comes Down reprises the same formula that made Move Along a success, from the radio-ready tracks to the use of auxiliary instruments. Strings, orchestral flourishes, and a female choir all beef up these 13 songs, which (at their root) are straightforward pop tunes about heartbreak, heartache, and other cheerless conditions of the cardiac organ. The extra instruments aren't always needed, but they do add an extra layer to the band's songwriting, which isn't nearly as intricate as the accompanying arrangements. "Fallin' Apart" experiments with bouncing piano and bowed strings, "The Wind Blows" finds room to house an entire orchestra, and "Another Heart Calls" pairs Tyson Ritter's vocals with the twangy lilt of the Pierces, whose cameo appearance is a bit odd (a folk duo on an emo album?), but still serves as one of the record's truly unique moments. Elsewhere, producer Eric Valentine paints these tunes with coats of gloss, as if to make the group's four-chord progressions sound more interesting than anything by their likeminded peers. Therein lies the Rejects' main obstacle, as they tend to focus on presentation rather than execution. Of course, When the World Comes Down is nothing if not a commercial record, and these potential singles will undoubtedly cement a space on Clear Channel radio. Discerning fans may demand something new from the band's next effort, however, since this is essentially Move Along with a revised track list. [When the World Comes Down was also released in a double-disc deluxe format with additional demos and bonus content.]
Track # Track Time Composer
1 I Wanna 3:28 All American Rejects Ringtone
2 Fallin' Apart 3:26 All American Rejects Ringtone
3 Damn Girl 3:51 All American Rejects Ringtone
4 Gives You Hell 3:33 All American Rejects Ringtone
5 Mona Lisa 3:14 All American Rejects
6 Breakin' 3:58 All American Rejects Ringtone
7 Another Heart Calls 4:09 All American Rejects Ringtone
8 Real World 4:02 All American Rejects Ringtone
9 Back to Me 4:28 All American Rejects Ringtone
10 Believe 3:28 All American Rejects Ringtone
11 The Wind Blows 4:22 All American Rejects Ringtone
12 (Untitled) 0:30 All American Rejects
13 (Untitled) 2:59 All American Rejects
14 I Wanna (*)(Demo Version) 3:19 All American Rejects
15 Damn Girl (*)(Demo Version) 3:37 All American Rejects
16 Fallin' Apart (*)(Demo Version) 3:34 All American Rejects
17 Mona Lisa (*)(Demo Version) 2:44 All American Rejects
18 Real World (*)(Demo Version) 3:55 All American Rejects
Back to the topMove Along (Bonus Tracks)
Review by Johnny Loftus, All Music Guide
Released:
July 12, 2005
Label:
Universal Distribution
Rating:
Styles:
Emo-Pop
Alternative Pop/Rock
Alternative/Indie Rock
The All American Rejects' effervescent 2003 hit "Swing Swing" sounded like a pop-punk adaptation of Better Than Ezra, and their sophomore effort makes this mix even more apparent. The earnest racket of an outfit like the Get Up Kids is a component in Move Along's sound. But the Rejects blend and sculpt that with keyboards, choirs, pianos -- there's even a classical guitar on "Top of the World" -- and the result is superficial, mid-range pop with appeal for a general audience of casual listeners. Fans of Wakefield, Something Corporate, Switchfoot, and American Hi-Fi should take note. The Rejects rock out a little on "Night Drive," "Dirty Little Secret," and "I'm Waiting" -- the guitars crackle anxiously, and Tyson Ritter and Nick Wheeler's breathy harmonies soar like they mean it. There's also distortion somewhere in "Stab My Back," but it's buried under acoustic guitars, vocal overdubs, and mournful keyboards. Move Along has some memorable hooks, like on the title track or "Change Your Mind." And, living up to its title, it moves along efficiently, usually keeping the pace at a snappy mid-tempo. The songs are also impeccably arranged, even if they're relentlessly processed and some of the instrumentation seems like overkill. (A children's choir? Come on.) In other words, it's easy to like the All American Rejects if you're looking for 21st century mainstream rock that takes very, very few chances but does offer solid melodies and easy to swallow take/break and night/flight rhyme schemes. [This version of the album contains bonus material.]
Track # Track Time Composer
1 Dirty Little Secret 3:13 Ritter, Wheeler Ringtone
2 Stab My Back 3:10 Ritter, Wheeler Ringtone
3 Move Along 4:00 Ritter, Wheeler Ringtone
4 It Ends Tonight 4:04 Ritter, Wheeler Ringtone
5 Change Your Mind 3:40 Ritter, Wheeler Ringtone
6 Night Drive 3:25 Ritter, Wheeler Ringtone
7 11:11 P.M. 3:04 Ritter, Wheeler Ringtone
8 Dance Inside 4:02 Ritter, Wheeler Ringtone
9 Top of the World 3:25 Ritter, Wheeler Ringtone
10 Straitjacket Feeling 3:37 Ritter, Wheeler
11 I'm Waiting 3:37 Ritter, Wheeler Ringtone
12 Can't Take It 2:55 Ritter, Wheeler Ringtone
13 Night Drive (Acoustic)(*) 3:48 Ritter, Wheeler
14 Eyelash Wishes (*) 4:09 Ritter, Wheeler
Back to the topAll-American Rejects (Bonus CD Sampler)
Review by Tom Semioli, All Music Guide
Released:
October 01, 2002
Rating:
Styles:
Alternative/Indie Rock
Emo-Pop
Adult Alternative Pop/Rock
Punk-Pop
Big hooks abound on this forceful debut by power pop whiz kids Nick Wheeler and Tyson Ritter. Though not yet old enough to legally buy an alcoholic drink in the year 2002, All American Rejects are capable songwriters, accomplished vocalists, and skilled instrumentalists. Guitar-driven and underpinned with a humane-sounding drum machine cranking out frenetic backbeats, each cut on this self-titled debut brims with harmonies that recall the early Who and classic Beach Boys. Bolstered by the brash bar band bravado akin to the Replacements, the Goo Goo Dolls, and Fastball in all their ragged glory, All American Rejects passionately render songs about girls, love, self-doubt, and youthful abandon. Cuts such as "Too Far Gone" employ a sympathetic orchestral backdrop, while tracks including "Drive Away," "My Paper Heart," and "One More Sad Song" prove that loud guitars and a broken heart make great rock & roll. A talented band destined for great things, All American Rejects are primed to be embraced by the masses. [Also available with a bonus CD sampler containing the tracks "Cigarette Song," "1.21 Gigawatts," "Certain Doom," "Won't Be the First Time," "Left Behind," and "Don't Hate Me."]
Track # Track Time Composer
1 My Paper Heart 3:50 All American Rejects Ringtone
2 Your Star 4:23 All American Rejects
3 Swing, Swing 3:54 All American Rejects Ringtone
4 Time Stands Still 3:32 All American Rejects Ringtone
5 One More Sad Song 3:05 All American Rejects
6 Why Worry 4:18 All American Rejects
7 Don't Leave Me 3:30 All American Rejects
8 Too Far Gone 4:07 All American Rejects
9 Drive Away 3:02 All American Rejects
10 Happy Endings 4:27 All American Rejects
11 The Last Song 5:00 All American Rejects Ringtone
12 The Cigarette Song (*) 3:35 All American Rejects
13 1.21 Gigawatts (*) 2:54 N/A
14 Certain Doom (*) 3:57 Sunday Driver
15 Won't Be the First Time (*) 3:00 As Friends Rust, Moyal
16 Left Behind (*) 3:12 N/A
17 Don't Hate Me (*) 2:53 N/A
Back to the topAll-American Rejects (Bonus Track)
Review by Tom Semioli, All Music Guide
Released:
October 01, 2002
Label:
Dreamworks SKG
Rating:
Styles:
Emo-Pop
Alternative/Indie Rock
Adult Alternative Pop/Rock
Punk-Pop
Big hooks abound on the forceful debut by power pop whiz kids Nick Wheeler and Tyson Ritter. Though not yet old enough to legally buy an alcoholic drink in the year 2002, the All-American Rejects are capable songwriters, accomplished vocalists, and skilled instrumentalists. Guitar-driven and underpinned with a humane-sounding drum machine cranking out frenetic backbeats, each cut on their self-titled debut brims with harmonies that recall the early Who and classic Beach Boys. Bolstered by the brash bar band bravado akin to the Replacements, the Goo Goo Dolls, and Fastball in all their ragged glory, the All-American Rejects passionately render songs about girls, love, self-doubt, and youthful abandon. Cuts such as "Too Far Gone" employ a sympathetic orchestral backdrop, while tracks including "Drive Away," "My Paper Heart," and "One More Sad Song" prove that loud guitars and a broken heart make great rock & roll. A talented band destined for great things, the All-American Rejects are primed to be embraced by the masses. [The British edition of this album features an acoustic version of "The Cigarette Song" as a bonus track.]
Track # Track Time Composer
1 My Paper Heart 3:48 All American Rejects Ringtone
2 Your Star 4:20 All American Rejects
3 Swing, Swing 3:53 All American Rejects Ringtone
4 Time Stands Still 3:30 All American Rejects Ringtone
5 One More Sad Song 3:03 All American Rejects
6 Why Worry 4:16 All American Rejects
7 Don't Leave Me 3:28 All American Rejects
8 Too Far Gone 4:05 All American Rejects
9 Drive Away 3:00 All American Rejects
10 Happy Endings 4:24 All American Rejects
11 The Last Song 5:01 All American Rejects Ringtone
12 The Cigarette Song (Acoustic)(*) 3:35 All American Rejects
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