All Time Low - 'Damned If I Do Ya (Damned If I Don't)'
Look at this picture. See matey at the front there? See his snarky expression? That's the pop punk face. That facial arrangement alone, right there, defines how the band sound. If you didn't know what kind of band All Time Low were, and the name wasn't already a pretty huge clue, this picture would be all anyone would ever need to work it out.
That's not a criticism, by the way, everyone does it. Metal bands do that "GAAAHHH! SATAN HAS NAILED MY FOOT TO A MIGHTY HEDGEHOG!" face, girlbands suck imaginary lollipops, rappers furrow their brows like they're trying to work out the square root of mulligatawny soup, indie bands stare blearily as if they've been up all night finishing a history essay and pop punk bands pull that kind of quizzical half-sneer.
It's like a trademark or something. It says: "dude, chillax! I'm, like, ironic and junk? Even the stuff I care about, I DON'T care about, yeah?"
It's up to you to decide whether you care about that or not.
()
Now, as ATL are a pop punk band, you can't apply the normal rules of critical thought to their work. They are not here to break new sonic ground. They do not exist to say things that you have never heard before. They are all about the FUN and the PARTYING and the GIRLS, and the GIRLS and the PARTYING and the FUN.
So, if I was to mention the enormous list of songs which this owes its existence to, it'd be missing the point. There's only a tiny gene pool of anthemic sugary rock riffs, only so many bubblegum choruses. 'Buddy Holly' or 'Stacey's Mom' or 'Girl All The Bad Boys Want' may have been released first, but 'Damned If I Do Ya' is only taking on that fine frat-pop tradition and keeping it alive. It's the refreshed plastic beaker of unspeakable punch at the house party, rather than the fine wine at the swanky restaurant. Some formulas do not require tinkering.
There is, in case you are wondering, a 'music reviewer face', you should see it. It's kind of like...well...actually, best if you don't.
Download: Out now
CD Released: December 7th
Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú Music page
(Fraser McAlpine)
Comment number 1.
At 3rd Dec 2009, harrythedog10 wrote:Unoriginal and dull, nothing exciting or interesting here. Which means it should be a hit.
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Comment number 2.
At 4th Dec 2009, pinkparadox wrote:Forget about mr Snarky in front, the guy on the left is *gorgeous*!
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Comment number 3.
At 4th Dec 2009, harrythedog10 wrote:I'm sure the guy is gorgeous but is the song any good?
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Comment number 4.
At 5th Dec 2009, pinkparadox wrote:Harry, I think it's quite catchy, actually.
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Comment number 5.
At 7th Jul 2010, amy wrote:AMAZING SONG, AMAZING BAND, ORIGINAL,CREATIVE, INSPIRING, BEAUTIFUL SOUNDS COME FROM THESE TALENTED HUMANS :) in my very well ATL exposed opinion.
ATL FTW!
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