All-American Rejects

Oklaholma's All-American Rejects started out as just vocalist and bassist Tyson Ritter and guitarist Nick Wheeler, with a synthesized drum beat. After adding an actual drummer and second guitarist, the band were signed to major label Dreamworks. Because they have toured with pop-punk bands, played on the Warped Tour, and sort of look like pop-punk pretty boys with their vintage t's and ripped jeans, the All-American Rejects have mostly been shoved into the "generic pop-punk band" box. But after seeing their CD on sale and picking it up impulsively for the March Break, it turns out the All-American Rejects are really more of an indie pop band with very little in common with pop-punk.

Same Girl, New Songs [EP] (2001) 7 Thumbs Up

This 5 song EP was put out by the band themselves when they were still a two-piece. Despite the fact that the band claim to have grown up listening to heavy metal, this is too poppy to even be pop-punk. The songs are fun if you're in a pop mood, albeit very underproduced and fairly predictable. The lyrics are nothing special - typical songs about relationship problems with very basic lyrics. "I know I'm young, she's smart, I'm dumb?" C'mon, even emo bands can do better than this! The band sounds very inexperienced, and vocalist Tyson Ritter sounds scared to death of being recorded. Not bad for a pop record, but it leaves you wanting something more.

The All-American Rejects (2002) 7 Thumbs Up

After generating hype while touring up and down the country, the All-American Rejects were picked up by indie label Doghouse Records, and put out a self-titled CD. Within months of the CD's release, they were signed to major label Dreamworks (recently bought out by Universal), who rereleased the self-titled on their own label. So this is not only AAR's indie debut, but also their major label debut. They've had some successful singles off this one, such as "Swing, Swing," "My Paper Heart," "Last Song," and "Time Stands Still," and have garnered the typical teeneybopper fanbase.

Let's get things straight, though. This CD is really nothing special. The lyrics are cliche sappy "oh my girlfriend left me" stuff, and never deviate from that style of songwriting. It's a pop record - there's no rock or punk in this at all. Whether that's a good or bad thing is up to you. It's better than the average pop record, I'll say that, but if you want to rock out, even pop-punk does a better job than this CD. It's not bad when you're in a bouncy pop mood, but whenever I listen to the All-American Rejects, I feel like some key ingredient is seriously missing. Their music is okay, but doesn't quite satisfy. I'm not sure if it's because they're still a young band, or because I just don't like their genre of music. Either way, if you like pop or really poppy punk/emo, you will probably think this CD is great. Personally, though, I was underwhelmed.

Move Along (2005) 4 Thumbs Up

I was flipping through a magazine article about the upcoming closing of legendary New York City punk club CBGBs, where various musicians gave their opinions on the club. One of the members of this band proceeded to mouth off about how the club was too old, and should be closed, even though he had never been there himself. That basically sums up this band. I once thought the most harmful thing they could do was make faintly catchy yet ultimately forgettable emo/pop-punk, but apparantly, they're also good at being pompous jackasses unaware that their 15 minutes of fame are almost up.

Oh, the album is also bland and predictable.

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