Blink-182 – California • Page 3

I love California but I also prefer Untitled by a long shot. I think it was where the band was at that point in time, the band definitely wasn't in the same headspace as when they were making fun blink, and it felt like the right record for them to make. And I was one of those people that would laugh when people wanted another Enema or something, but I really appreciate the classic blink sound of this album. But tone-wise it also has hints of the Untitled. I don't think they can top Untitled, and Neighborhoods proved they couldn't with that lineup. That was definitely their peak, and if that had been it, it was a good record to go out on.

Now I'm very excited to see what this lineup produces on successive records. It will be really interesting when they can write with more freedom and not have to worry so much about making a blink record, cause they definitely had to have some familiarity to this album to get Matt into the band and have him accepted by the fans. I can't put this above Dude Ranch or Untitled but right now it feels like my third favorite blink record, which is quite an achievement I think.

 

I am so happy when Blink threads get hijacked by Alk3 fans haha.

I think every blink album is 30-40% weaklings, so this fits in with all of them. I get confused by the hate it's getting, even though I understand a lot of it is people who think Tom was the sound of blink.

 

Exactly haha

 

I don't think the title track is bad at all

 

No, I think it's great.

 

Didn't realize people called 2003 album untitled and not self-titled. They have a song called untitled though...

 

Mark has stated that the album is officially untitled.

Plus this from the 2013 anniversary shows:

 

I echo this statement, other than the 'try again' part. I have two buddies who have been obsessed with Alkaline Trio for 15+ years, even have their tattoos. I tried getting into them in the early 2000s but just didn't seem to enjoy them. Then when I started listening to Bayside in 2005, everyone compared them to Alkaline Trio, so I went back and listened again and still didn't care for them.

 

To me, this album sounds like the bridge between TOYPAJ and the untitled album.

 

I listen to "Sober" the most, by far. Such a catchy, fun song, and that's all I want from Blink.

 

the main takeaway from this discussion is that from here to infirmary should not be skipped. Ever.

 

Well it's Feldman producing so you know it's going to be glossy,poppy, and catchy as hell but do I think that's a good thing? Not really. I was hoping for something that would be a mix of Crimson meets Untitled from these guys when Skiba first entered but I always knew that was probably not happening lol.

Also some songs take me out since there's musical parts identical to past songs. For example: Travis hi-hat beat on "Kings of the Weekend" immediately sound like "After Midnight".

If they do another record with Skiba, I hope they mix it up a little and try some more experimental songwriting. I dig songs like "Los Angeles" and "Left Alone" because it doesn't sound like every other song on the record.

 

That and Crimson are probably my top two Alk3 records.

 

Also noticed the similarities between After Midnight and Kings of the Weekend. Kings of the Weekend easily being the worst song on this album imo.

 

I love the song musically and Skiba's "here we goooooooo" but the lyrics are so so so bad. These guys are in their 40's. With the right lyrics and tweaks to the song, this could have been a highlight or single IMO.

 

Haha that's exactly what I wrote in the last paragraph haha

 

"California" is probably my favorite song on here. Ha

 

It's not fast pop punk, it's bad!!!!

 

Figures that that's the one Martin Johnson co-wrote.

 

I like that song a lot too. It really bugs me how half the people on here dislike any song that's even a little different from the Blink formula, and the other half don't like this album because it's not adventurous enough. There is nothing they could have done that wouldn't have resulted in tons of complaints.

 

I enjoy the record. I think there's a 10-track version that's fucking bulletproof. I also think the songwriting isn't that interesting for the most part, but the melodies are great and I like the production. It's a solid summer album, which is pretty much exactly what I wanted.

 

Yep, same on all counts. I have it at 12 tracks. Have you liked the band's previous work?

 

I have always enjoyed them, but never been a die hard. My brother liked them, so I heard a lot of their stuff as a kid. I've got a soft spot for it from that.

Which songs did you cut?

 

Los Angeles, No Future, Rabbit Hole, and Brohemian Rhapsody. What about you?

 

Los Angeles is a favorite

I never really skip songs, always listen to albums as a whole.