California
by blink-182
  • Record Label: BMG
  • Release Date: Jul 1, 2016
User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 141 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 102 out of 141
  2. Mixed: 32 out of 141
  3. Negative: 7 out of 141
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  1. dpaudiophile
    Jul 5, 2016
    4
    Definitely not as bad as I thought it would be. Matt Skiba really adds some nice harmonies, and it's refreshing to hear that the production isn't totally over-done. In the end though, there are a couple good songs here, but most are epic, whiny songs about cliche' teen issues, and location based superficialities. The kinda-maturing, but not really at all Blink-182 (from 2003) is back! andDefinitely not as bad as I thought it would be. Matt Skiba really adds some nice harmonies, and it's refreshing to hear that the production isn't totally over-done. In the end though, there are a couple good songs here, but most are epic, whiny songs about cliche' teen issues, and location based superficialities. The kinda-maturing, but not really at all Blink-182 (from 2003) is back! and they've got not that much to say, so you better listen for a little bit I guess...

    favorite tracks, "Cynical" | "The Only Thing That Matters" | " Rabbit Hole"    … Expand
  2. Danm95VFF
    Jul 21, 2016
    5
    I wasn't too impressed with this album if I'm honest. I cringed at every comment I read on the band's social media comparing post-DeLonge Blink to +44, and wanted to defend the band so badly, but his lack of presence is definitely felt on this album. Sure, you can complain that with DeLonge still in the band they started sounding too much like Angels and Airwaves, but now that they'reI wasn't too impressed with this album if I'm honest. I cringed at every comment I read on the band's social media comparing post-DeLonge Blink to +44, and wanted to defend the band so badly, but his lack of presence is definitely felt on this album. Sure, you can complain that with DeLonge still in the band they started sounding too much like Angels and Airwaves, but now that they're without him, Mark and Travis have allowed them to become suckered into production that is too commercial even for them. Too many woahs, woos and naahs than can be recommended for inclusion on any intentionally commerical release, as well as *gasp* outside writers!!!!???!!! (Patrick Stump, for example, is credited for participating in two of the songs) as well as choruses that mainly fall kinda flat, especially compared to the likes of Enema of the State. I didn't want Delonge's replacement to sound too much like DeLonge, but instead he sounds a bit too similar to Hoppus, so you don't get that same high/low dynamic that made Blink as well as other multi-vocalist bands so great. Thankfully Travis proves to be a saving grace with his dynamic energetic drummimg, and there are serviceable Blink tracks to be found (e.g. Bored to Death, Los Angeles and No Future). Sadly, this still pales considerably in comparison to their best work,… Expand
  3. brette
    Jul 2, 2016
    5
    Firstly, I've loved Blink for 15 years and every album they've ever made but I have to say this album is slightly disappointing.While the album contains catchy hooks and riffs reminsicent of 1999's "Enema of the State", the majority of the songs seem under developed. The lyrics seem rushed and the empty space between melodies are often filled with "woah-oh's" and/or "na na's" that getFirstly, I've loved Blink for 15 years and every album they've ever made but I have to say this album is slightly disappointing.While the album contains catchy hooks and riffs reminsicent of 1999's "Enema of the State", the majority of the songs seem under developed. The lyrics seem rushed and the empty space between melodies are often filled with "woah-oh's" and/or "na na's" that get easily lost in the mix and don't stand out like the "na na's" in "All The Small Things". Lyrics like "I can't sleep/'cause what if I dream/of going back to San Diego" in "San Diego" and "I'm not sure what I said/ I feel dumb and a long night's coming" in "Kings of the Weekend" are by no means well developed lyrics. Not that Tom and Mark were ever savants in the lyric writing department, but when these lyrics are paired with the lazy melodies Mark sings on the record, the lyrics come off as just as lazy. Not to mention most of the lyrics entail some sort of teen-angst or clear link to teenage life, which was once a traditional Blink-182 characteristic now comes off as juvenile and desperate. Especially after fans have heard their lyrical potential on the “Dogs Eating Dogs” EP, the “Neighbourhoods” album, and of course the self titled album.The band went with well known producer John Feldmann of Goldfinger who actually has quite an impressive resume for producing and writing credits, however its important to note that he has recently produced and cowritten the last two 5 Seconds of Summer albums, the last two All Time Low records, and the comeback Good Charlotte album just to name a few, which does not bode well for the classic pop-punk sounds produced by Jerry Finn on "Enema of the State" and "Take Off Your Pants and Jacket". Its obvious that Feldmann had a strong influence on the album as he almost seems like the 4th member of the band.Tracks like "Sober" and "Teenage Satellites" don't reflect the classic Blink that everyone once loved and seems like a desperate attempt to attract new fans who love a catchy pop-rock song, much like All Time Low and 5 Seconds of Summer tracks. While "She's Out of Her Mind" sounds almost like it could've lived on "Enema" and the punk beats from Travis on "Rabbit Hole" and "Cynical" which also reflect some of the same punk riffs and melodies that old fans can jump on board with, there just aren't enough of these tracks. Two thirds of the album are filled with Feldmann-like average pop-rock radio tracks while the songs with the most potential like "Brohemian Rhapsody" and "Built This Pool" are cut short for the sake of a mediocre dick joke which I’m sure are driving old Blink fans absolutely nuts at such a tease. However, I must say the album gains points for the fact that the band went back to their potty humour roots that give "Happy Holidays You Bastard" and “Family Reunion” fans a little treat.The problem with the album is that despite what many people say about Tom, his lack of presence is heavily felt. Travis seems to get a little lost at points often doing drum rolls and fills at a seemingly desperate attempt to make the tracks more diverse than every pop rock song on the radio today. If you line up "Sober" with any popular pop-country song that's relevant today, you'll see the obvious similarities in vocal melodies, rhyming lyrics and chord progression, which makes me cringe.
    While Matt's vocals and guitar playing still fit nicely into the mold, his song writing abilities are not nearly as strong as Tom's and it shows. Mark will always be a solid song writer, but what took Blink songs to the next level above +44 and Angels and Airwaves songs was the collaboration and contrast between Tom and Mark's vocals and song writing styles. Listen to "Neighbourhoods" after listening to "California" and the nostalgia almost hits you in the face once you hear the way Tom's vocal melodies and riffs fit like a puzzle with Mark and Travis. I'm not saying Matt's presence sticks out like a sore thumb, he actually does a great job of not trying to fill the Tom void and replicate what Tom had done in the past, but the difference is Matt has never written a hit and Alkaline Trio was never a particularly strong band in the pop-punk world to begin with, forcing the tracks on this record to get a little lost and like I said, underdeveloped. Its most prevalent with his riff in "Bored to Death" which is essentially ripped off of Tom's "Adam's Song" riff, and then recycled yet again in "San Diego" hoping nobody would notice.I think its clear that what Blink was going for on this record was to remain relevant while also remaining true to their old fans while at the same time attracting new fans. As Mark mentions: "It's a long way back from 17..." which is probably the most significant statement on the record. But to go with a completely new producer who apparently told Mark to just go into the vocal booth and write lyrics even if he didn't feel inspired to write may not be the best choice for a comeback album.    … Expand
  4. Duracell410
    Jul 2, 2016
    4
    Gone are the days of any real punk roots - this is full-blown pop now.
    New sound - you can hardly hear Matt's guitars under the heavy production, although there's nothing cool happening there anyway.
    Largely uninspired lyrics, and without listening to it again (so I may be wrong), there's some form of loud "woah" or "oh oh oh" or "na na na" in literally every track. Highlights are    Gone are the days of any real punk roots - this is full-blown pop now.
    New sound - you can hardly hear Matt's guitars under the heavy production, although there's nothing cool happening there anyway.
    Largely uninspired lyrics, and without listening to it again (so I may be wrong), there's some form of loud "woah" or "oh oh oh" or "na na na" in literally every track.

    Highlights are Matt Skiba's vocals and obviously, Travis' impressive drumming (which comes out with a bang in the first track - probably the best track on the whole record).    … Expand
  5. bobfrumacct
    Jul 1, 2016
    4
    What else can I say about this album other than generic? I've been a huge blink-182 fan since I was a kid. From the Flyswatter demo all the way to self titled. Taking a brief break for +44 and AvA advancing as musical artist's and experimenting with new things. When your heart stops beating was phenomenal showing off some of Mark's lyrical writing skills along with song composition. TomWhat else can I say about this album other than generic? I've been a huge blink-182 fan since I was a kid. From the Flyswatter demo all the way to self titled. Taking a brief break for +44 and AvA advancing as musical artist's and experimenting with new things. When your heart stops beating was phenomenal showing off some of Mark's lyrical writing skills along with song composition. Tom DeLonge's WDNTW really showed off what Tom can do with new equipment and a whole new set of members to drive his ego to the next level. When they returned for the previous album Neighborhoods they still brought back that matured sound they grew and evolved to be. California is a huge regression in my opinion. Mark writes so bland and generic. Everything is super catchy but I feel it lacks some depth. Instead of continuing in the direction of self-titled, they're really trying to bring back that "old blink sound" and I think its completely unnecessary. The 2 joke tracks are cringe worthy from a bunch of dudes in their 40's. Why are we going back to that "old sound". Blink used to speak about how they were maturing their sound and moving in a more serious direction, and it worked. Going backwards and following this formula where its Mark->Skiba->Mark->Skiba, rinse and repeat is just terrible. Such a huge disappointment for a huge fan. Blink isn't Blink without Tom, it's just a cover band. If this was a band with more members I wouldn't be so torn up, but they're a 3 piece and had a consistent lineup for over 10 years. RIP Blink.… Expand
  6. rjmacready
    Dec 6, 2020
    6
    Hands-down, the weakest studio album "Blink-182" has released. I'm not usually the type to whine about "missing band members", but man...can you feel Tom DeLonge's absence on this one...

    At least the album after this attempts to carve its own identity, as opposed to palely imitating former glories. Not a single memorable song in the batch (with the possible exception of "Home is Such a    Hands-down, the weakest studio album "Blink-182" has released. I'm not usually the type to whine about "missing band members", but man...can you feel Tom DeLonge's absence on this one...

    At least the album after this attempts to carve its own identity, as opposed to palely imitating former glories. Not a single memorable song in the batch (with the possible exception of "Home is Such a Lonely Place", which is at least a half-decent ballad). And did the world REALLY need yet another album with the word "California" or one of its derivates in the title?    … Expand
  7. than_Q
    Aug 15, 2016
    6
    On no terms am I against this album, I personally think that it's a well written love letter to the original style and lineup that Blink-182 presented to the world in it's original day... except, it certainly doesn't feel like they've put their heart and soul into this album, as most people would expect, I just simply don't feet completely satisfied. The album has a huge amount ofOn no terms am I against this album, I personally think that it's a well written love letter to the original style and lineup that Blink-182 presented to the world in it's original day... except, it certainly doesn't feel like they've put their heart and soul into this album, as most people would expect, I just simply don't feet completely satisfied. The album has a huge amount of highlights but for every good song, there's just one that is below the bar and it's a serious shame that it simply couldn't have been as good as everyone wanted it to be.

    For the songs that I do like, including the feature song, bored to death, I can feel the passion and pure love for the album that I wanted to feel when I bought it, and I certainly loved the introduction song, 'cynical', and just created such an intense and fast-paced tone for the rest of the album and I love it. Songs like 'home is such a lonely place', 'left alone', and 'California' are highlights for me, as they're catchy, fun, and overall great, and I wish there was more of it, and there just simply isn't enough to satisfy my expectations.

    And now for the negative aspect of the album. All the songs sound very similar to each other, I mean, there's different tempos and reorganisation of notes, but I knew from the minute I heard the song 'out of her mind' (pretty cliche song and topic) it sounded almost identical to 'bored to death' the track right before it. When you see how many songs are on the album, 16 to be exact, you would expect something lengthy and full, but most of the songs feel hollow and empty and after I had my first listen to the album I knew that I had been lying down in bed listening to the album for a while, it certainly didn't feel like a 40(?) minute album.

    Overall, it certainly isn't bad, but I expected more from such a critically acclaimed band, I feel let down and disappointed by many of the songs, but I suppose that it just makes all the other great songs even better, nonetheless, I wish that this was better (I also wish that Tom DeLonge had stayed because I can't stand Matt Skiba), but I do need to be grateful that it isn't complete trash like most comeback albums would be. I would recommend this to any hardcore fan, but regular music enthusiasts should be wary and maybe consider saving that $20 note in their back pocket unless you feel as though you really want to listen to an okay-ish album.    … Expand
  8. WhiskeyStories
    May 23, 2017
    5
    While it is an enjoyable album, California feels very hollow and generic. One of my favourite bands is Blink 182, so I was quite disappointed in this album. After Tom left the group, it felt like all the emotion and sentimentality left with him. Tom and Mark really complimented each other, which is best heard in my opinion on Enema of the State, which manages to be both extremely fun andWhile it is an enjoyable album, California feels very hollow and generic. One of my favourite bands is Blink 182, so I was quite disappointed in this album. After Tom left the group, it felt like all the emotion and sentimentality left with him. Tom and Mark really complimented each other, which is best heard in my opinion on Enema of the State, which manages to be both extremely fun and able to pack an emotional punch at the same time. While Matt Skiba is a great replacement, I found California lacking in originality and trying way too hard to bring back an early 2000s nostalgia, not really moving forward, Favourite tracks: Bored to Death and Misery (from the deluxe edition)… Expand
  9. Oshikaru-Sensei
    Jul 27, 2016
    6
    Nothing on this album is of poor quality, it just simply lacks originality. It's something nice to have in the background, or an easy way to hear some simple tunes, but it doesn't bring anything new to the table.

    Overall, it just feels like it was over-produced. There's a lot of modern/popular musical gimmicks, lots of "nah-nah-nah's" and repetition of words/phrases, making it feel    Nothing on this album is of poor quality, it just simply lacks originality. It's something nice to have in the background, or an easy way to hear some simple tunes, but it doesn't bring anything new to the table.

    Overall, it just feels like it was over-produced. There's a lot of modern/popular musical gimmicks, lots of "nah-nah-nah's" and repetition of words/phrases, making it feel churned out by some big studio rather than that garage band feel Blink-182 had in the past, trying radically different themes and sounds per album.

    I would've had a short album with really powerful songs then something that feels like quantity over quality. Cynical was such a powerful start to the album, has a very dark Neighborhoods feel, but everything afterward lacks that intensity and heart.

    I would recommend it, but only if you're looking for music to waste some time with. It's not something to analyze, as it starts to wear on you pretty fast.    … Expand
  10. TheArchetypes
    Sep 9, 2016
    6
    Nothing on this album is of poor quality, it just simply lacks originality. It's something nice to have in the background, or an easy way to hear some simple tunes, but it doesn't bring anything new to the table. Overall, it just feels like it was over-produced. There's a lot of modern/popular musical gimmicks, lots of "nah-nah-nah's" and repetition of words/phrases, making it feel churnedNothing on this album is of poor quality, it just simply lacks originality. It's something nice to have in the background, or an easy way to hear some simple tunes, but it doesn't bring anything new to the table. Overall, it just feels like it was over-produced. There's a lot of modern/popular musical gimmicks, lots of "nah-nah-nah's" and repetition of words/phrases, making it feel churned out by some big studio rather than that garage band feel that the band had in the past, trying radically different themes and sounds per album.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

33
#33 Most Discussed Album of 2016

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
63

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. Classic Rock Magazine
    Aug 10, 2016
    80
    California collects 14 hook-drenched punk-pop barnstormers that both reflect nostalgically on their youthful vigours (Bored To Death, Kings Of The Weekend, San Diego) and revisit them impressively (Teenage Satellites, No Future).
    Read full review
  2. Punknews.org (Staff)
    Jul 11, 2016
    70
    California isn’t a perfect record, nor does it need to be. It displays a band getting back on the right page with great energy yet struggling a bit to find equilibrium.
    Read full review
  3. Pitchfork
    Jul 6, 2016
    55
    The earnest California takes plenty of time to sprawl out, from wound-licking power ballads (“Home Is Such a Lonely Place,” “Hey I’m Sorry”) to high-shine navel-gazings that hew closely to past hits.
    Read full review
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