I-Empire
by Angels and Airwaves
  • Record Label: Geffen
  • Release Date: Nov 6, 2007
Metascore
54

Mixed or average reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 13
  3. Negative: 2 out of 13
  1. AllMusic
    60
    I-Empire is an easier record to like than "We Don't Need to Whisper," as it marks a very small, very tentative progression toward DeLonge realizing that he can expand his sonic and emotional horizons without abandoning the pop songcraft that remains his greatest strength
  2. Alternative Press
    50
    Between the bloated song lengths and repetitive arrangements, What Angels & Airwaves really need for LP3 is an editor. [Dec 2007, p.184]
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  3. Amazon.com
    80
    For all its cathartic lyrics, I-Empire is actually packed with dazzling, fast-moving songs, like 'Everything's Magic' and 'Sirens,' that bring together U2's widescreen guitar flights with tuneful, straightforward punk melodies.
  5. Billboard
    80
    I-Empire is a sweeping conceptual piece with a message as big as its sound and just a bit more enigmatic.
  6. Blender
    30
    This album, the second from Angels and Airwaves, is thick with U2-aping major-chord bluster and well-meaning meaninglessness.
  7. musicOMH.com
    40
    Tom DeLonge does have talent, and maybe one day he'll make an album that deserves all his self-proclaimed hype. This, however, isn't it.
  8. New Musical Express (NME)
    30
    Angels & Airwaves labour under the illusion that "mature" equals "worthwhile;" and that means long, directionless songs swathed in echo pedals and factory-set keyboards.
  9. NOW Magazine
    40
    While the production displays a genuine level of talent, including excellent drummer Atom Willard, just about every song teases with potential before going absolutely nowhere.
  10. PopMatters
    70
    Where "Whisper" came off like an ego-driven side project, I-Empire paints the Angels as a fully-fledged band.
  11. Q Magazine
    40
    I-Empire is so in thrall to Edge's guitar sound circa 1984 it could almost be the work of a /u2 tribute band. [Dec 2007, p.112]
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  12. Rolling Stone
    50
    The results so far: mixed. I-Empire is full of big, faintly Eighties-sounding chiming choruses and arms-outstretched melodies, and DeLonge deploys the signposts of significance all over.
  13. Spin
    50
    I-Empire still makes you wonder what constituency DeLonge hopes to attract with such an anti-fun platform. [Dec 2007, p.112]
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  14. The A.V. Club
    75
    'Magic' isn't the sole highlight: 'Sirens,' an earnest new-wave throwback, may even encourage DeLonge's sternest critics to sing along.

Awards & Rankings

61
#61 Most Discussed Album of 2007
60
#60 Most Shared Album of 2007

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 101 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 84 out of 101
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 101
  3. Negative: 14 out of 101
  1. OmriE
    May 10, 2008
    10
    You can sence this albums marks the true nature of angels, The epicness and overall effects make this band sound unique.
  2. LiamS.
    Nov 22, 2007
    9
    Excellent album, much improved from "We Don't Need To Whisper", beautifully written music
  3. KaiT.
    Nov 7, 2007
    8
    it more focused and less indulgant than WDNTW, but im still waiting for an AVA album that will blow me away. this is a good step forward tho
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