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

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  1. Onlylito
    Feb 1, 2021
    10
    Simplemente un álbum increíble, de lejos el mejor trabajo que han hecho en años
  2. notnax
    Jul 31, 2019
    7
    first time i listen to this album I thought it was a masterpiece, after a few listens more i realized it was not that great but it still there are some songs that got me every time i listen to them.
    Secret Crowds will always be an awesome anthem to sing along in the car, the acoustic version of the gift is awful
  3. lee97LP
    Jun 29, 2018
    9
    A real work off Art. Secret crowds really puts out the song of togetherness and was for the fans that supported him through post blink but can also be a love song to someone you love.

    Everything's Magic a catchy beat with some very powerful lyrics as most AVA songs are. Rite of spring about his childhood how he's always wanted too be a rockstar which after hard work he got there,    A real work off Art. Secret crowds really puts out the song of togetherness and was for the fans that supported him through post blink but can also be a love song to someone you love.

    Everything's Magic a catchy beat with some very powerful lyrics as most AVA songs are.

    Rite of spring about his childhood how he's always wanted too be a rockstar which after hard work he got there, sends the message of always work hard and do anything you do honestly and not just because it's cool.

    Sirens is also a really neat song, the rest of the songs are also pretty good and have a spacey vibe to them.

    People who say they sound like U2 clearly have no idea about music, it's the equivalent of saying Sum 41 Sound like Anti Flag. It's completely stupid.    … Expand
  4. Stoopy
    Aug 24, 2013
    7
    Tom DeLonge is a defining artist to this centuries punk culture. A touching soothing album leaving you in oar with his voice and surprisingly catchy electronic tunes. An effort which isn't perfection but elements such as Secret Crowds or Everything's Magic proves that sometimes simplicity in music can create the greatest of songs.
  5. axelkoch
    Aug 12, 2012
    9
    Beautifully written and mind-blowing wonderful. The album is actually very simply made. Long songs, not much lyrics and this magical feeling that regrettably so many bands can give us. AVA is one of them and made another great album, a bit away from being perfect but really, really good! Wonderful and inspiring songs with the unique voice of Tom DeLonge make this album so good. I couldn'tBeautifully written and mind-blowing wonderful. The album is actually very simply made. Long songs, not much lyrics and this magical feeling that regrettably so many bands can give us. AVA is one of them and made another great album, a bit away from being perfect but really, really good! Wonderful and inspiring songs with the unique voice of Tom DeLonge make this album so good. I couldn't say it's better than WDNTW but it's definitely not worse - it's also a fantastic album that gives me chills everytime I hear it :)… Expand
  6. Terg
    May 5, 2012
    10
    AWESOME! Their best album. Call To Arms, Rite of Spring, Secret Crowds, AW MAN they're ALL great songs! Tom sounds so awesome on this. Of course the rest of the band does too, but Tom's voice is like......awesomely different than on WDNTW.
  7. EPIXMAN15
    Nov 26, 2011
    9
    Some hardcore punks might be disappointed but I honestly like the sound and its message, it really speaks to me and has meaning though I wish that the sound hadn't influenced the sound of the new Blink 182 album some much.
  8. SamK.
    Mar 10, 2009
    0
    Tom Delonge is hardly the musical god he thinks he is. This is not a revolution, it's pure revulsion.
  9. RetroS
    Oct 2, 2008
    10
    One of the greatest albums of all time! Something Delonge can truly be proud of!
  10. TWS2
    May 19, 2008
    9
    I was shocked by how appealing this album is. Derivative, pretentious, overlong: yes. Ambitious, cohesive and HOOKY AS HELL - YES, YES, YES. I'm playing it all the time. If there was still such a thing as pop radio, this album would be all over it. It's more than a guilty pleasure -- it's guilty bliss !!
  11. 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.
  12. PunkrockSuperstar
    Feb 27, 2008
    10
    This is a big step up from their debut. As Anthemic, spacey, catchy as the first album, only this time they add a lyrical positivity, and upbeat feel to proceedings.
  13. ChuckyD.
    Jan 27, 2008
    0
    Please, somebody make him stop.
  14. MR*DRILLER
    Jan 27, 2008
    10
    Simply one of the best albums I've heard in ages. Kinda liked the first album - bur this one blows it away! Melodic, great song structures... love the guitar sound. A great album that makes you feel GOOD when you listen to it! I'm really looking forward to album number 3! Keep knocking out the tunes guys!
  15. TobiasC.
    Jan 19, 2008
    0
    terrible, self-indulgent, ego-maniacal wanking
  16. upielL.
    Dec 26, 2007
    10
    The Great album... awesome...
  17. JakeM
    Dec 19, 2007
    6
    Better than their first album but they still have a lot of work to do if they want to be a good rock/punk/pop/whatever band.
  18. MicheleH
    Dec 13, 2007
    8
    Once you get used to DeLonge's misfitting vocals, the songs are simply amazing. Don't miss "Call to Arms" or "Everything's Magic."
  19. Ernestoc.
    Dec 9, 2007
    9
    My vote is n9 cuz i think this work can't be better than wdntw...However it shows to the world what kinda musician t.delonge is
  20. MitchB.
    Dec 9, 2007
    1
    crap. i quite liked the first album but this is unfortunately shit. and by shit i mean very big shit
  21. MarkF.
    Dec 5, 2007
    10
    I cannot understand the mixed reviews for this album, but I guess this is why music is so personal. I absolutely love this. It's the first album out of over 1600 that I've collected over 40 years where every track rates 5/5 in my book. I think it's amazing and uplifting.
  22. RichR.
    Dec 2, 2007
    10
    I think Blink 182, especially on their last few albums, were about the best American band out there. Great songs and superb musicianship are the reasons. This new band is great, too, but a lot different. I miss some of the humor of Blink, but I think Tom is a fantastic writer and guitar player. He's earnest and honest, and anyone with those qualities is going to take a lot of crap in I think Blink 182, especially on their last few albums, were about the best American band out there. Great songs and superb musicianship are the reasons. This new band is great, too, but a lot different. I miss some of the humor of Blink, but I think Tom is a fantastic writer and guitar player. He's earnest and honest, and anyone with those qualities is going to take a lot of crap in our cynical age. So far, it seems like he can take it, and I'm glad.… Expand
  23. BigT
    Nov 22, 2007
    10
    Great album.
  24. LiamS.
    Nov 22, 2007
    9
    Excellent album, much improved from "We Don't Need To Whisper", beautifully written music
  25. DavidW.
    Nov 14, 2007
    10
    its the best album in the last 18 months
  26. BobDole
    Nov 14, 2007
    1
    Just as horrendous as the last Angels album, a major disappointment. Tom is right to think that a mature record can sound good, he is wrong however to think that this should be achieved with U2esque songs, this is not Tom's native style, and it clearly is shown with every forced repetitive song. Boxcar Racer and the last Blink album showed that Tom could create great mature sounding Just as horrendous as the last Angels album, a major disappointment. Tom is right to think that a mature record can sound good, he is wrong however to think that this should be achieved with U2esque songs, this is not Tom's native style, and it clearly is shown with every forced repetitive song. Boxcar Racer and the last Blink album showed that Tom could create great mature sounding music, as long as he knew what style to do it in, and moreso if he had a counterpart like Mark Hoppus to help with his direction.… Expand
  27. JohnC
    Nov 14, 2007
    0
    Nothing can save this album from being a horrible mess of a work. Overwrought with ideas and themes without any coherence, Tom DeLonge should have stayed out of the music scene after the fall of Blink-182.
  28. JosephC.
    Nov 12, 2007
    10
    Amazing! This music makes we want to go out and make a difference... and I'm lazy! Buy this album, it's great and way better than the first one.
  29. SpencerC
    Nov 11, 2007
    7
    This album creates a large conflict for me. For one, I can't stand DeLonge's nasal, whining singing. His voice just does not fit with the music his band makes. On the other hand, that music is awesome. Epic, emotional, and artistic. Sometimes it gets repetetive, but after a few listens I have been able to acclimate to DeLonge's vocals to appreciate the music. I don't This album creates a large conflict for me. For one, I can't stand DeLonge's nasal, whining singing. His voice just does not fit with the music his band makes. On the other hand, that music is awesome. Epic, emotional, and artistic. Sometimes it gets repetetive, but after a few listens I have been able to acclimate to DeLonge's vocals to appreciate the music. I don't really mind the length of the songs. Actually, one of my favorite parts of the record is The Star of Bethlehem and the intro to True Love. Altogether, it's 4 minutes of instrumentals, but the sweeping, spacey sound just sucks you in. Overall, I like this CD a lot better than the little bit I heard of AVA's previous album, but there is still quite a bit of room for improvement.… Expand
  30. PedroM.
    Nov 11, 2007
    10
    To all AvA haters: prepare to eat your words! I-Empire is by far THE BEST album this year if not of all time. Don't believe me? Well get the album and hear for yourselfs. Best songs: Call to Arms, Secret Crowds, Love Like Rockets, S.O.B./True Love, HELL THE WHOLE ALBUM IS AMAZING!!!! A MAJOR improvment following We Don't Need to Whisper both in lyric and sound. A perfect album To all AvA haters: prepare to eat your words! I-Empire is by far THE BEST album this year if not of all time. Don't believe me? Well get the album and hear for yourselfs. Best songs: Call to Arms, Secret Crowds, Love Like Rockets, S.O.B./True Love, HELL THE WHOLE ALBUM IS AMAZING!!!! A MAJOR improvment following We Don't Need to Whisper both in lyric and sound. A perfect album in every sense. Face people, Blink is over. Do I want them back as much as you do? OF COURSE I DO!!! But I don't go sobbing in the bathroom all day wishing ans pointlessly waiting for a blink reunion. Get a grip you guys. AvA is now. So deal with it!!!… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

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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
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  2. Billboard
    80
    I-Empire is a sweeping conceptual piece with a message as big as its sound and just a bit more enigmatic.
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  3. 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.
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