California

1. wshfrwngsthtwrk

   Jul 3, 2016

   10

   This is the album that Blink-182 needed to release for years to come. I know some diehard fans are going to have bias feelings towards Tom'sThis is the album that Blink-182 needed to release for years to come. I know some diehard fans are going to have bias feelings towards Tom's departure. But, I frankly believe it was the drastic change the band needed in order to survive. Tom DeLonge was far too concerned with moving forward with Angels & Airwaves, which he can gladly do without the pressure of trying to keep both bands going with only having the full desire for just one of them. I take nothing away from Tom's songwriting ability, but I personally believe Matt Skiba just happens to be better at songwriting and was looking forward to the "new and improved" Blink-182. After listening to California for the first time (I haven't stopped listening to it much since I got ahold of it), it immediately took me back to when I heard Take Off Your Pants & Jacket for the first time. In my opinion, it's the band's best record since that album. Every song brings something different to the table while consisting of some continuity. Call me crazy, but Mark Hoppus and Matt Skiba are a match made in Heaven. California just has the classic sing-a-long Pop Punk vibes that Blink-182 had back in the late 90's and early 2000's. It was obvious on both self-titled and Neighborhoods that Tom was pulling away from Blink-182 and was ready to stick a fork in his contribution to the band. That was notably clear for both albums since they recorded each one separately. This was the first album in god knows how long that they actually recorded together in the same studio. You can tell by listening to California that they had a blast writing and recording this album; which is something Mark and Travis haven't had with Blink-182 in a long time. They're both just happy as much as I am that the band is alive and well.
   
   I wish Tom DeLonge the very best with his future musical endeavors; whether that be continuing in Angels & Airwaves or not, but I am very interested in seeing where this new look Blink-182 goes from here. Matt Skiba joining forces with Mark and Travis is the best thing to happen to this band in a very long time.… Expand

   • 4 of 9 users found this helpful
2. RenZimE

   Nov 2, 2016

   10

   Simply put, this is the best album Blink 182 have released since 2000. The departure of Tom Delonge is and always will be saddening, but it isSimply put, this is the best album Blink 182 have released since 2000. The departure of Tom Delonge is and always will be saddening, but it is clear his passion lives elsewhere now. It must be said however, that the new arrival, Matt Skiba, has captured the magic of Blink perfectly and in my opinion every song is fantasticly written and performed. This is Blink 182. You can't get better than this!!… Expand

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful
4. tekkara

   Sep 20, 2017

   9

   California is blink 182 hitting the refresh button and coming out with a new sound that has the same blink 182 feel. Cynical, Bored to death,California is blink 182 hitting the refresh button and coming out with a new sound that has the same blink 182 feel. Cynical, Bored to death, She's out of her mind, sober, kings of the weekend, no future are just a few examples of the many great songs that make this album. Iv always never really been a fan of blink 182 with only liking a very few songs over their 6 albums but this album has changed my mind about them.… Expand

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful
5. LeoDiCaprioFan

   Jul 1, 2016

   8

   Without Tom DeLonge, I never thought Blink-182 will never the same without him. But when Matt Skiba joined the band and they recorded theWithout Tom DeLonge, I never thought Blink-182 will never the same without him. But when Matt Skiba joined the band and they recorded the album. Then the album finally released. It was pretty much worth the wait. Their songs are pretty catchy and head-banging. But some of their songs on this album were pretty short like "Built This Pool" and "Brohemian Rhapsody" were very short songs that were under a minute and they are not really a song. However, the other songs like "Bored To Death", "No Future" and "Teenage Satellites" were beautiful amazing songs on this album and other songs on this album are very good. A pretty good band's work!… Expand

   • 1 of 3 users found this helpful
6. fhzJester

   Aug 21, 2019

   7

   The songs are great but some looks like others and it also have a lot of simple songs making them look the same

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful
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-182On 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

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful
8. YT_Guyyy

   Dec 11, 2016

   1

   THIS is in the top 5 best rock albums according to the Grammys? Holy **** they're just a huge circlejerck, where selling copies is the onlyTHIS is in the top 5 best rock albums according to the Grammys? Holy **** they're just a huge circlejerck, where selling copies is the only thing that remotely matters. This album is pop punk at its worst. I never liked pop punk, I like some Green Day songs, I guess Blink-182 have good songs, but pop punk is one of the worst genres of music ever, and this album is the worst of the worst.… Expand

   • 0 of 2 users found this helpful

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