Nine
by blink-182
  • Record Label: Columbia
  • Release Date: Sep 20, 2019
User Score
6.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 103 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 66 out of 103
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 103
  3. Negative: 24 out of 103
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  1. 44byffis
    Sep 29, 2021
    10
    This album shows the potential of having Mark Hoppus and Matt Skiba working together. It’s a varied album that contains catchy melodies, fun and fast songs but at the same time slow and more emotional jems. It ranks in the olympus of the best albums of the band. Stand out: Happy Days, Darkside, I really whish I hated you, No Herat to Speak of and Remember to Forget me.
  2. Whathappened182
    Sep 26, 2021
    0
    This is the worst album to ever come out of the blink 182/alkaline trio camp. While California wasn't anything special (worst blink album before Nine), it still had some fun to it and was a rock album. Yeah, it felt like a band imitating blink 182 rather than the real thing but it was a good summer album. But Nine is just...crap. The rock elements are gone as this is straight up pop withThis is the worst album to ever come out of the blink 182/alkaline trio camp. While California wasn't anything special (worst blink album before Nine), it still had some fun to it and was a rock album. Yeah, it felt like a band imitating blink 182 rather than the real thing but it was a good summer album. But Nine is just...crap. The rock elements are gone as this is straight up pop with auto-tune galore, ear piercing pitch correction, and overall manufactured feel to it.… Expand
  3. Blinkfloyd
    Sep 26, 2021
    0
    Soulless and plastic. I cannot believe a band with Matt Skiba could produce an album this bad. The formula went from three guys writing an album to now have like 18 writers and it shows. This is blink trying their hardest to stay relevant and it reeks of desperation.
  4. rjmacready
    Dec 4, 2020
    7
    A slight improvement over the last Tom-less album...but not by much. Though at least this album has an identity beyond "Travis, Mark...and some new guy who sings a fair bit like Mark."

    The "punk" is firmly gone by now; Blink 182 are officially a straight-up "pop" band. And, sadly, not as good a pop band as Angels & Airwaves. To clarify: this long-term fan never felt that either Mark or    A slight improvement over the last Tom-less album...but not by much. Though at least this album has an identity beyond "Travis, Mark...and some new guy who sings a fair bit like Mark."

    The "punk" is firmly gone by now; Blink 182 are officially a straight-up "pop" band. And, sadly, not as good a pop band as Angels & Airwaves. To clarify: this long-term fan never felt that either Mark or Tom was the centre of the band, but it's fairly clear by this stage that the catchier songwriting chops lay more in the ex-guitarist's court than the bass player's. Angels and Boxcar Racer proved that Tom could go it alone; these last two Blink albums sadly don't prove the same of Mark.

    As for Matt, the "new guy"...I still know close to nothing about him, so my opinions about his contribution are as objective as they come. And simply put: he seems fine and all, but his vocals don't contrast sufficiently with Mark's, and his guitar parts don't define the songs like Tom's used to. That magic chemistry - that perfect balance of compatibility and contrast between the band members - just doesn't exist anymore. Blink-182 finally lives up to the mediocrity of the silly moniker they chose decades ago, which is a shame considering what an amazing "comeback" album Neighborhoods was...right before Tom completely jumped ship to chase UFOs instead.

    Frankly, I think Tom had the right idea. I'd rather chase UFOs than waste time in a band as "perfectly alright" as this, too.    … Expand
  5. JordanLayton
    Apr 30, 2020
    2
    If "California" was the nail in blink's coffin, this album is the band's buried rotting corpse spasming around in said coffin, occasionally scrounging out one or two decent tracks thanks to the still-functioning spine (Travis), but mostly just spittling out any soulless mess it can to show it's still alive.
  6. psycho_dog33
    Dec 17, 2019
    10
    Every time I listen to this album, I love it even more. Nine reminds me of everything I love about blink. it's now one of my favorite blink-182 albums, beaten out only by the Untitled record. This seems to be an album that you either love or hate, so I would say listen to it yourself and draw your own conclusion. As for me, I have had On Some Emo **** Ransom, and No Heart to Speak OfEvery time I listen to this album, I love it even more. Nine reminds me of everything I love about blink. it's now one of my favorite blink-182 albums, beaten out only by the Untitled record. This seems to be an album that you either love or hate, so I would say listen to it yourself and draw your own conclusion. As for me, I have had On Some Emo **** Ransom, and No Heart to Speak Of perpetually stuck in my head ever since this album came out.… Expand
  7. jhollis977
    Nov 8, 2019
    5
    There's some good parts, but in general I feel that it's over-produced. You are a pop punk band. Let the music breathe a little. Having rawness in this genre is a good thing.
  8. D_Hughez
    Nov 7, 2019
    5
    I can't fault them for trying. It's nice to know that Blink is still trying to make new music. This album has some good tracks that are catchy and easily replayable. However, most of the album is uninspiring, repetitive with lyrics harkening back to when they were younger and edgier. The second album without Tom still doesn't feel right. All credit due to Mark but you really expect Tom toI can't fault them for trying. It's nice to know that Blink is still trying to make new music. This album has some good tracks that are catchy and easily replayable. However, most of the album is uninspiring, repetitive with lyrics harkening back to when they were younger and edgier. The second album without Tom still doesn't feel right. All credit due to Mark but you really expect Tom to come in on some of these songs. This is what I expected from a heyday early 2000s pop-punk band without its full original cast now aged, however, I feel more disappointed than I originally thought I would.… Expand
  9. Barbosz
    Oct 29, 2019
    2
    Ever since Tom DeLonge left the band, it's almost impossible to listen to them. Every album sucks major balls nowadays with production skipped all together it seems, songs written by a 12 year old and in general, it sound like musical diarrhoea. Sweet jesus
  10. zontral
    Oct 21, 2019
    7
    This is a huge step forward from whatever the hell California was. I can, for the first time in forever, listen to this album on repeat and enjoy it.
  11. flaredog84
    Oct 21, 2019
    10
    Great revival album for Blink-182. Their previously album California had a few good songs but Nine has the sing along pop-punk songs that are great fun from the first song to the last. Travis barker as always kill's it on the drums. Mark and Matt complement each other greatly in lyrics and with their mix of bass and guitar. I am really big fan of this album.
  12. leosimoes
    Sep 20, 2019
    10
    Melhor álbum com Matt Skiba na banda e melhor álbum desde 2003, surreal!!!!
  13. MeeranQureshi
    Oct 5, 2019
    0
    Bland music with cringeworthy lyrics. Terrible sound and lots of autotune.Sounds like some high school kids singing.Horrible record.
  14. Shesaid
    Oct 4, 2019
    10
    These annoying haters cannot admit Blink are able to do excellent work, cuz Tom is nt part of it.... Top 3 album (Pin The Grenade and On Some Emo **** perfect usage of pop punk + electronics
  15. rock-omlet
    Sep 30, 2019
    6
    8-ая студийная пластинка поп-панк коллектива из Калифорнии. Такое чувство, что ребята старались угодить всем, одновременно оставаясь на волне современных поп-течений, стараясь окончательно не утратить свою уникальность. Компромиссы обычно не приводят к чему-то значительному – довольно средненькая работа от тех, у которых ждали большего.

    Лучшие песни: Happy Days Blame It On My Youth    8-ая студийная пластинка поп-панк коллектива из Калифорнии. Такое чувство, что ребята старались угодить всем, одновременно оставаясь на волне современных поп-течений, стараясь окончательно не утратить свою уникальность. Компромиссы обычно не приводят к чему-то значительному – довольно средненькая работа от тех, у которых ждали большего.

    Лучшие песни:
    Happy Days
    Blame It On My Youth
    Darkside
    … Expand
  16. Bounty
    Sep 27, 2019
    0
    Plus qu'une déception, une désillusion totale, une claque dans la face qui fait pas du bien, presque des larmes de désespoir...
    J'ai grandi avec ce groupe, je suis devenu qui je suis ( aussi rien du tout que je sois) en les écoutant, en les vénérant presque. Ils ont toujours compté comme mon groupe N°1. J'ai adoré tous leurs albums, y compris California, Neighborhoods, et bien sur le self    Plus qu'une déception, une désillusion totale, une claque dans la face qui fait pas du bien, presque des larmes de désespoir...
    J'ai grandi avec ce groupe, je suis devenu qui je suis ( aussi rien du tout que je sois) en les écoutant, en les vénérant presque. Ils ont toujours compté comme mon groupe N°1. J'ai adoré tous leurs albums, y compris California, Neighborhoods, et bien sur le self titled...
    J'ai été heureux en écoutant Blink 182, j'ai versé des tonnes de larmes également, leurs morceaux ont accompagnés tellement de moments dans ma vie... Tristesse ou joie, il y a toujours eu du Blink pour m'accompagner.
    J'ai assisté 3 fois à leurs concerts, jetais dans la fosse au plus près à chaque fois, j'étais heureux. J'ai écris leurs noms et coller leurs stickers, porter leurs vêtements...
    Voila pour décrire ce que je ressent(ais) vis à vis de ce groupe.

    Nine n'est pas un album de Blink, et je ne sais pas ce que c'est.
    J'ai même plus la force ou l'envie de l'écouter.
    Quelle honte.

    Je fuis vers des groupes qui ne balancent pas leurs hardcore fans à la benne.

    Adieu Blink 182.    … Expand
  17. gasparpalagyi
    Sep 26, 2019
    2
    If there is one thing for sure about the new album by Blink-182 is that fans' reactions are so deeply diveded it sometimes seems like they aren't even arguing about the same record. However, after listening to NINE a few times, and reading through a couple of comments, the picture gets clearer.

    Simply put: NINE is not an album for those Blink-182 fans who were in their early teens    If there is one thing for sure about the new album by Blink-182 is that fans' reactions are so deeply diveded it sometimes seems like they aren't even arguing about the same record. However, after listening to NINE a few times, and reading through a couple of comments, the picture gets clearer.

    Simply put: NINE is not an album for those Blink-182 fans who were in their early teens around the time Dude Ranch, Enema, or Take Off came out. It was probably never really meant to please them, and it certainly was never meant to retain them as fans. This is a record meant for an entirely different target audience. Blink-182 has decided to try and make a living off of today's youngsters, as they are more likely to fill arenas, purchase band merch, and shower them in internet traffic income.

    The level of heat in the arguements between those who loved and those who disliked NINE seems to indicate the same. After a few minutes, it just sounds like people in their thirties arguing with people in their late teens and early twenties: two totally different generations who simply can't help annoying each other. Throwing in something as rare and valuable as a new Blink-182 album into this low-key, never-ending conflict, fought on the imaginary and absolutely pointless battlefields of Facebook and Youtube comment sections is just sad. And this is not about some idiotic Tom vs. Mark or Tom vs. Matt debate.

    About the album itself, as this is supposed to be a review of that: it doesn't even come close to being a decent effort. It's overproduced, overedited, overadvertised, and shows very little, if any connection to what Blink-182 sounds like. The closest connection it has to music previously played by the band is its title, as the naming NINE suggests it fits into the chain of earlier releases (but even that is debated!).

    Of course, there is always room for musicians to expand, to discover new depths, to toy around with new ideas, but they generally keep at least just enough of their previous, signature move-like sound and stlye that they stay recognisable. And this is where NINE fails: with the exception of "The first time" and "Generational Divide", none of the songs actually sound like Blink-182, and not even in the sense of Platonic Ideas. If you could somehow find someone who has not had any access to any part of NINE yet, not even singles, previews nor the title of the tracks, and played the album's content heavily mixed up with similar, current pop-style songs, he or she would have an almost impossible job to name which ones belong to Blink. The only thing to help in such a quest would be the fairly unmistakable voice of Mark Hoppus, but even that became distorted way more ofthen than not. Matt Skiba, the hero of Alkaline Trio, suffering from the same treatment, is almost unrecognisable compared to his other band's latest record (Is this thing cursed).

    Another unforgivable sin of NINE is that its lyrics are terrible. Although "mature" seems to be the most popular phrase when talking about Blink-182 nowdays, I find nothing remotely mature in those shallow, artificially dark-themed, cut-paste songs. Singing about depression (or rather, what Facebook Karens identify as depression) or not wanting to grow up (sang by a guy turning 47 this year) is not by any means mature. The nonsensical, ridiculous lines "I don't believe that we were ever meant to be left underneath the light of dying stars" (along with their atrociuos rhytm), when compared to the opening lines of Story of a Lonely Guy pinpoint just exactly how bad the situation is. It is beyond terrible. I would readily show my future son anything from old Blink when he hits puberty, to ease his mind and make him understand it's absolutely okay to be like that lonely guy. But there's nothing on NINE that would be of real impact. There are people claiming all around the comment sections "Happy days" cured them from depression, or even saved them for suicide. I call **** on that. If your problem can as simply be solved as listening to "Hey kid, don't quit your daydream yet", then it's your lucky day, because you never had a real problem in the first place. Again, a sympton of a whole generation.

    And the worst thing: it's true that Blink-182 songs have quite often got critcised for sounding the same in the past. But this time around, they really sound the same. None of them stand out, at least not in a good way. Former albums have different construction: Dude Ranch, Enema, Takeoff and even Self-titled all had a surprisingly similar amount of (more or less 3) real killers, the other songs being decent, hard-working filler songs. Neighborhoods, Dogs and California work more like American Idiot, being disc-long ballads divided lightly up to fairly similar songs that blend nicely together to form a complete entity, but without any hits or killers. But NINE is neither this or that. It has no real character besides being annyoing.

    Either that, or I got too old.    … Expand
  18. gollygee93
    Sep 26, 2019
    8
    If you are expecting to need a dictionary to find the definitions of words being used in the songs you are listening to, don't listen to this album. This is the closest Blink has come to Take Off Your Pants and Jacket. A really fun album that spotlights how Blink was created and gets them back to their roots. A lot of catchy tunes with Travis Barker continuing to kill it on the drums.
  19. MusicGuyMack
    Sep 26, 2019
    8
    Delivering all of the catchy melodies and tongue-in-cheek self-deprecation that Blink fans could hope for in a brand-new, candy-striped and electronica-tinged package, the album is also helped immensely by the improved vocal interplay between Mark Hoppus and Matt Skiba, as well as the latter's inhabiting the role left by his iconic predecessor far more confidently and comfortably.Delivering all of the catchy melodies and tongue-in-cheek self-deprecation that Blink fans could hope for in a brand-new, candy-striped and electronica-tinged package, the album is also helped immensely by the improved vocal interplay between Mark Hoppus and Matt Skiba, as well as the latter's inhabiting the role left by his iconic predecessor far more confidently and comfortably.

    Choice Cuts: "Happy Days", "Darkside", "I Really Wish I Hated You"    … Expand
  20. Thsms
    Sep 25, 2019
    9
    Eu gostei bastante do álbum. Sou fã desde meus sei lá... 14-15 anos? Hoje com 32, fico muito feliz em ver uma das minhas bandas favoritas ainda na ativa depois de uma grande perda(saída do Tom).
    Tem músicas muito boas, é ótimo ver Matt Skiba dando o seu toque na banda, trazendo coisas que só o Alkaline Trio poderia fazer tão bem.
    Aos antigos fãs que criticam o novo Blink182, eu só    Eu gostei bastante do álbum. Sou fã desde meus sei lá... 14-15 anos? Hoje com 32, fico muito feliz em ver uma das minhas bandas favoritas ainda na ativa depois de uma grande perda(saída do Tom).
    Tem músicas muito boas, é ótimo ver Matt Skiba dando o seu toque na banda, trazendo coisas que só o Alkaline Trio poderia fazer tão bem.
    Aos antigos fãs que criticam o novo Blink182, eu só lamento e desejo que superem a saída da mamãe da banda. Aceita que dói menos.

    Blink182 ainda respira e a plenos pulmões!
    Let's rock! Mark, $kiba & Travi$!
    ../,    … Expand
  21. sawyersmith123
    Sep 25, 2019
    10
    This is the best full-length blink-182 release since 2003's Untitled album. It shows blink-182 challenging themselves and using modern beats and production techniques to evolve their sound in a natural and mature way. This is exactly where blink-182 should be, and should cause any fans still reluctant to buy into the modern post-Tom iteration of the band to rethink their position. TheThis is the best full-length blink-182 release since 2003's Untitled album. It shows blink-182 challenging themselves and using modern beats and production techniques to evolve their sound in a natural and mature way. This is exactly where blink-182 should be, and should cause any fans still reluctant to buy into the modern post-Tom iteration of the band to rethink their position. The singles from this album felt lacking, but make much more sense when consumed in the context of an album. This thing is cohesive. Good job, blink-182.… Expand
  22. Polpolpro
    Sep 24, 2019
    9
    A good album better than California but not better that untitled album, i recommand it
  23. HumanoidGREY
    Sep 24, 2019
    2
    The one thing I always liked about Blink's music was that somehow, it always sounded simpel, catchy and unique. Nine has none of those points. It is really hard for me to say something bad about this band. They (the original members) got me through my teen years and most of my mature life too, and always put a smile on my face. But with Nine I didn't smile once. Somehow Mark, Matt andThe one thing I always liked about Blink's music was that somehow, it always sounded simpel, catchy and unique. Nine has none of those points. It is really hard for me to say something bad about this band. They (the original members) got me through my teen years and most of my mature life too, and always put a smile on my face. But with Nine I didn't smile once. Somehow Mark, Matt and Travis managed to create an album that wants to be the self titled album from 2003 but practically fails to do so in every imaginable way. They tried giving it all a bit of an electronic sound but took away everything that makes Blink what it is in the process. Hardly any catchy melodies or guitar riffs, absolutely bland and uninspired lyrics to the point I couldn't care less what they were singing and a depressing vibe in a couple of songs that took me back to the dark Plus 44 days. But the dfference is that I actually like the Plus 44 album. And then there is this weird boy band style of music in some of the songs that really made me wonder if this was still Blink-182 I was listening to. I honestly loved the California Deluxe album, especially disc 2. It had a lot of catchy songs with some reasonable lyrics. It actually gave me hope that Blink could survive without Tom and still make great music. But then they release this album and all that hope is completely gone. If this is the future of Blink-182 then I am sorry to say that I am definitely not a fan anymore. Sure, those guys are getting older and are trying to make different styles of music but then why continue Blink-182? Mark had no problem in the past creating a new band (Plus 44) and lately joined forces with Alex Gaskarth to form Simple Creatures. It makes no sense to me to release an album under the name Blink-182 with music that sounds nothing like Blink-182 other than it being a quick cash grab. It sounds so little like Blink-182 that a friend of mine didn't even realize it was until I told him so. And for one of the biggest names in the industry, that is definitely not a good thing.… Expand
  24. ksbec
    Sep 23, 2019
    4
    Just wasn’t my thing. Loved the old blink 182 and this just isn’t the same. Could see why some would enjoy this though.
  25. musicmaniac
    Sep 23, 2019
    0
    One of the worst albums of the past 10 years. What were they thinking... Lady Gaga hits harder than they do now. LMAO.
    Ignore the 10's on here.. they must be Kanye fans.
  26. Trsmith356
    Sep 23, 2019
    9
    A little too pop sounding at times but overall a very good album. Blink is alive and well!
  27. skanonoy
    Sep 23, 2019
    1
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Step backwards. The album
    Did not grow up as with its older fans but obviously targeted to much younger audiences. Young folks may like it but blink has become something that is not my cup of tea anymore. Other bands were able to grow with thier fans gracefully but what blink is doing is cringe worthy.    … Expand
  28. DeliciousMesire
    Sep 21, 2019
    9
    Only adding text because the **** at metacritic decided to have such strict parameters on their reviews.
  29. micbrc
    Sep 21, 2019
    6
    After about 4 listens it's growing on my there's some great tunes on there like remember to forget me. However if you're looking for a classic track like rock show, Adams song, what's my name again keep looking it's not here. I can't see this album getting much radio play either it's much more lyrically generic and way to pop for most long term fans. Take off your pants and jacket willAfter about 4 listens it's growing on my there's some great tunes on there like remember to forget me. However if you're looking for a classic track like rock show, Adams song, what's my name again keep looking it's not here. I can't see this album getting much radio play either it's much more lyrically generic and way to pop for most long term fans. Take off your pants and jacket will forever be in my rotation of albums but nine will probably be in there for a few weeks tops similar to California.

    But overall it's a weird one it's not the blink of old and it's thrown out a lot of what made blink so fun and great back in the day. Some tracks do stray to far into pop territory and clearly are there to attract a younger crowd or blinks efforts to try to adapt to popular music today. I guess the most irritating thing about this release was how it was promoted Markus gave interview stating it was in the same vein as take off your pants and jacket or enema of the state it's not even close it's highly polished but not as fun there's no Wendy clear or anything in that vein but I guess the times have changed. Overall it's more California V2 than anything else for better or worse we have to remember these guys are grown up and enema of the state was 20ish years ago.    … Expand
  30. Mathoppus182
    Sep 21, 2019
    3
    In punk rock or at least pop rock the main thing is... Rock...
    Not here.
    It became a random '' popy'' band. Runaway from it blink is legendary but maybe only Delonge's come back will can stop this crash...
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Awards & Rankings

32
#32 Most Discussed Album of 2019

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
67

Generally favorable reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 10
  3. Negative: 1 out of 10
  1. Punknews.org (Staff)
    Sep 30, 2019
    40
    A few songs impress but the majority is meant to fill radio stations and leave you wondering where the magic this band held went. Probably outer space...
    Read full review
  2. Pitchfork
    Sep 30, 2019
    52
    It’s surprising how well the new sound works, though the voice of Skiba doesn’t always mesh comfortably with the production. As always, angst and unrequited affections are aplenty, but it all feels far too tame.
    Read full review
  3. Punknews.org (Staff)
    Sep 30, 2019
    80
    The album is pretty much a joyride from start to finish, moving through a number of different styles, driven by some of the best damn drumming you’ve ever heard. And everyone involved in writing these songs (yes, including Feldmann) is a talented lyricist who knows how to craft excellent pop songs. So ultimately, it’s a brilliantly fun album if you have the fortitude to look past a lot of very annoying studio effects to listen to what Blink-183 are really saying.
    Read full review
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