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...
  31. Fabricioszl
    Sep 21, 2019
    10
    Nostalgic and fresh at the same time! I love it! I miss more good male performers like Blink 182 that can pull off a pop/rock album on mainstream nowadays. The songs are extremely catchy with good lyrics and melodies. The production is on point.
  32. Skydog
    Sep 21, 2019
    0
    Edit: Dr. VanillaD- no I am not a Tom fanboy. Hate Angels and Hairspray with Glitter too.This blink album might as well have been an entire collab with every fake vocal edited “can’t sing live” pop star of the 2010s. It’s such a pop infested swamp of vile. So your review is just an attack at me, and an incorrect assumption as well.

    The singles already scared me enough, but honestly    Edit: Dr. VanillaD- no I am not a Tom fanboy. Hate Angels and Hairspray with Glitter too.This blink album might as well have been an entire collab with every fake vocal edited “can’t sing live” pop star of the 2010s. It’s such a pop infested swamp of vile. So your review is just an attack at me, and an incorrect assumption as well.

    The singles already scared me enough, but honestly thought the entire thing was trash. They
    desperately need Tom back after California and now this. This album is littered with so much vocal edits/autotune and is really noticeable and horrible in anything trying to be rock.

    Pros:
    - They tried. They really tried to branch out but they went the wrong way. Hiphop-wannabe-punk rock is not the route to go with the band. It sounds horrible.

    Cons:
    - Autotune/vocal editing very much present on almost every track.
    - Not enough time for Travis Barker to shine compared to early albums. They literally put so many handclaps/electronic hi-hat (which is already used enough in every other pop/hiphop song...) that I don't get why they seem to be wanting to abandon their roots. They should let Barker do more drum solos like in the past. When they did let him drum he did a lot of generic-rock beats.    … Collapse
  33. joey24
    Sep 21, 2019
    9
    ......................................3rd best album all time................................................ .
  34. Ptrade
    Sep 21, 2019
    10
    Very nice and good album - they have courage to make experiments with sound and cross the boundaries of the pop-punk and the things their fans wait from them. In my opinion it is sounds fresh and very interesting to listen. Because everything should change and develops and it is great that blink 182 develops their sound and music staying true to genre traditions and their style withoutVery nice and good album - they have courage to make experiments with sound and cross the boundaries of the pop-punk and the things their fans wait from them. In my opinion it is sounds fresh and very interesting to listen. Because everything should change and develops and it is great that blink 182 develops their sound and music staying true to genre traditions and their style without looking back.… Expand
  35. betoromerogza
    Sep 20, 2019
    9
    Nine is the best blink-182 album since 2003's Untitled. Mark, Matt and Travis approached this album with a different mindset than 2016's California. Instead of "going back" to their roots and trying to sound like EOTS or TOYPAJ, NINE experiments with modern sounds while keeping that iconic blink sound we all know and love. The more mature and dark themes of this album brings us back to +44Nine is the best blink-182 album since 2003's Untitled. Mark, Matt and Travis approached this album with a different mindset than 2016's California. Instead of "going back" to their roots and trying to sound like EOTS or TOYPAJ, NINE experiments with modern sounds while keeping that iconic blink sound we all know and love. The more mature and dark themes of this album brings us back to +44 days, and reminds us that Matt Skiba's past can be benefitial to blink's present.… Expand
  36. Brettaintdead
    Sep 20, 2019
    10
    I'm just happy blink is still releasing music some 20+ years later . I had to Google where to buy a physical CD , God damn I'm old . Less punk more pop , which I'm ok with .
  37. 261aguilar
    Sep 20, 2019
    10
    This album is a good comeback from the band. At first I was a little skeptical about the new single "BOMY" but after the song "Happy Days" my fears went down.

    The album has one of the best tracks like "On some Emo S..." "Darkside" and "Pin the granade"

    Good job Blink182, Good job!
  38. StevenProctor
    Sep 20, 2019
    8
    Overall a positive effort and a definite continuation of the upward inflection after Neighbourhoods with California in hand. The focus on big melodies really shines through here and with 2 songwriters in Skiba and Hoppus pulling in the same direction, Blink are better off with Tom de Longe off chasing aliens.
  39. 808great
    Sep 20, 2019
    6
    Some highs, a lot of forgettable tracks. There’s nothing particularly interesting, groundbreaking, or gritty. It’s a polished album that sounds mostly the same throughout. Rather than a step forward, it’s a step laterally into a different take on the band. Though this take is polished, formulaic, and sometimes just plain boring.
  40. aems5150
    Sep 20, 2019
    6
    It's just...okay. Unlike California, the songs do hold up a little better, but like California, it's production is absolutely awful. I wish they would ditch Feldmann, and they could probably make a much better album. Mark is underselling himself in terms of his songwriting ability. +44 shows what he's capable of, and this just kinda sounds like a shell of his former self. Matt Skiba isIt's just...okay. Unlike California, the songs do hold up a little better, but like California, it's production is absolutely awful. I wish they would ditch Feldmann, and they could probably make a much better album. Mark is underselling himself in terms of his songwriting ability. +44 shows what he's capable of, and this just kinda sounds like a shell of his former self. Matt Skiba is definitely the highlight of this album and saves it from being completely uninteresting. I will say Heaven, Black Rain, Pin the Grenade, and No Heart to Speak Of are pretty damn good, though.… Expand
  41. Tsbond
    Sep 20, 2019
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I feel nine is a story about depression, grief and its many stages, blame, failed relationships, pain, and suffering. It doesnt have a happy ending but it's so sad that it is beautiful and makes me happy that it is so sad. You cant have sorrow this deep without the contrast of intense joy.


    Starting with the first time...


    It's a great starter for a great album.

    I really enjoy the feelings it inspires like it is the first time getting high or falling in love it kind of sends you back to that long lost, ever allusive, nostalgic feeling. I really like that it's the album opener cause it sets you up for a wild roller coaster of emotions. The contextual story of the album.

    I treat nine like a story. It starts out at the beginning of a terrible road of manic depressive bi polar disorder. Or just human emotion in general. This song, "The first time" is when we first start to realize that life isnt always going to be the same way it was when we were young. We are getting older and reality is coming like a meteor to kill the dinosuars. Only the dinosaurs in this analogy is joy. The amazing Joy of youth will never be obtained again and we are struggling to hold onto that feeling but we can sense that there ain't nothing like the first time. We become more hollow searching for that first time feeling. After this song comes "happy days" were we have fallen deeper down the rabbit hole. Weve fallen deeper into darkness and depression. We feel like we have hit rock bottom and are in the bottom of a pit of negativity and self doubt. The first time is long gone and now if we ever want to get back to Happy days we have to climb out ourselves and make the decision that we will work for that happiness. Sometimes it's a choice. WE WANNA FEEL HAPPY DAYS, but as the clock ticks, they become more scarce. Depressed people can become very manic. They go through phases were they are set on climbing back to hapiness and attack their life goals very hard and go all out with motivation only to fly too close to the sun and crash back into the pit even harder than before.

    Heaven then takes us back into that pit where we realize that even though we try to be good and make t he most of life. we fall back into our old ways, and if it isnt us it's those around us. For some it gets so bad that they lash out in violence. These devastating acts of violence like mass shootings make us feel like we have no control over this world and that people are stuck in their ways. Chaos or evil prevails, despite our efforts to obtain Happy days. Heaven shows us the pessimistic outlook on humanity. It shows us the world won't change or it doesnt want to.

    This puts us into a state of not giving a **** about the consequences of our actions because we feel the world is hopeless. We just want lust and love and excitement. We dont care what anyone says about us. We dont care what anyone does. We dont care about morality anymore because the world is ****ing hopeless anyways. Were going to the darkside baby.

    Then comes biomy which is quite literally blaming the previous generations for how weve become. Nines version of Anthem part 2 "If were ****ed up your to blame" however even in this ****ed up state we feel happy about some aspects of our life. Even though we were left alone in front of a t.v. to be raised on re runs and riddilin. Despite the fact no one ever gave a **** We found our own hapiness and highs and even though it may be ****ed up it's still ours and it's beautiful and its cant be killed. Despite the flaws of our youth and the imperfections, it's still a work of art to us, but some see it as a waste.

    And that's the Generational divide! Many of the youth's parents give them life-line after life-line and keep bailing them out when they swear they will be better than the last time. It's a vicious cycle of love clashing with the division of ideas amongst the older generation and the newer generation. The younger generation tries to make it better but is it better? Or has the damage all ready been done and it's too little too late?

    Then we lash out and run away because of this divide. We try to escape in any way possible. We want to separate ourselves and get away, but at the same time love and perhaps dependance or just the craving for homeostasis wants us to not get away for good, just give us some space and well come home again. At the same time tragedy all around us has created depression making it more and more difficult to believe in anything at all. Hope is being flooded by thick black rain. Despite our efforts to swim and find happy days the black rain wont ever stop pouring Good work blink. You made me weep, but it was therapeutic    … Expand
  42. Sodapopboxwell
    Sep 20, 2019
    1
    "I feel like a melted popsicle. Give me a flu shot and take me to the hospital."
    This is what blink has come too. It's so bad its laughable. A real shame coming from them. This album is **** awful.
  43. Venusaur
    Sep 20, 2019
    8
    NINE is great and has surpassed my expectations. It sounds like a mixture of Neighbourhoods and California with inspirations from the self titled, but it also tries some new things. Skiba shines on this album and its obvious they made an effort to differentiate his voice from Marks, he's awesome on "No Heart To Speak of" and "Black Rain", the latter of which is unlike anything Blink haveNINE is great and has surpassed my expectations. It sounds like a mixture of Neighbourhoods and California with inspirations from the self titled, but it also tries some new things. Skiba shines on this album and its obvious they made an effort to differentiate his voice from Marks, he's awesome on "No Heart To Speak of" and "Black Rain", the latter of which is unlike anything Blink have ever done. The somewhat controversial singles are all growers and fit well within the context of the other songs. Happy Days and Pin the grenade are lower points to me, but not bad enough to warrent a skip and they don't slow down the tempo. Travis' drumming is as excellent as always, and although he has his moments I don't feel like he gets to show off his skills as much as say in a song like "Hearts all gone". It's still a Blink album through and through, but its more mature than their last two. Overall I think it's a really cool pop-punk album with some interesting experimentation and I think it's a great direction for Blink to go in… Expand
  44. JupiterMan
    Sep 20, 2019
    0
    Embarrassing crap for a 47 years old bassist. Blink 182 was Tom Delonge. He is better chasing aliens.
  45. Margherita
    Sep 20, 2019
    10
    Every song, lyrics and sound is particular and different. The album is really significant. Good job Blink-182.
  46. DrVanillaD
    Sep 20, 2019
    9
    Had to post a review, mostly in response to Skydog and any other delusional Tom fanboys who claim Blink isn't Blink without Tom. You're all ridiculous and need to get some things through your heads.

    1. This is Blink's most cohesive work since Untitled. It's also the most similar in themes and production. If you honestly think Tom could ever sing like he does on that record, you are    Had to post a review, mostly in response to Skydog and any other delusional Tom fanboys who claim Blink isn't Blink without Tom. You're all ridiculous and need to get some things through your heads.

    1. This is Blink's most cohesive work since Untitled. It's also the most similar in themes and production. If you honestly think Tom could ever sing like he does on that record, you are again delusional.
    2. Tom's not making music like this anymore. He's making synth pop, which is ironic, because you hate modern production elements in Blink so much but have no trouble listening to Tom's now bastardized AvA.
    3. Travis works in hiphop. I have no doubt that he programmed all of these drum beats. He's even talked about how proud of it he is for god's sake.
    4. You don't need to listen to Blink and pretend they've done wrong by you, or Tom, by moving on and continuing to evolve. You can just enjoy the music.
    5. Matt Skiba is basically the realized version of angsty Tom, minus some guitar flair (notice I say fliar, not talent). He's a better singer and an equal in lyricism.
    6. Tom barely writes the material anymore. Their drummer does. Why do you think it's so synth heavy and why do you think Tom is being TAUGHT the guitar parts in their recording updates? He's too busy chasing aliens to write music. I'd only believe he's writing their lyrics and vocals. Rebel Girl's lyrics are atrocious.

    Skydog, I can't wait for you to give AvA's album a 1 as well, because all the things you claim to hate are already present in the tracks they've release. Blink wouldn't be the Blink you grew up loving if Tom was still a part of it. Get over that fact and you'll be able to enjoy both bands a lot more.

    Best songs on this are: Heaven, Darkside, Black Rain, Ransom, No Heart To Speak of, On some Emo ****

    Weakest: Happy Days, Blame it On my Youth. Both of which, in context of the album, flow pretty well.    … Expand
  47. RamenPleb
    Sep 20, 2019
    9
    Blink 182 has released a dark, pop rock album for the ages. Driven by it's sweltering synths, slow burning guitar, addictive choruses and Matt Skiba's impressive screamy vocals. This album has the blink like catchiness and pop punk sensibilities to grab hardcore fans and the poppy production to please the mainstream market.

    Blink's last effort was a step down from 2011's Neighborhoods.    Blink 182 has released a dark, pop rock album for the ages. Driven by it's sweltering synths, slow burning guitar, addictive choruses and Matt Skiba's impressive screamy vocals. This album has the blink like catchiness and pop punk sensibilities to grab hardcore fans and the poppy production to please the mainstream market.

    Blink's last effort was a step down from 2011's Neighborhoods. Travis Barker's usually laser deadly drumming was almost brought down by the lackluster production and overall safeness if the album. Nine is a huge step up in that regard. This album feels as if it's a modern take on 2003's Untitled with the same experimentation found on tracks like No Heart To Speak Of and Heaven but with more crisp production and scattered 808s. Travis's drumming is typical Travis, which is a HUGE complement. The latin and hip hop inspired grooves are fresh and his fills are as quick as usual. Matt Skiba truly found his place on this album however. His vocals are some of the best vocals I've ever heard from him tied with the Alkaline Trio song Radio. The emo screams are just perfect to my ears. The riffs are catchy and simple, very blink like.

    Mark's not the best singer, but he still does good on the album. His melodies and simple but effective lyrics tug at all the right heartstrings.

    Overall, this album is my favorite so far for 2019. I really like this album with it's impressive vocals and diverse instrumentation. Every song is enjoyable for me, some more than others. For me, this is a 9/10, rivaling classic blink with the quality.    … Expand
  48. MysticManiac
    Sep 20, 2019
    8
    The singles don't do a good job at showing the quality of this album. The deep cuts are definitely better, specifically tracks like Hungover You, The First Time, Black Rain and Heaven.

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...
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  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.
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  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.
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