by Scott Albright
Daily Lobo
The All-American Rejects can reject themselves out of the stereo and move along back into the studio.
The album Move Along is a dry collection of edgy beats and shaky riffs with the addition of some nicely construed piano and strings. The monotonous whiny vocals are annoying enough not to pay attention to the words but can be a convenient background noise when it gets so boring that you would actually put this album in the CD player. Leave the Rejects CD on the shelves and wait for them to go back to the studio before they can be accepted back into the "alternative boy band wannabe rock star" genre.
Most of the songs are filled with the same crashing drum sets and repetitive guitar riffs with the exception of the last track, "Can't Take It," which combines a well-orchestrated mix of strings and piano. Credit goes to Deborah Lurie for the string portion of the album, which adds a rock ballad feel to songs like "Straight Jacket Feeling" and "It Ends Tonight." The only other change to the monotonous pounding and whiny vocals is some stomping and clapping in the song "Night Drive."
The lyrics to "Night Drive" seem to be about staying awake on a long drive. Bassist and vocalist Tyson Ritter screams "Fight, fight, fight," which must mean to keep your eyes open, because the album certainly is not brawling music.
Ritter sounds like he's reading his lyrics off a scrap sheet, but he does carry a well-trained voice. However, it doesn't quite follow through with the energy that's needed to keep the listener focused. There is little depth to his tones and he doesn't change up his voice throughout the whole album. In the song "11:11 PM," the words "This could be the last time," leaves the mind wondering, for what? And in "It Ends Tonight" one hopes that the song will, if not at that moment.
There is good energy in the drums and guitar and the message in the lyrics is mostly positive. There is nothing explicit or controversial in their music which makes it appropriate for young listeners.
No one song rocks out, but the potential is there for progression and growth. The album can be used as filler during those awkward moments of silence. Keep this album rejected and wait for something better from the Rejects.
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