“I can’t get my feet up off the edge, I kinda like the little rush you get when you’re standing close to death”
Blink-182 is back with their sixth studio album Neighborhoods, released on September 27, 2011. Neighborhoods is Blink’s first album in eight years, following an “indefinite hiatus” due to conflicts within the band. During that hiatus, Tom DeLonge formed band Angels & Airwaves, while Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker continued with their band +44.
Tragedy struck the band when Jerry Finn, producer of all Blink’s albums since Enema of State, passed and Barker was involved in a serious plane crash along with close friend DJ AM, who later passed away. Due to the plane crash, the band mates started talking again, and soon started considering a new album. During the 51st Grammy Awards on February 8, 2009 Blink finally announced they were back together. In 2009, they began to work on the next album.
Neighborhoods includes 10 songs, with 14 on the deluxe edition. The album topped the U.S. Rock & Alternative Albums, making the #1 spot, and #2 spot on The Billboard Hot 200 Chart. The first single off the album, “Up All Night,” released July 14, and peaked to the #3 spot on the U.S. Alternative songs. The second single, “After Midnight” premiered September 6th.
Though Blink-182 is back, fans who hoped for some more of their old snot nosed humor will be disappointed.
“There are going to be some people who are like, ‘This record sucks’, there are some people out there that just want ‘What’s My Age Again?’. You know what? We can’t please everybody and the only people you can please as artists are yourselves, because you can’t guess what other people are going to like” said guitarist and vocals Mark Hoppus, on Blink-182’s more mature sound on the new album.
“It sounded different than their usual stuff, but I really liked it,” said Senior Michael Laulis when asked about the album.
I liked a couple of the songs, as they were pretty catchy and easy to sing along with. With songs like “Up All Night” you can hear the familiar punk style of the band.
Neighborhoods got mixed reviews from music critics, getting ratings from 5-9/10 stars.
Despite some harsh reviews on the new album, Blink 182 will always be punk music legends.
Top Tracks To Listen To:
“Up All Night”
“After Midnight”
“Snake Charmer”
“Even If She Falls”
“Ghost On The Dance Floor”
“Wishing Well”