Product Description

Tom DeLonge of Blink-182 fame presides over the second album from his California stadium rock experiment Angels & Airwaves, 'I-Empire'. After the bombastic politically-inspired excess of their first record (2006's 'We Don't Have To Whisper'), 'I-Empire' sees Angels And Airwaves harness a tighter, more efficient sound akin to the punk-pop dynamics of DeLonge's former group. Thematically this release deals with the aftermath of the supposed artistic and personal re-birth DeLonge experienced after leaving Blink-182 and starting Angels &Airwaves. Once again taking on the role of producer confirms his dictatorial creative control over this ambitious project.

Track Listing

1. Call To Arms
2. Everything's Magic
3. Breathe
4. Love Like Rockets
5. Sirens
6. Secret Crowds
7. Star Of Bethlehem
8. True Love
9. Lifeline
10. Jumping Rooftops
11. Rite Of Spring
12. Heaven
13. It Hurts

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4702 in Music
• Released on: 2007-11-05
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 57 minutes

Customer Reviews

Whoa!
So, as an hardcore Blink-182 fan, I was deeply upset like the rest of us when they split up. I have since listened to both +44 and AVA's albums and whilst I thought +44 were just another punk band, I had a different opinion of Angels & Airwaves.

I bought We Don't Need To Whisper on the basis of good reviews and that one of the Blink-182 members was in it. Personally, I loved it but felt it lacked alot of the enthusiasm of the Blink-182 days. Whilst it was epic and well produced, it never really achieved the heights of what it probably set out to be.

And then....

I-Empire was released. And to be quite blunt, this is simply amazing music. Whatever expectations of the first album were, this shows just how hard working and intelligent these boys are. Much mellower yet more compact than the first attempt, I-Empire excludes alot of the epic intros whilst still maintaing the cinematic approach that AVA always had.

Call To Arms is an exception: at 5:05, it has an epic intro but is quickly followed by miltary style drumming and a chorus fit for arena concerts, something these guys will be doing soon if they keep up this kind of work. Everything's Magic brings back the Blink days of pop rock whilst Breathe is a cool ballad-esque song that you can fall for so easily.

Secret Crowds is by far the best song on the album. Crunching riffs and excellent percussion followed by another one of those awesome arena choruses make this the selling point of the album. If you have a tough decision as to whether or not to be this album and you have heard this song, buy it on the basis of that song's quality!! Because the whole album is up to it's standards.

This is really really good stuff and if the AVA boys can keep up this kind of quality then role on Album No.3!!

Lovin it
I just have to say that after hearing the first album shortly before the 2nd I really do love both! I'd give specific favourite tracks if I thought any were much better than the rest but the thing is I like them all! Recommended for any Blink/Boxcar/+44 fans!

Decent album
Firstly id like to say that im normally a hard rock/ metal guy so 4 stars from me is actually quite a feat for a band that plays this kind of music. This is a really easy listning album, switch it on and drift in and out of the music. Some good lyrics and a nice mix of guitars and wierd synth effects give it a nice all-round sound.

Now the tracks:
Call to arms: [10] What a start, this is one of the best songs on here, great all rounder.

Everythings magic: [9] Another great song, catchy chorus.

Breathe: [6] A bit flat in my opinion, didnt make me want to listen again.

Love like rockets: [7] Starts interestingly with a nice long intro, verses are decent but not my favourite chorus.

Sirens: [7] Sice to hear some normal guitar at the beginning but as usual it doesnt last long before its joined by some irritating honking synth noise. Still, a strong vocal performance in this one, Average chorus.

Secret crowds: [10] By far outshines all other tracks, other than "Call to arms", this is superb. You'll find yourself singing the chorus "Let me feel you, carry you higher, Watch our words spread hope like fire." over and over again. Perfection.

Star of bethlehem and True love: [7] Come as a pair,star of Bethlehem is simply a very long intro for true love. Mixed feelings towards this one. Although its a nice idea, i think that angels and airwaves have tried to imitate Muse a bit here and have sadly failed. Where as muse's songs change and adapt the whole time, a bit like a classical symphony, star of bethlehem is the same riff over and over again with almost no changes. Having said this, true love's main theme is pretty catchy so maybe just skip star of Bethlehem!

Lifeline: [9] Great, soft melodic song. very subtle instrumentals allow the vocals to shine through.

Jumping rooftops: [4] A bit pointless, 46 second track with no singing and the same riff repeated about 20 times. Maybe the band got a bit bored or something.

Rite of Spring: [9] Another great one, superb lyrics in the verses and a catchy chorus. One of those ones that you'll want to listen to again and again.

Heaven: [7] A soft ending to the album, plods along a bit,not the best and not the worst.