It’s been four years since The All-American Rejects last “gave us hell” and now they’re back and ready to stir things up all over again. If you’ve been following this band since the release of their self-titled debut album in 2003 then you know that their sound has continuously progressed throughout the years. You won’t find songs that sound anything liked “Swing Swing” or “It Ends Tonight” on Kids In The Street (though they have managed to keep their writing style the same). So how will fans like the bands new sound?
Kids In The Street is the most ambitious album the band has made to date. Instead of staying true to their alternative roots and releasing more catchy songs like “Dirty Little Secret” and “Move Along” they stepped outside of their comfort zone and tried on several new sounds. You may not fall in love with this new album during your first (or second) listen, but if you give it a chance you’re sure to find The Rejects have matured…and they managed to make a good album in the process!
Check out my track by track review below!!
Vocal Delivery: 3.5/5
Lyrical Content: 3.5/5
Overall Production: 4/5
Someday’s Gone – “Someday’s Gone” is the first track we got to hear from this album, and I hated it. It sounded nothing like their last three albums and I was convinced I was going to hate everything about this new album. This song was the perfect way to introduce fans to this album, however, because it squeezes all of the major elements from the entire album into three minutes and twenty five seconds…A bigger, more aggressive sound, and in your face lyrics (full of drug and sex references). I hated it at first, but it’s definitely grown on me, because this song is a clear sign of this bands growth. 4/5
Beekeeper’s Daughter – The band tells a tale of smashin’ and dashin’ in “Beekeeper’s Daughter.” (That was completely inappropriate, sorry). The tune about refusing to settle down and be monogamous is the closest this album gets to sounding anything like When The World Comes Down. This song has the same pop-rock sound as “Gives You Hell,” but it’s not nearly as catchy. Lyrically, however, it wins hands down. The whole “you’re a pretty little flower, and I’m a busy little bee” is a pretty clever way of saying “I only want to have sex with you” don’t you think? 3/5
Fast & Slow – I rarely get the urge to put on a frilly skirt and go swing dancing, but this song would make anyone want to. “Fast & Slow” has a fun beat and quirky lyrics “light my fuse and your body explodes.” It’s pretty hard not to fall in love with this song. It’s catchy, cute and the perfect tribute to classic Rock & Roll. 3/5
Heartbeat Slowing Down – This song is yet another example of this bands growth (although some of the lyrics bother me). If you were to take some of the songs from their previous album and give them a bigger sound this is exactly what you would get. It’s typical in the sense that it’s another angry song about love gone wrong…but the arrangement of this song really takes it to the next level. 3.5/5
Walk Over Me – First off, I just want to mention that this beat reminds me of The Black Keys’ “Howlin For You” at certain parts (especially the beginning) and that alone was enough to make me love it. As if that’s not enough the lyrics, melody, and harmony in this song are seriously bad a**. Legit. The band continues to prove that they can appeal to the punk rock crowd with aggressive, guitar driven tracks like this one. 4/5
Out The Door - Another song filled with metaphors of love being like a drug, and angry goodbyes over a trippy beat. This song doesn’t work as well as some of the other tracks, but I will admit Tyson’s vocals fit perfectly over this aggressive track. 2.5/5
Kids In The Street – The band reminisces on the days when they were young(er) and reckless with “Kids In The Street.” It’s not my favorite on the album, but it’s one of those songs that perfectly embodies youthful fun, and for that reason alone I have a feeling it’s going to be a fan favorite. 2.5/5
Bleed Into Your Mind – The band continues to experiment with different sounds, harmonies and styles, while sticking to their usual lyrical formula of cleverly dark metaphors with “Bleed Into Your Mind.” “Bleed Into Your Mind” didn’t catch my attention right away (even though, once again, the beat is INSANE), but I like it more with each listen so maybe it’s a grower. 3/5
Gonzo - Although I loved the instrumentation in “Gonzo” I wasn’t too crazy about the song as a whole….until I heard the ending. The band plays it calm throughout this reflective song before erupting into an ending that’s completely chaotic….and euphoric. 3.5/5
Affection – The band shows off their vulnerable side with dark metaphors, an orchestra and harmonies in “Affection.” On an album full of loud, aggressive rock tracks, this song definitely sticks out, but in a good way. This song manages to remind me of old Hollywood films AND Taking Back Sunday at the same time….and I don’t even know how that’s possible. 3.5/5
I For You – Similar to “Affection” this song slows things down. The band continues to cut deep with lyrics like “you’re a sinner, but the devil even turned you down,” over the simple acoustic track. This song would’ve fit perfectly on When The World Comes Down, and I absolutely love it. I adore their uptempo songs, but it’s something about them unplugging and giving raw feelings that just makes my heart flutter. 3/5
Have you purchased Kids In The Street yet? Did you like it? What are your favorite (and least favorite) songs from the album?