Photo courtesy of Hopeless Records.Label: Hopeless Records
Release: Oct. 9
Pitchforks: 4/5
The guys of All Time Low have come a long way since its days of chasing skirts and popping champagne.
From the straight up pop-punk goodness of “So Wrong, It’s Right,” to the catchy hooks of “Dirty Work,” singer Alex Gaskarth, guitarist Jack Barakat, bassist Zack Merrick and drummer Rian Dawson have taken their new album, “Don’t Panic,” back to the group’s roots.
Although the band recently signed again with Hopeless Records, this release was produced independently of a label — it also contains some of its best material to date.
Opening with a track titled, “The Reckless and the Brave,” All Time Low proves it has not forgotten how to write a killer anthem. “Backseat Serenade,” the second song, is the holder of catchiest chorus on the album: “Backseat serenade / Dizzy hurricane / Oh god I’m sick of sleeping alone.”
The band seems to be trying very hard to make sure it says everything it’s feeling without holding back, as made obvious on the cleverly named track, “The Irony of Choking on a Lifesaver.”
“Don’t Panic” takes all of the great things from All Time Low’s previous records and combines them in great songwriting, heartfelt lyrics, driving guitars and stomping beats. Gaskarth’s sharp songwriting style and wit brings a new dimension to “Don’t Panic.”
One of the major criticisms of All Time Low’s previous album was that the band had “sold out” while trying to bring its music to a wider audience, including radio. This time around, the band does not shy away from its radio potential in tracks such as “If These Sheets Were States” and “For Baltimore,” a song dedicated to the band’s hometown.
This album even features guest appearances, including Jason Vena of Acceptance and Cassadee Pope, who is formerly of Hey Monday and is also Dawson’s girlfriend. Vena’s spot on “Outlines” enhances the electro-pop-influenced song, making it a memorable addition to the album.
“Don’t Panic” is solid proof of All Time Low’s growth as a band. It is an album that can, and should, be played from start to finish, and contains no filler tracks that would distract from the excellent instrumentation and lyrical content.
All Time Low brings this new music to the Marquee Theatre on Nov. 4, with support from The Summer Set, The Downtown Fiction and Hit the Lights.
