Blink 182 are a band for whom most either love or hate. Their late 90's/early 00's brand of catchy yet immature punk-rock either floated your proverbial boat, or grated after one listen.
It was for that very reason that the announcement early this year of an indefinite hiatus for the band left people with numerous differing reactions. Some said "good riddance" to a band that'd failed to ever produce a serious moment in their 10-year career, and others balled their eyes out over the imminent loss of a band they loved very much; of course, I fell into the latter (technically speaking).
See, whilst Blink were far from the professionals that fellow punk-rockers Green Day have come to be, they still made catchy infectious anthems that were guaranteed to be ingrained into your skull after one or two spins of the disk. Mark, Tom and Travis complemented each other perfectly; Tom's enthusiastic vocals covering for Mark's somewhat monotonous tone, all the while having one of the finest drummers of all time behind them in one Travis Barker.
The split itself had indeed been
on the cards for some considerable time; the side project of Box Car Racer, a band which included both Tom and Travis, was really just one of the final nails in a coffin which had taken a fair kicking over the past few years. Aside from their mostly immature nature, Blink 182, the bands self titled album from 2003 showed fleeting glimpses of a new Blink, a more mature Blink; but it simply wasn't meant to be.
'Greatest Hits' brings together 17 of Blinks finest moments - from the scratchy imperfect 'Carousel' and 'Dammit', to the more recent 'Feeling This' - it's a collection sure to please the majority of the bands fans, myself included. After a few plays, it becomes all to apparent that, despite the amount of flack the band received over the years, they never failed to produce on the singles/hits front.
After a lengthy intro, one which highlights amongst other things Barker's abilities as a drummer, 'Carousel' sees Tom lamenting his loneliness - "I guess its just another night alone" - This isn't Blink being immature either, it's simply Blink being Blink. Lifted from the bands Dude Ranch album of 1997, Dammit, easily one of the bands best tracks, gives Mark his first taste of lead vocals; and he doesn't fail, coming to the realisation that "Well I guess this is growing up".
It's easy to look at Blink and think 'how on earth did they get a recording contract when they did', but after listening to the smash hits that were 'What's My Age Again' and 'All The Small Things' you realise that Blink got the contract because, amongst other things, they were fun, comedic, slapstick; and it was intended. "Nobody likes you when you're twenty-three, And you still act like you're in Freshman year" - 'What's My Age Again' showing that not only do Blink do what they do very well, but they throw in the odd true sentiment to boot.
"I never thought I'd die alone, I laughed the loudest who'd have known. I traced the cord back to the wall, No wonder it was never plugged in at all" - 'Adam's Song' touches rather gently on suicide, depicting both the person and the act involved regarding a young boy who'd simply had enough. It shows a serious side to Blink, a side that continued on another of their finest moments, 'Stay Together For The Kids' - "What stupid poem could fix this home, I'd read it everyday" - as before, the band go serious, talking about growing up in a dysfunctional home, something to which many can relate.
One thing which does become all to apparent, is that the bands newer material (i.e. 2003's self titled release) isn't actually as good as on first inspection. Although better produced, and lyrically more mature, the likes of 'Down' and 'Always' feel relatively mundane, failing to really gain any momentum throughout - a statement which can't be levelled at fellow newies 'Feeling This' and 'I Miss You' the former a trademark Blink track, and the latter a 70's inspired ballad that pushes all the right buttons.
Fans are treated to a solitary moment of 'new' Blink music at the last, 'Another Girl, Another Planet'. A tongue in cheek The Only Ones cover, it's nothing to write home about, but it shows Blink at their humorous best; some would say they're simply having the last laugh.
Greatest Hits shows Blink 182 for what they are, a trio of young guys that truly loved what they did. From 'Carousel' to 'Feeling This', from 'Dammit' to 'I Miss You', the band gave the late 90's a severe kick in the shins, and had some fun in the meantime. Often ridiculed, Mark, Tom and Travis can count the honours; 16 million album sales, numerous awards, sell out tours worldwide - I for one, will miss them a hell of a lot.
Here's to the memories.
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Gonna Be Fine) (Radio Edit) What's My Age Again? (Album Version) All The Small Things (Album Version) Adam's Song (Album Version) Man Overboard (Album Version - Tom ...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
Advantages: All your favourite blink songs bundled into one awesome collection Disadvantages: Not as "special edition" as i would have hoped - lack of poster etc
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Nov 29th, 2005
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