The All American Rejects were originally set up in 1999 by two teenagers wanting to 'live the dream'. In true fairy-tale style, two young lads travelled from Oklahoma to New York without any money, but with a notebook of lyrics and big rock and roll dreams. Nick Wheeler (guitar) and Tyson Ritter (vocals/bass) were joined by Mike Kennerty (guitar) and Chris Gaylor (drums), and their debut single "Swing Swing" went platinum.

'Move Along' is their second album, and having never heard any of their previous music I have nothing to compare against. However, I do know that this album is very enjoyable, and got rid of my Monday Morning Blues!!

**Track 1 - 'Dirty Little Secret' - 3.14**

"I'll keep you my dirty little secret (dirty little secret)
Don't tell anyone,
Or you'll be just another regret (just another regret, I hope that you can keep it)
My dirty little secret
Who has to know... "

This song is very catchy, and a very lively way to open up the album. The simplicity of the drum beat and lyrics show off how great their guitar is in the background. A great song if you just want to let your hair down and forget about everything!!

**Track 2 - 'Stab My Back' - 3.10**

"The phone rings
And she screams
Stab my back
It's better when I bleed for you
Walk on me
It never was enough to do"

This song is slower and more sombre than the first, and not quite as catchy. The song is about his girlfriend wanting him to share her, an him being really upset about it. The lyrics are far more important that the drum or guitar in this song, and so they have made them less influential in he song.

**Track 3 - 'Move Along' - 4.00**

This opens up with the drum and guitar playing together for four bars before the lyrics start. It also starts quite slow, and then picks up tempo a bit.

"Speak to me, when all you got to keep is strong
Move along, move along like I know you do
And even when your hope is gone
Move along, move along just to make it through"

The chorus to this is also really catchy and is more 'rock' than what the previous to are, although it is still 'rock-pop' in my opinion.

**Track 4 - 'It Ends Tonight' - 4.04**

The start of this is a piano playing slow basic notes for 4 bars. The lyrics join in for another 8 bars, and then percussion joins in the background. Eventually a guitar also joins in.

"The walls start breathing
My minds unweaving
Maybe it's best you leave me alone.
A weight is lifted
On this evening
I give the final blow."

The beginning of this song surprised me - it came across as being very romantic (for want of a better word) very slow, and you can imagine kids slow-dancing to it at their school disco. The piano is gradually faded out and replaced by electric guitar, and the rock-pop genre returns. This song is very repetitive, and often I end up skipping it.

**Track 5 - 'Change Your Mind' - 3.39**

This song is also very catchy and quite funky. It's all about his girlfriend leaving him, and him trying to persuade her not to. The lyrics are again quite repetitive, but the background music changes lots so it isn't at all boring.

**Track 6 - Night Drive' - 3.25**

This is a lot more 'rock' than any of the other songs. The guitar plays a key role in the background, and the lyrics are more shouted than sang. The drum in the background has a repetitive beat which gives the song a great rhythm. I can almost imagine my sister trying to head-bang to it!!!

**Track 7 - '11.11pm' - 3.04**

Opens up with guitar and drum, but once the lyrics start it becomes mainly song and drum with a little guitar in the background. Not really fond of this song really, you can't hear the lyrics like you can in the others, it isn't catchy, and it is a little repetitive. Skipped...!

**Track 8 - 'Dance Inside' - 4.02**

"what makes the one to shake you down?
each touch belongs to each new sound
say now you want to shake me too
move down to me, slip into you"

This is quite a sweet song really, with surprisingly meaningful lyrics!! He really likes a girl, and it just talking to her. Again this is a bit of a piano song, but not quite as mellow as 'It Ends tonight' but still is quite slow and more pop than rock. As in the others, by the end of the song the tempo and dynamics of the song have picked up quite a bit.

**Track 9 - 'Top Of The World' - 3.25**

This starts up with an acoustic guitar, and turns into an electric guitar when the singing starts. This has a definite drum beat which makes the song have a great rhythm, and it is quite funky.

**Track 10 - 'Straightjacket Feeling' - 3.37**

"Yesterday was hell
But today I'm fine without you
Runaway this time without you
And all I ever thought you'd be
That face is tearing holes in me again"

This is a really sad song. Slow, but has strong lyrics, strong guitar, and quite a strong beat. Again with the school kids 'slow-dancing' at a school disco!! It's just the image I get in my head!!!

**Track 11 - 'I'm Waiting' - 3.37**

"Down there, you go always
See if I care faded
Down, don't you know where I'll be
'Cuz I'm here, on my own"

This is also a really really catchy song. Had a great beat for singing along to, and jamming to. I'm sat here at my desk at work, actually nodding my head along with this one. They all must think I'm mad!! The drum beat in this is repetitive and the rhythm is great. There's not a powerful guitar in this really until an instrumental about 3/4 of the way through which shows the talents off!

**Track 12 - 'Can't Take It' - 2.55**

This is the shortest song on the album, and in my opinion the least memorable for a 'rock' band. However, it is probably the best for its musical qualities. It is just voice and violin for a while at the beginning, and other string instruments join in. These are faded out and replaced with piano and some of the lyrics are harmonised with a second voice. The violin returns and it is just strings, piano and two voices. It isn't exactly musical genius but it probably took a lot more hard work than the others. It is not, however, at all in the slightest 'rock' and I'm not really sure why it's on the album!!!

**Track 13 BONUS TRACK - 'Night Drive' (Acoustic) - 3.50**

This is really funky version of Track 6 'Night Drive'. It is just singers, trying to harmonise with each other, an acoustic guitar, and I think some kind of drum. A piano joins in again. Is there such a think as country rock? This may be it!!!

"You wrecked my life
So I'm gonna have to drive all night"

**Track 14 BONUS TRACK - 'Eyelash Wishes' - 4.09**

Heavy percussion, guitar and the band singing along. Not really anything special or different to the other. No memorable lyrics either!!

I love this album, its a great lift when you're down and really gets you in a good mood. The lyrics on the most part aren't rocket science, but when you need cheering up you don't need complicated lyrics clogging up your brain!!! Although they would hate the comparison, it has to be said that AAR are not really much different to the likes of Blink 182, Green day, and other such bands. However, they do have a slightly different style and they are most enjoyable!!!

You can currently get this album for £9.99 from Amazon