We Don't Need To Whisper - Angels & Airwaves > Reviews > AvA- Were whispering behind there backs

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Average
Lyrics	Mediocre
Quality and consistency of tracks	Consistently bad
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Not applicable
Value for Money	Very Poor

Advantages:	Average
Disadvantages:	Read the list in my review !

Recommend to potential buyers:

no

Full review

"We Don't Need To Whisper" is the debut Angels and Airwaves album. I went and bought this the day and came out after keeping up with all the hype and stories of Tom Delonge and Mark Hoppus. I had read the interviews with Tom Delonge and quotes such as "I have now reached musical perfection". I found myself disappointed.

Contents:-

About the Band
Lyrics
Music
Originality/Influences
Track List with My Ratings
Best Tracks
Discography
Should You Buy It?
Footnote

About the Band-

Genre: Allegedly they are Alternative, but isnt everything?

Members

Lead Vocals and Backing Guitar
Tom Delonge (blink-182, Boxcar Racer)

Lead Guitar
David Kennedy (Over My Dead Body, Hazen Street, Boxcar Racer)

Bass Guitar

Ryan Sinn (The Distillers)
Matt Wachter (30 Seconds To Mars)

Ryan Sinn was the bass player and recorded the bass on this album but left shortly after it's release and has been replaced by Matt Wachter.

Drums
Adam Willard (Rocket From The Crypt, The Offspring, Special Goodness)

With this impressive line-up you would expect the debut album to be impressive, but after listening to the album you will be surprised. Not only that but for the type of music Angels and Airwaves play i was shocked to find there isn't a keyboard/synth player.

Lyrics

Lyrically this album stands out as it uses some quite profound lines, but this is shadow by the great number of basic lines that a 6 year old could well have written for them. Also despite the fact that this is recorded and will have been worked on for months, Tom's voice sounds weak in places, just losing that finished feel to the album.

Music

THe album uses a number of understated but effective guitar riffs, complimented by basic basslines. The most surprising thing about the music on this album is the amount of effects and synths used. Every single track on the album has a techno feel to it, each with a host of effects and keyboard. THe overall feel of the music is very mellow and not what you would expect from a band made up of rock and metal musicians.

Originality/Influences

This album is original in comparison to other bands, with a completely different sound to a lot of other music. This could be considered a good or a bad thing, you decide. On the other hand many of the tracks on the album do sound the same and unfortunatly once you've heard one of the tracks, you've heard them all.

Track List with My Ratings

1. Valkyrie Missile 5/10
2. Distraction 4/10
3. Do It For Me Now 6.5/10
4. The Adventure 7/10
5. A Little's Enough 6/10
6. The War 6.5/10
7. The Gift 4/10
8. It Hurts 6/10
9. Good Day 4/10
10.Start The Machine 2/10
11.The Machine (Bonus Track) 4/10
12.Do It For Me Now Live 7/10

Best Tracks

Normally I will put around 3 or 4 tracks but I must admit on this album I can only find one:

The Adventure

Has a simple but effective guitar intro, and some nice effects. Yet once again they have done the trademark long intro, with vocals not starting until 1:13. It is one of the most rock-influenced songs except the mellow chorus. Lyrics are an attempt at profound, but it isn't pulled off well. It feels lyrically weak. Best drum track on the album.

Album Discography

We Don't Need To Whisper (2006)
I-Empire (October 2007)

Should You Buy It?

It is worth a listen but I wouldn't pay for it. I recommend listening to the tracks on there MySpace and deciding based on this review and what you hear.

Footnote:
I'm quite new to reviewing on this website (i've been a member for 3 days!) It would be realllllly helpful if you could please comment and rate this review. I would be more than happy to hear advice and constructive criticism, and would be happy to read and comment your reviews. Cheers!

Sean