Say what you will about Tom Delonge. He'll have heard it all before, and so will his followers. This album wasn't made for his critics to prove them wrong, or for former bandmates Travis Barker and Mark Hoppus to prove what he could do without them. This album was made for himself and himself alone- a shedding of skin, a statement, a progression from taking off his pants and jacket and singing of milfs and pirates, and into a whole new stage of his life and career. To many listeners, he failed to make much of an impact at all. But to these ears? Delonge could not have evolved with more style, or in any more exciting a fashion.
The ten songs featured on this record are breathtaking, vast and occasionally adrenalin-fuelled feelgood rock songs. On paper, sure, it's nothing special. There's something about AVA, however, that I just cannot describe. A sense of belonging, a connection, a bridged gap between listener and artist. "The Adventure" is an anthem complete with Edge guitar and urgent drums, "Distraction" is an atmospheric parade of layered synth and guitar, "It Hurts" a dizzying recollection of an affair which gives the music a distinctly honest and human touch...these are songs that are all a part of Delonge's master plan. The songs don't sit on the fence, either; you're either going to hold these songs to your heart or discard them completely.
I, for one, choose the former.
Just like Tom Delonge, you can say what you will.
He and I won't give a damn, that's for sure. |
