Coming out of Lutherville-Timonium, Maryland just outside of Baltimore, All Time Low are back on the scene with their latest effort, Dirty Work. The follow up to 2009's Nothing Personal and their major label debut on Interscope Records finds the group hitting at a different angle this time around, striking at the nerve center of the brain with amazing pop-punk rhythms and lyrics that make you want to go out and have a good time.
The album opens up with "Do You Want Me (Dead?)" a budding. diverse pop-punk tune that brings out lead singer Alex Gaskarth to take stage front and center with his beautiful and melodic voice blending in seamlessly with the cavalcade of guitars and drums found in great abundance here. The album's first single "I Feel Like Dancin'" is the ultimate guilty pleasure tune with lyrical references to Ke$ha "I think some dude just grabbed my junk/ now I know how Ke$ha must be feelin'", and brilliant production with co-writing credits from Weezer's Rivers Cuomo making this song the ultimate partystarter for your summer barbecues. "Guts" starts off with a midtempo groove before settling into a comfortable pattern full of synthesizers and other assorted instruments. Guitarist Jack Barakat sounds terrific here with his guitar expertise setting him apart from his other peers in the scene. My favorite song off the album is "Time Bomb", a pop-punk, synth-laden delight with Alex's vocals sounding top notch amid the sheer abundance of guitars and bassist Zack Merrick stepping up to the plate with his exquisite bass licks among one of the highlights of a brilliant tune from start to finish.
The disc's second half kicks off with "Under A Paper Moon" a loud, fast pop-punk train with an assortment of rhythms designed to have you singing along to every word. Drummer Rian Dawson makes sure the drums are pounding and getting through to the listener here on this one. "No Idea" brings down the tempo a bit with a toned down rocker that allows Alex to show off his vocal chops without the aid of Auto Tune that so many other bands and rappers rely on these days. "A Daydream Away" is a pleasant, acoustic styled ballad that is the perfect summertime love song and is the perfect display for Alex's voice to just coast the song along at ease. We're getting ready to end things here with "That Girl", a happy go lucky pop-punk delight with a bevy of rhythms that are primed and ready for the summertime. The disc's finale "Heroes" is a fast paced, straight to the point tune that closes out the disc with a chorus that you will remember and look back fondly on this disc. All Time Low have been one of the great success stories in pop-punk music, formed while out of high school and signed to Emerald Moon Records in 2004 where they released their debut EP The Three Words to Remember in Dealing With The End, and ultimately signed a record deal with Hopeless Records in 2006 where they released the Put Up or Shut Up EP. I'm so happy that these guys finally made it to the big leagues and are getting the attention they deserve from their fans.
To sum it all up, a terrific and well rounded effort from All Time Low, who have crafted the ultimate guilty pleasure delight for the summertime which in actuality, there is nothing guilty at all about liking this album. Crank this album loud and proud when you're out driving around this summer!
Album Score: 4/5
Track Listing:
- Do You Want Me (Dead?)
- I Feel Like Dancin'
- Forget About It
- Guts
- Time Bomb
- Just The Way I'm Not
- Under A Paper Moon
- Return The Favor
- No Idea
- A Daydream Away
- That Girl
- Heroes
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