The All-American Rejects - Move Along

I am not typically a man with a sweet tooth, but just this morning I woke up with a massive desire for donuts. I picked up a couple sweet bombs on my way into work, and as I sat at my desk with sugar and coffee, it was one of the best breakfasts I’ve had in a while. It may not make sense, but that is everything I feel about this album. I listened to the All-American Rejects’ first album, and, while I found a track or two I truly did love, for the most part it left me disappointed. I like my meat and potatoes rock and my refined indie darlings, so today’s sugary pop/punk doesn’t usually grab me, but after popping this disc in, I was in love. Like the glazed donuts on my desk, it wasn’t my usual meal, but it was exactly what I was craving. Opening up with the single “Dirty Little Secret,” the disc instantly gets your feet tapping and starts to wear out your ankles by following it up with “Stab My Back” and the title cut “Move Along,” which should very much be the album's next radio single. The tracks mainly focus on love and relationships, going from the pissed off “Night Drive” to the happier days of “Dance Inside,” and the desire to make a night last forever in “11:11 P.M.” Even when the band slows things down, they succeed in making it focused and tight, as in “It Ends Tonight” or “Straightjacket Feeling,” a track about going crazy over someone that showcases another side of the band very nicely. Wrapping it all up is the album ending “Can’t Take It,” filled with strings and piano that really add to the song in place of guitars instead of appearing as a gimmick or unnecessary layer on top of them. This album is just non-stop from beginning to end. If I were in high school and bumming around all summer, this would be the disc I would be blaring in my truck for the majority of it. Your attention never waivers, and your foot never stops tapping - exactly what a summer pop record should be. Unfortunately, a lot of people will dismiss this as crappy pop/punk or label it as a guilty pleasure even if they do enjoy it, but there is nothing guilty about a rock album that is tight, focused, insanely enjoyable, and just plan old fun. I think I’ll take another dozen please. [www.allamericanrejects.com]