The World is Watching
Angels & Airwaves broadcast peace and love from Nashville
by Trace William Cowen

photo by Trace William Cowen

Mathematically, I had to do it. Angels & Airwaves, free show (the annual Journey’s Backyard BBQ), three-hour drive to Nashville, so-so shopping mall – it made too much sense to ignore. So, after a quick Waffle House breakfast (honestly, the atmosphere alone can fill your stomach) perfectly complimented with four cups of coffee, I turned my girlfriend’s Camry gently in the direction of Nashville…well, Franklin, Tennessee. Thankfully, I kept a mildly detailed mental journal of the day ahead and will do my absolute best to transcribe it here.

Angels & Airwaves will premiere their new video for “Breathe” today exclusively on ModLife .

A new interview with Tom Delong (Angels & Airwaves, ex. Blink 182) can be read here.

Artist: Angels & Airwaves
Album: I-Empire
Label: Geffen Records
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: November 6, 2007

Overall: 7.5
Music: 8.5
Lyrics: 6
Production: 8

In 2005, when Blink-182 went on an indefinite hiatus and Angels & Airwaves was introduced, Tom DeLonge began advocating his new band by surrounding it with unprecedented hype. Everyone sat around and waited for what he alleged to be the “greatest rock band ever”. Needless to say, the debut was substandard and it did not live up to its claims. Similar to this 2006 effort We Don’t Need To Whisper, the sophomore release I-Empire uses prodigious and enchanting sounds, layered with an inclusive conceptual message. While the debut Whisper focused more on leaving one’s realm to find another, I-Empire concentrates on finding one’s self in its own royal domain. Although I-Empire does not completely miss the mark, its swagger consists of top heavy glimmering synth and an overabundance of DeLonge’s melancholy vocals.