All Time Low - Don't Panic (ALBUM REVIEW)
The new album by All Time Low titled Don’t Panic is not really so much a return to roots but it’s more of a return to focus. It’s not that 2011’s Dirty Work was all that terrible (even though I consider it to be ATL’s worst album…but it still made my best albums of the year list) it was just an un-focused project trying to conquer too many sounds and genres. Some of the songwriting and lyrical depth was also considered suspect by many listeners as being too lazy or too generic. The good songs were good, but it left a lot of head scratching moments after a listen or two. Don’t Panic remedies this as it builds on All Time Low’s strengths and seems more cohesive. The tracks flow in a way that makes sense and some of the stagnation of Dirty Work seems to be gone as many of the songs hit hard and stay energetic.
This album reminds me a lot of Blink’s transition from Enema Of The State to Takeoff Your Pants and Jacket or New Found Glory’s Self-Titled to Sticks And Stones. The album is still clean and leans heavy on pop sensibilities, but it is slightly edgier sounding in production and tone. I think this is the album the fans have been waiting for since the bands breakout album So Wrong It’s Right. Those who considered Nothing Personal a little too glossy but liked the refinement found in the songwriting, and preferred So Wrong It’s Right’s more pop/punk edged production should find this album to be a perfect blend of the old and new song writing style and production style All Time Low have used on past albums. I can hear a few things that Dirty Work might have influenced, but mostly it is minor. This to me is the album that should have followed Nothing Personal.
It’s an album of hits and the flow is great. It’s got the catchy songs that get stuck in your head and the fun sing along moments you look for in a pop/rock/punk album. I think with this album All Time Low is starting to cement their relevancy to the scene and their longevity as a band.
I criticized the generic promotional photo album artwork for Dirty Work. I’m happy to see Don’t Panic has some “real” artwork. Nothing Personal is still the most eye catching artwork the band have had (IMO) but Don’t Panic’s artwork fits really well with the album and is nicely done.
Unfortunately, if you’ve always hated All Time Low there isn’t much here to sway you save for an appearance by Jason Vena (Acceptance) or Anthony Raneri (Bayside). Those appearances might entice a few new listeners, but ultimately it probably still won’t sway any haters. The band seems to have found their groove and you are either in or out at this point. If you’re a fan you can be happy knowing the band is back to what they do best and have made one of the more complete albums of their career.
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