Let’s face it, a blink-182 album without founding member and co-songwriter Tom Delonge was a risky proposition, especially over a decade beyond their commercial and creative peak of the late ‘90s and early 2000s. Despite the band descending into a quagmire of breakups, uncertainty and lacklustre songwriting over the last 10 years, a new full length album featuring Alkaline Trio’s Matt Skiba was agreed upon.
At their core, blink-182 have always been a band that could deliver straight to the point pop punk songs with enough energy and humour to crossover to the mainstream. The end of the band’s original tenure in 2005 essentially marked the end of pop punk’s late ‘90s revival.
The last few years have clearly been a time for reflection and clarity for blink-182, with the departure of Delonge leaving bassist and co lead vocalist Mark Hoppus as the de facto leader and songwriter of the band.
At it’s core, California can be summed up as a classic blink-182 album; an adequate companion to fan favourites Enema of the State and Take Off Your Pants and Jacket. There are no experimentations and every song is on par with everything the band has proven to be within their strengths and capabilities. The fast pop punk songs – Rabbit Hole, She’s Out of Her Mind -are catchy, the pop songs – No Future, San Diego -are slicker than an oil spill, and the joke songs – Built This Pool, Brohemian Rhapsody – are worth a few deserved chuckles. There’s even a few serious songs thrown in the mix, yet thankfully steering clear of the Delonge helmed melodramatic messes of previous albums.
Ultimately, California is a record by a band that has decided to take no more risks and play to its strengths. At the end of the day, a safe and nostalgic effort is the most sensible thing this band could do.
BY JOE HANSEN
