ALBUM REVIEW – All Time Low “Don’t Panic”

Like any other Warped teenager back in the day, I was a huge fan of All Time Low, especially Jack’s “skunk” hair, so you can imagine my excitement when their newest CD, “Don’t Panic,” was finally released.  Before I even talk about the music, I just want to draw attention to their album stream/lyrics video.  It is by far one of the most original things I have ever seen.  The stream has cartoon versions of each band member placed in an end of the world scenario.  How cool is that?

As for their music, I love each song with its catchy tune and meaningful lyrics.  The first song “Reckless and The Brave” is like pop punk’s version of Taylor Swift’s song “Long Live.” Yes, I did just compare All Time Low to Taylor Swift,…insane huh? It’s a song with a feel good tune that gets the crowd jumping.   The second track “Backseat Serenade” features former Hey Monday front woman Cassadee Pope.  Pope and Gaskarth’s blended vocals are perfection and candy to my ears.  Another song “If these sheets were states” had perfect metaphors that I wish I could create on my own, so that I could tell a certain someone “If these sheets were the states and you were miles away, I’d fold them end over end to bring you closer to me because I don’t sleep at all without you pressed up against me.”  How romantic would I be with those lyrics?

Moving on, “Somewhere in Neverland” is by far my favorite song by All Time Low. Period.  I’m a lyric person and listening to the song made me feel like I was listening to a Peter Pan-esque story.  I started rocking out to this song the first time I played it, pretending to know the words before it even ended.  Jason Vena (formerly from Acceptance) joined the band for “Outlines.” Lyrically, it is one of my favorites from All Time Low, and I hadn’t even realized it was co-written by Patrick Stump (Fall Out Boy.)  FOB fans and ATL fans can come together and rejoice with this track! I love the pop and rock influences, which blend together to create a great mix.

I can picture the crowd at an ATL show going crazy for “For Baltimore.”  Great single choice for the band!  Last, but not least, “Paint You Wings” is something I would sing to a boyfriend to get rid of him, minus the “princess” reference.  I love rocking out to this new album, and I give the guys a lot of credit for all of the work and creativity that went into this.  I give the album 4.5/5 stars. It is one of All Time Low’s greatest works. I think Hustlers everywhere will all agree!

Track Listing:

1              The Reckless and the Brave

2              Backseat Serenade

3              If These Sheets Were States

4              Somewhere in Neverland

5              So Long Soldier

6              The Irony of Choking on a Lifesaver

7              To Live and Let Go

8              Outlines

9              Thanks to You

10           For Baltimore

11           Paint You Wings

12           So Long, and Thanks for All the Booze