http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72BE-j1iNcw

So, basically, what do people think? Its been up for a few days now and there's been no thread. Tom Delonge said that it is a logical progression from the self titled, and I'd be inclined to agree. While there is still the obvious pop-punk framework, they have tried to incorporate both a darker rock vibe and some U2 sounding effects.

I didn't think much of it the first time I heard it (Blink 182 were one of my gateway bands when I was 11 so maybe I was looking at their past through rose tinted glasses), but I think it's growing on me. The sense of fun seems to be absent, and they seem to be mining a more cliched "serious" lyrical direction ("all these demons they keep me up all night"), but they have certainly not lost their knack for an obscenely catchy chorus. The heavy riff is very out of place, doesn't sit well with the song at all, but one could see how it would all work in a live setting. I cant help but miss the simple musical and lyrical delights of their more peurile efforts though (I will defend Whats My Age Again to the death) from their more purely pop punk days.

This sounds very much like RATM quite awkwardly jarring with Angels & Airwaves, and while it is a progression, I can't help but long for Blink doing what Blink do best: Immature Pop-Punk.

Anyway, what do you guys think?