Album Review

Angels and Airwaves – “Love” Double album

• 24th Nov 2011

Angels and Airwaves initially released the first Love album in early 2010 (Valentine’s Day, to be precise.), though never on a disc – it was only available as an online download. And a free download at that, by the band themselves through their website.

Later came the announcement that Love Part 1 was to accompany a film, and was also part of a double album. Love Part 2 was to be released in November 2011, as a physical copy. Along with Love Part 2 was, for the first time in disc format, was Love Part 1. Angels and Airwaves first double album could be found in most good record stockists.

Now, although these two records came out nearly a year and a half apart, they are to be taken as one album. And, this begs the question, how many genuinely good double albums are there out in the world?

As a double album, these two discs do work. Granted, they are each keeping in with AVA’s stead style of “space rock”. And, with a band whose fans are broken straight down the middle, it is easy to see how one might make this out to be the greatest double album of all time, while another might question why Tom DeLonge even continues this band with Blink-182 back on track, and in form.

The first disc, Love Part 1, opens with the grandiose instrumental Et Ducit Mundum Per Luce, which loosely translates to “lead the world by light”. This sonic opener is, as stated, in keeping with AVA’s space rock style, and from thee kicks into The Flight Of Apollo – see more space references?

Lyrically, DeLonge stays on track with previous efforts in questioning life, love and everything else that wide-eyed teenagers wonder. He does, however, bring more experience to this task than most of the bands in this genre. “Life doesn’t hurt, it shouldn’t hurt, so badly” he sings through The Fight Of Apollo.

The next track, Young London, could have been taken direct from the bands previous effort, I-Empire. Its opening wailing guitar sets up another typical AVA track, with lyrics like “we can see / how we’re all connected” and “we’re all scared / as death to die” are somewhat similar to what we’ve seen and heard before. That said, this is one of the stronger tracks on the first disc, a defining arena rock song that was clearly written to be heard live.

Another track worth listening to is Epic Holiday. The only problem some might find with a track like this is the overwhelming opening to it. The song doesn’t actually start for over a minute, over worked comes to mind. But, outside of this, it is a solid pop-rock song showcasing each of the band member’s qualities.

This is followed by Hallucinations, the first single of the album. Once again, a solid pop-rock song, with overwhelming guitars and DeLonge’s voice transcending the lot. But one track to look out for is Clever Love, in my opinion probably the strongest song on the first disc. Starting slow before keyboards come in while DeLonge exclaims “You’re all I desire”. The song keeps building upon itself before erupting with the final chorus in a classic display of why this band has so many worshipping followers.

Album (disc?) closer is Some Origins Of Fire has We Don’t Need To Whisper written all over it, with DeLonge telling the listener that “We all are love / and love is hard / it breaks my heart”, as David Kennedy’s guitar closes the track to a whisper, leaving us waiting for disc to start up.

And does it ever. The first track of Love Part 2, Saturday Love, opens in a melodic display that would not be unwelcome opening a film. I must mention, these two albums are part-and-parcel with a film, which is also titled Love. This track was used during the trailer for the film and, no doubt, in the film at some point also.

After the tuneful opening, Saturday Love blissfully turns into what is known as an AVA song, with those recognized guitars the fans of this band have grown accustomed to.

Following Saturday Love is Surrender, opening with synths in a way AVA are not previously established. This song is more than just a catchy tune, leaving the listener moving with the synthetics while roaring along with DeLonge as he exclaims “I will not surrender”, only to bring it back to usual AVA territory with the chorus, which starts with the line “When God falls fast asleep…”

The third track from Love Part 2 is Anxiety, the first single released from this disc, is slightly more pop orientated than most of the tracks on the album, the accompanying music video featuring images from the aforementioned film. As a song, it is strong and a welcome addition to the album, but welcome because of its difference.

One song on this album which stands out is Dry Your Eyes. It’s opening aggressive guitar work has it stand out from the others, while once the song kicks into drive it is capable of standing next to any track that AVA have released previously. Lyrically, DeLonge goes back to basics; “I am so damn sick of trying” is sung before he gets into the chorus, which culminates in his singing of “Today is the day it ends”.

This as Adam Willard’s last album with the band as he parted ways with the guys shortly before its release. It is on this track, Dry Your Eyes, that he showcases his talent and why he has been such an influence in the band. The Offspring alum will be missed as his seat, literally, is taken by Ilan Rubin, formerly of Lostprophets.

The Revelator is, in my opinion, the best track from the second disc. Opening with Matt Wachter’s bass line, each other band member slowly joins in culminating in a fine piece of work, tied together with Delonge’s melancholic lyrics of “Pray(ing) for the end to come” and “Wait(ing) for the hounds of Hell”

While One Last Thing draws comparisons to the latest U2 record, it is the shortest non-instrumental track that AVA have released in quite some time. The track itself stands out due to this style, and also due to DeLonge stepping outside his usual comfort zone with his singing as he exclaims “I found / one last thing / to believe in” in a different tone than we are used to hearing. There is also the addition of an eerie voice speaking to the listener, no doubt an exert from the Love film.

Album closer All That We Are is something different entirely to the AVA norm, opening as a simple piano ballad only to come to an end in typical AVA fashion. The song climbs from a simple beat to an enormous chorus and massive instrumental that is meant to be heard in rock arenas, and this will hopefully be the case when the band tour Europe in spring of next year.

So, as I said, the fans of this band are broken right down the centre. I can easily say that, after a listen of this double album, it is one of the few double albums out there that I can happily listen to through. A terrific effort from the band, one that any AVA fan would want in their collection.

And, while many might question why Tom is still working with his “other band” while Blink are now well and truly back, I on the other hand, ask him to simply keep up the good work. Good records are released few and far between. So why ask him to stop a good thing? Cherish it while it is here; remember it when it is gone. But don’t end it.

Tracklist:
Love Part 1:
Et Ducit Mundum Per Luce
The Flight Of Apollo
Young London
Shove
Epic Holiday
Hallucinations
The Moon Atomic
Clever Love
Soul Survivor (2012)
Letters To God Part II
Some Origins Of Fire

Love Part 2:
Saturday Love
Surrender
Anxiety
My Heroine (It’s Not Over)
Moon As My Witness
Dry Your Eyes
The Revelator
One Last Thing
Inertia
Behold A Pale Horse
All That We Are

Download: Clever Love, Young London, Surrender, The Revelator, All That We Are