A departure from Blink-182’s saccharine pop-punk, Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker’s new album as +44 is somber and derivative but enjoyable nevertheless. “When Your Heart Stops Beating,” “Lycanthrope” and “Cliff Diving” each evoke the duo’s poppy past with infectious hooks and comically nasal vocals. These songs are the album’s best, as most of the other tracks on the album are either trite electronic numbers or dated Get Up Kids-style piano emo. “Lillian,” “Interlude” and “115” throw in a bit of New Wave electronics, but the effect adds nothing compelling. While “When Your Heart Stops Beating” isn’t particularly good, there is fun to be had if you aren’t expecting Dude Ranch 2.
– Andrew Sheivachman
PLAY Rating: 3 out of 5 Plays
