Allstar Weekend
All the Way
By: Lisa
Rating: 
“We are teenage hearts, forever young”
Allstar Weekend has had a busy month. Not only did they announce that they would be replacing lead guitarist Nathan Darmody; the band, who are fresh off a successful tour with Selena Gomez, just days ago released their follow-up album to the band’s 2010 debut EP Suddenly. All the Way is jam packed with catchy, up tempo songs that have already gotten millions (the video for “Not Your Birthday” which was featured on the film Prom earlier this year, has had over three million views) dancing along to their pop punk sound. Joining them this time around are veteran producers JR Rotem, S*A*M and Sluggo, Busbee, and Dan Wilson. Sound familiar? They should. They’ve helped create hits for some of the biggest names out there. From Britney Spears and Katy Perry to Adele and now Allstar Weekend. Not bad for a band who got their start by coming in second on a Disney talent show. (Remember Next Big Thing?)
All the Way is composed of twelve tracks including their latest single “Blame it on September”; a heartfelt song about a summer romance that fades along with the warm weather that started it all. It is one of the only slow songs on the entire album and possibly one of the most relatable . Quite the opposite from this melodramatic love song, “Sorry…” pushes its way to your eardrums full force. One listen, even if accidental, will have it stuck in your head for hours. It’s highly contagious melody and infectious lyrics “You keep on calling me up crying saying sorry dot dot dot/Dont call me not not not sorry dot dot dot” are bound to keep you either humming it for hours or wishing to the heavens that you’d never heard it. Throw in their title song “All the Way”: ”California loving was playing while we was teasing, It’s hard to be alone when her phone won’t stop ringing/Forget about the others, it’s just you and me, Get between the covers and then you’ll start believing” and “James(Never Change)” a song about a guy who despite his lack of “game” still manages to score dates with all the young ladies; and you’ve got a record that’s bound to attract swarms of energetic concert goers.
All the Way is a fantastic album for jr high/high school kids and even twenty-somethings who just want a fun album. Its lack of over emotional lyrics and catchy tunes make for definite ear candy, while still touching base on what in the end always matters most to each us; relationships. If you seek heavier sounds though, or a deeper set of lyrics, than you may want to look elsewhere. While Allstar Weekend does a great job making music for the younger generation, anyone older than 21 who doesn’t already like the bubbly punk sound will probably not enjoy this record.
