Leppert
Echoes of screaming girls stalking a tour bus across the country can mean only one thing: there’s a touring boy band.
All Time Low, ATL, is just one band that has accrued an almost cultlike following of fangirls. Before tween-scene girls elevated the Baltimore-area band to rock star status, ATL was just a regular pop-punk band.
ATL’s previous album, “Dirty Work,” released in 2011, feels improperly balanced toward pop rather than punk. Prior to 2011, the band, though still incorporating many pop elements, had a distinctively more punk sound.
On Oct. 9, ATL released its newest album, “Don’t Panic.” The album is reminiscent of the band’s early work, such as “Put Up or Shut Up,” released in 2006.
“Don’t Panic” is the first album released by All Time Low since the band left its record label, Interscope Records.
Much of the new album was independently recorded while the band was unsigned. The album’s tracks confirm ATL’s return to its roots. “Don’t Panic” is a familiar blend of acoustic vocals, powerful drums and leading guitar.
The first single released off of “Don’t Panic” was “The Reckless and the Brave,” which incorporated the angst-ridden, anthemic lyrics and upbeat, catchy rhythm that originally drew attention to them.
The memorable vocals and harmonizations might potentially be the key to All Time Low’s signature sound. “Don’t Panic” features Alex Gaskarth’s lead vocals, highlighted by the secondary harmonies of lead guitarist Jack Barakat, minus the upbeat pop adjustments present on “Nothing Personal.”
Overall, “Don’t Panic” is a refreshing flashback to the ATL’s garage-band roots. The album has the lighthearted, memorable lyrics fangirls go crazy for, as well as the loud guitar and driving rhythm that make pop-punk what it is.
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