More of the same

Ever since Tom DeLonge destroyed Blink-182, something has been wrong in his head. \nDeLonge had this to say about Angels&Airwaves' new album I-Empire: "It reflects an idea that the world is yours for the taking, and all that exists, exists inside you." \nAnd while that statement is as heavy-handed as you can get -- and whether or not DeLonge is actually serious -- the one thing DeLonge is right about is that I-Empire is much better than the band's debut. \nThe problem with AVA's debut We Don't Need To Whisper was that DeLonge overhyped the quality of the record. It was full of U2-esque guitar work that dragged on and included laughable lyrics. The band has brought much of the same this time around, but it for some reason, it's more enjoyable. \nThe appropriately titled opener "Call To Arms" starts off with the aforementioned riffs ripped from U2 and a somewhat interesting sound, both of which are nothing new. However, the album's major improvement is its soaring hooks. \nIt seems DeLonge remembered that the reason Blink was so popular was because he and Mark Hoppus wrote great pop songs, and he's figured out how to integrate that into AVA's formula. The lyrics aren't anything special, but when DeLonge belts out, "I'd like to say that you're my only fear / And when I dream, it slowly disappears / And when I wake, I'm right here by your side / To feel your heart," he really means it.\nThe single "Everything's Magic" includes some cheesy hand-claps, but Atom Willard's drums and different guitar work make it extremely enjoyable. It's definitely the quickest song the band's written and induces its listeners to jump around their bedrooms with their significant others.\n"Sirens" is faster than anything on Whisper, and its new-wave-esque-sound would be considered a bad track in The Police's catalog, but works for AVA. However, painfully earnest lyrics almost ruin the song: "I like your eyes wide / I've been knocking at your back door / Nervous like a knife fight."\nThankfully DeLonge has accepted that his biggest strength is writing catchy songs, added to by better technical work from the rest of the band. I-Empire is an improvement. However, the droning-on of the album's latter tracks and the sketchy, elementary lyrics from a guy in his 30s prevent it from helping DeLonge conquer the world, or whatever the hell he has dreamed up in that warped mind of his.