Album Review - The All-American Rejects, "Kids in the Street"

Megan Purazrang
WCB Music Writer

The-All American Rejects

Kids in the Street

Released - March 26, 2012

Producer - Greg Wells

Label - Interscope, DGC

Kids in the Street marks the bands fourth album since their formation in 2009. All it takes is a listen of lead vocalist Tyson Ritter screaming “1, 2, 3, 4!” followed by the song “Someday’s Gone” to know that this album is not just similar, but closer to identical to the music releases that are a part of The-All American Rejects past albums. The song allows predictability in the lyrics so an audience could easily guess and remain with the pace of the music.

The first single off of the record is “Beekeeper’s Daughter” lyrically a song narrated from the perspective of a boy who is no friend of commitment. The melodic line “you’re a pretty little flower and I’m a busy little bee” clearly sums up the message without further explanation. Three minutes into the song is a defiant guitar solo to emphasis the lack of monogamous interest of the story.

The album’s self-titled song “Kids in the Street” is a reflection of childhood moments. For all blunt purposes, it could have been called “The Great Escape” and performed by former tour mates Boys Like Girls.

The eighth track on the album titled “Bleed into Your Mind” is one of the few favored elements of this record. The prominent thump of the bass line brings unique character accompanied by a high pitched percussion bell every few beats. The sound is echo-like and compliments Ritter’s well established slow-achy drawn vocals.

Nearing the conclusion is the ninth song on the album “Affection,” a ballad that imitates what was commonly heard in the 1960s with bands such as The Beatles. However, The All-American Rejects do not stand anywhere near the same pedestal. Sounding familiarly close is all they get. Likewise, the ending song “I For You” is also a ballad with slow guitar and vocals. This is a song and an album that has been seen far too many times before in mainstream music. For prior fans, this will just be an addition to the musical collection and for listeners wanting something new, waiting for the next release might not be a bad idea.