All You Needs Is....3 Out Of 5 Stars
When Tom DeLonge stepped away from Blink 182 and formed Angels and Airwaves, it was obvious from the first album that he wanted to make mature music. "Love" (parts one and two) is as epic as it comes. DeLonge wants to make anthems. Big music, like U2, Simple Minds, Muse, et al, to form a soundtrack for the modern world (or at least the independent feature film he executive produced of the same name). While it may not hit the heights he obviously is aiming for, "Love" is a sprawling, ambitious record. Not necessarily Smashing Pumpkins, but maybe 30 Seconds to Mars.
There are a lot of Edge-Worthy guitar sounds and a whole lotta emoting. That may make you sound big, but it doesn't mean you're amazing. DeLonge has a one-dimensional singing style that holds the album back. The music, though, is broad and cinematic, ready to minor-key itself to the Twilight crowd. Plenty of grandiose imagery and profound attempts at lyricism (the opener, "Flight of Apollo," in particular). Producer/Mixer Tom Lord Alge brings up the orchestral boom, while the band plays it sharp and tight. "Love" may not be "How To Dismantle an Atomic Bomb," but as modern rock is concerned, it holds it's own.
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