The All-American Rejects

Once upon a time, at a Warped Tour long ago, a younger version of this writer unintentionally kicked singer Tyson Ritter in the face during a crowd surfing episode gone wrong. This was back when "Swing Swing" was still pulling on the heartstrings of prepubescent pop punk girls everywhere who were giddy for the pretty-faced singer sporting tight pants and emo hair. The incident sparked years of buying All American Rejects records, dividing my reasoning between a guilt complex and their undeniable penchant for pop rock. Their third release, When The World Comes Down, proves I may, after all, have been more on the latter side. Packed with instant radio hits such as "Gives You Hell" and "I Wanna," this record follows the formula that made 2005's Move Along multi-platinum. It abandons some of that candy coating for softer sounds such as violins, orchestration, an angelic choir and an Autoharp but keeps the winning sugary beats and simple, catchy lyrics. While the record isn't overtly ambitious or deep, it's no dirty little secret that it's slightly deeper and superbly fun.