Move Along [Import]

the all-american rejects, like any really outstanding music, leaves you desperate for more.

(ps i have seen the all-american rejects live twice (once very recently) and they give the most charismatic and exciting performance i have ever experienced, words can't describe it, go see them!)

The Rejects have a very unique sound, they're American Rock. I don't know who I could compare them to for you; I could roughly describe them as a delightful mix of Green Day, Taking Back Sunday, Simple Plan and New Found Glory, but that's a very rough comparison. They are leagues above those bands, and their style appeals to all sorts, so give them ago.

I decided to review each individual track, I think all these are the tracks on the UK album... some might only be on the US copy.

01. Dirty Little Secret - This is a great song, it has a brilliant opening guitar riff. The chorus is fabulous, very catchy choon 10/10

02. Stab My Back - Good track, this is a typical reject track, it reminds me of some of the songs from the other album, but the structure is a bit more mainstream. The melody in the chorus is tremendous; it makes the track. 10/10

03. Move Along - The title track is very different to their old stuff, it's very uplifting, it's quite good. It's got a good bass line, and some cool drumming in it. I found the song grew on me on a second and third listening. I love the chorus. 9/10

04. It Ends Tonight - A reject ballad... perfect track! It's got all the emotion of Green Day's "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" but is 100 times better! (Obviously!!) The vocals are brilliant on this song. 9/10

05. Change Your Mind - Good powerful song. This will be a classic, great guitar solo. 10/10

06. Night Drive - Erm... it's not a very reject-like song, I didn't like it at first to be honest, but it's growing on my. It's got an odd sound and structure, but it's really good. The vocal style is very good, and I love the harmonies on this track. It grows on you- I promise! 9/10

07. 11:11pm (CST) - This is a great song, it's very emotive and the vocals are spot on. 10/10

08. Dance Inside - The lyrics are fantastic on this track. The melody, chord structure and some of the riffs remind me of some of their other stuff, like 'Why Worry' and 'The Last Song' but it is a very fresh track. 9/10

09. Top of the World - Again, brilliant lyrics on this track, and the guitar is fantastic on this track... The chorus is perfect. 10/10

10. Straightjacket Feeling - I love the title! This is another ballad, and it has some really good points; it's got brilliant harmonies on the chorus, and has a lovely guitar part on the open verse. The lyrics (again) are great, and are some of the best on the album. Unfortunately I found the track quite flat; it tends to build up and comes to nothing. It's not their best song, it isn't completely awful, but it's lacking in 'oomph'. 5/10

11. I'm Waiting - Love it. This is the sound of the rejects (as far as I'm concerned)! I absolutely LOVE this track. 10/10

12. Can't Take It - I love the string opening, its excellent. The vocal style is great on this track. There's no guitar, bass nor drums on this track, which is a bit of a shock to be honest, but it's a magnificent track, and a perfect end to the album. 10/10

This album is exceptional. I was a bit worried it could be an anti-climax in comparison to their previous album, but it's outstanding. This should be one of the top must-have albums of the year. Tracks like "I'm Waiting", "Dirty Little Secret" and "11:11pm (CST)" just make the album, and although some of the songs take a while to grow on you, such as "Night Drive" I can promise you will be impressed and not disappointed. True, "Straightjacket Feeling" is my least favourite track, and is quite weak in comparison to the rest, but it has great lyrics and harmonies, so it's not a complete let down.

All in all, I can say "Move Along" is an exceptional album- it was worth the wait, and the album deserves to be one of the highest acclaimed albums of 2005.

10/10 for the Rejects.