(album sampler/ SKG MUSIC)
The All-American Rejects are half-right. Yep, all four lads are all American, and all from marvellous Mid-Western state Oklahoma to be more precise � but they�re no rejects, but proud prefects in the top pop-punk bracket of talent. Think Busted and The Dum Dums, and then rest assured that while this band do remind of those other pop boy bands, these guys are much, much better - and their songs are overcharged with miles more passion, much more than usually expected in the pop-punk genre of adolescent angst that so seems to dominate the market� though the emphasis isn�t so much on any punk grievances they harbour. These songs were conceived �instantaneously chart-worthy.�
�My Paper Heart� is undoubtedly textbook pop-punk perfection by anyone�s standards, as is �Swing Swing� � complete with a brush of a church organ.
The attitude is free from angst and no one will be offended, though these so-called Rejects score most compulsively when propelling their non-leak musical boat out when �Time Stands Still� for both that track and their aptly-ordered �Last Song.� �Time�� is more polished than a millionaire tourist�s shoes with hours to kill and US dollars to spare in Kathmandu�s secret shoe-shine district, yet the fact that they incorporate a drum loop and lush acoustic guitar into bright and breezy proceedings ensures their sound is pretty damn distinctive from your average run-of-the-mill, over-the-hill pop-punkas.
�The Last Song,� likewise, is one you won�t want to end as a sweet sweep of orchestral strings endeavours to make this beauty sound as deep and meaningful as possible, proving The All American Rejects� vibes are the best you can obtain without batteries. And so long as their album is anchored in the �repeat-play� position� yes � they will go on and on. 5/5 (STEVE RUDD)
Album �Swing Swing� is released July 21st 2003
www.theall-americanrejects.com www.ampunited.com