All Time Low, Tell Me I’m Alive Review

All Time Low is a rock band formed in the suburbs of Baltimore, Maryland. All Time Low was a high-school cover band before morphing into a melodic emo-pop act. Created by vocalist and guitarist Alex Gaskarth and guitarist Jack Barakat, the two soon recruited bassist Zack Merrick and drummer Rian Dawson. Their energetic pop-punk sound and rowdy live shows often included silly string and beach balls. All Time Low’s catalog includes five consecutive Top 10 albums in the Billboard Top 200 and gold, platinum, and multiplatinum awards.

All Time Low is releasing its ninth album, Tell Me I’m Alive. The thirteen songs on the album push the pop-rock issue more than their past albums. Through the songs, there are many sounds; some are pleasant, others not so much. “New Religion” and “I’d Be Fine” ruin Gaskarth’s vocals with over-processing.

“Modern Love” is a nice mix of the old All Time Low and the new slicker sound. The vocals are processed, but not to the point of destroying the natural sound. The music is energetic and guitar-driven, with just the right amount of attitude and punk disrespect that we have grown to want from All Time Low. The backing vocals flow, but the bridge is a letdown; the speak singing is not it.

“Kill Ur Vibe” has more of the sounds that have made the band something special, with a memorable guitar part and thumping bass. The effects on the voice are a minus, but unfortunately, that is a typical sound in the pop-rock-punk world, so we can let that slide. The bridge is very nice on this selection, serving as a release and new space for new guitar sounds and energy before driving it home.

Tell Me I’m Alive is a hit-and-miss project for All Time Low; this is not a low point in the band’s career, but I hear nothing special for me. If you are a die-hard All Time Low fan, sure, you will enjoy it, but this new direction will not gain masses of new fans.