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When The Airborne Toxic Event first released their .php>self-titled debut in 2008, I was blown away by catchy tracks like “Does This Mean You’re Moving On?” and (most of all) the hauntingly beautiful “Sometime Around Midnight”—a song that still makes me stop what I’m doing and listen whenever it comes on the radio. And, since then, I’ve been eagerly awaiting the band’s sophomore release.
But when I heard “Changing,” the first single from All At Once, I was surprised to find myself completely underwhelmed. The quirky, mid-tempo track didn’t have the elements that I most loved about “Sometime Around Midnight”—the simple, haunting melody or the poetic lyrics. Fortunately, the song has grown on me—and now I smile whenever I hear the first notes on the radio. And, after listening to the new album, I’ve grown to appreciate the song even more—because it stands out as a light and refreshing track on a pretty weighty album.
The album opens with the title track, which builds slowly (though, when it does, it feels a bit rushed), in a way that might remind you of U2’s “Where the Streets Have No Name.” In fact, the band’s U2 influences are unmistakable throughout the album—from familiar-feeling melodies and vocals to The Edge’s distorted guitar riffs.
Meanwhile, much of the album (with just a couple of exceptions—including “Changing”) is made up of more of those hauntingly melancholy songs—often about lost love, longing, and loneliness. The vocals are warm and emotive, giving most tracks a powerfully dramatic feel. These are songs that you feel as much as you hear.
Of course, the moody tone of All At Once is really no big surprise. After all, “Sometime Around Midnight” became a big hit with both fans and critics. It’s an unforgettable song—honest and emotional, with lyrics that tell a story that anyone can understand. So, of course, the band would want to capture that same spirit while writing their follow-up album. And they do, too—but maybe just a little too much.
In trying to replicate the success of their first single, The Airborne Toxic Event has created an album full of moving melodies that, after a while, start to blend together. And, with so many songs about death or relationships that are either dead or dying, it’s a bit of a downer. It could have used a few lighter tracks to give listeners an emotional break.
All At Once is an album full of meaningful, well-written (and relatable) tracks, but I don’t recommend listening to it on a rainy Monday morning—because it could very well reduce you to a sobbing mess.
