blink-182

A self-titled album nearly 10 years into the band's career? It must be time for reflection and evaluation, which in this case comes in the form of something close to maturity and experimentation. There's not even one doo-doo joke on the whole record. Did we mention the pianos and the duet with Robert Smith on "All of This"? Believe it.

Blink-182's protracted adolescence has finally ended. There is nary a goofy moment on the
San Diego punk-pop band's fifth album, which is more experimental and harder-hitting than
anything else it has done. On "I Miss You," the trio toys with electronic drumbeats, acoustic
guitars, string parts and a gentle piano melody. "Violence" opens with a shriek of buzz-saw
guitar, switches to the group's revved-up punk throttle and then calms down for... More >

Mature enough to understand how vulnerable youth is, but not how grueling maturity is ("Feeling This," "Go"). (Grade - ***)