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The sheer derivation of Put Up or Shut Up makes my stomach churn, even though I'm typically fine with bands that are outwardly influenced by their peers. The problem with All Time Low, though, is that they have no personality. The band sounds just like Fall Out Boy and Cartel. When one, such as myself, doesn't like that breed of contemporary, melodic rock in the first place, another clone doesn't have anything to offer.
Everything All Time Low does can be traced to another band. Layers and layers of harmonious backing vocals wrap around Alex Gaskarth's rightfully confident singing to create infectious choruses with boring, hard-to-forget lyrics. That oddly sounds like every Fall Out Boy song. Some of the quieter parts and bridges, especially those that reduce down to palm muted guitar riffs and calmed singing, are dead ringers for the same band. Even the slightly cocky attitude is there.
In all likelihood, the less discerning Fall Out Boy, Panic! At the Disco and Cartel fans -- at least the tiny fraction of them that realizes Hopeless Records and other bands exist -- will probably hear nothing wrong with All Time Low. Put Up or Shut Up is really catchy and, considering that that's what this music is all about (aside from swooning young chicks), the band gets the job done.
I just know I'll never be convinced that we need or that anyone will remember All Time Low in a year.
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