Dogs Eating Dogs
Blink-182
Interscope Records
After a four-year hiatus, California’s pop-punk stars Blink-182 returned with December’s disjointed comeback record Neighborhoods (2011). Exciting though it was to see everyone’s favourite grown-up teens again, the record suffered from a lack of direction and unity. The bloated venture sounded neutered and watered-down.
Vocalist and guitarist Tom DeLonge, bassist Mark Hoppus, and drummer Travis Barker kept it short and simple for their latest release. The five-track EP titled Dogs Eating Dogs was recorded and produced by the three together at Hoppus’ own Neverpants Ranch over the month of November 2012. The result is a far tighter, synthesized and nostalgic taste of the foul-mouthed punk heroes.
The lead track, “When I Was Young,” meshes Barker’s pounding, air-tight Enema of the State-era drumming with DeLonge’s chugging guitar hook, and angsty lyrics that could have been yanked straight from 2001’s Take Off Your Pants and Jacket: “It’s the worst damn day/Of my life/I made a mess today/But I’m alright.”
Among the biggest of critiques from Blink’s lopsided 2011 venture was the change in sound and tone of DeLonge’s voice. Just like a teenage songbird whose balls dropped, his trademark snotty sneer had dropped to a lower, less volatile snarl. On Neighborhoods the transition seemed awkward and unsure — with Dogs he seems to come into his own with his new vox, and embraces the new sound. It suits the new vibe, and comes off strong and gutsy.
The title track, fronted by Hoppus, is a pleasant departure. DeLonge’s thrashing guitar work and a furious snare breakdown complete the solid addition, with Hoppus’ bittersweet lyricism eerily poignant: “We need to find some middle ground/It’s always sex or suicide/Dogs eating dogs.”
Queasy synths and pulsing organ pieces layer the release, and a sure feel of prog-pop-punk hangs heavy. DeLonge’s effect-ridden guitar parts seer and flail, but his playing on Dogs proves a satisfying union of his early 90s riffing and more contemporary influences. Whereas being the lone guitarist in the punk trio tethered DeLonge to simpler guitar work, his side project Angels and Airwaves provided more opportunity for experimentation, and the result on Dogs is a different, but decent mix of old and new.
Dogs Eating Dogs is a remarkably solid and consistent effort from one of pop-punk’s most influential groups. Blink continues to shift and change as a band, while still producing kickass music. The air of youth sticks with this release.
