Whether you hated or loved them, when Blink-182 went on hiatus (musician speak for "We hate each other now") it was a big deal. Out of the ashes came two hopeful but polarized new bands: +44 and Angels and Airwaves. While Angels and Airwaves rushed to get an album out (and subsequently proclaimed it was the best album made in the last 20 years), +44 took their time, imbuing experience and emotion into their music.
Listening to When Your Heart Stops Beating, I was struck by the quality of the songs. Every song seemed extensively worked out. Rather than making a few singles with sub-par songs to back them up, +44 crafted a whole album of singles. Originally touted to be an electronica outfit, the band quickly diffused into a four-piece rock band. For many this was disappointing. However, going at the music with an alternative mindset enabled this band to create some very eclectic, inspired rock music. This is an album that is easy to listen straight through, and will be ringing in your head for weeks.
7/7
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