and a realization that their youth has passed and it ’ s time to focus on the uncertainty the future holds .
– Ashley Perez Hollingsworth
8
BLINK-182 One More Time
( Columbia )
After breaking up , then making up , then breaking up again like high school sweethearts , the classic blink-182 lineup of Mark Hoppus , Travis Barker , and Tom DeLonge made up yet again last year . And , at least according to the band , this time , it ’ s for good . After announcing and teasing new music last year , the band has finally unveiled their ninth album One More Time . This is the album fans wanted when the band first reunited in 2011 . Not to say Neighborhoods is bad , but something about it felt off . It still felt like a band divided , especially since they recorded all their parts separately . In comparison , One More Time feels like a true collaborative effort . The overall cohesion of the record stands out the most . The energy , passion , and hunger of the songs are one of a band united and ready to take back their place as pop-punk royalty . Rather than focusing on a specific sound or era of blink-182 , the album successfully captures various iterations of the band . “ Turpentine ,” “ Edging ,” and “ Turn This Off !” show off the high energy , funny , and immature side of the band . Meanwhile , “ Anthem Part 3 ,” “ Dance With Me ,” and “ Blinkwave ” hit that classic pop-punk sweet spot . The band ’ s darker , heavier sound is spotlighted on tracks like “ Terrified ,” which started life as a Box Car Racer song , and “ More Than You Know ,” both reminiscent of 2004 ’ s Untitled . Despite traversing different styles and moods , the album never sounds disjointed . And featuring 17 tracks ( 19 if you count bonus tracks ), the album doesn ’ t overstay its welcome . Each song is memorable and so infectious that before you know it , the album is over . Things have obviously changed for the band since their last reunion , and that ’ s not lost on them . They don ’ t shy away from their tumultuous breakups and personal battles . Instead , they get brutally honest . The title track is a direct reference to their rocky history and finds them questioning why it took near-death experiences to bring them back together . Surprisingly , this is probably the first time we hear Barker sing , further solidifying their newfound brotherhood . “ You Don ' t Know What You ' ve Got ” finds Hoppus facing his mortality after receiving his cancer diagnosis . The closing track , “ Childhood ,” is a reflection on the band ’ s formative years
THE BEATLES 1962-1966 ( Red ) 1967-1970 ( Blue )
50th-Anniversary Reissue LPs ( Universal / Apple )
Many Beatles fans have dog-eared copies of these classic singles collections , each of which covers half of the band ’ s recorded career . The 1962-1966 collection begins with the debut single “ Love Me Do ” and its easygoing representation of 1962 boy band pop . 12 newly-added selections expand the original release ’ s 26 songs , better documenting the Fab Four ’ s meteoric rise as the world ’ s most exciting and beloved rock and roll band . The original set included indelible singles like “ I Want to Hold Your Hand ,” “ Help !,” “ A Hard Day ’ s Night ,” “ Can ’ t Buy Me Love ,” “ Day Tripper ,” and “ Yesterday .” It ’ s hard to imagine how “ I Saw Her Standing There ” and “ Twist and Shout ” were left off the collection in 1973 , but they ’ re present now . Perhaps the Beatles ’ cover of Smokey Robinson & the Miracles ’ “ You Really Got a Hold on Me ” was inessential , but other additions , including “ Got to Get You Into My Life ” and George Harrison ’ s brash “ Taxman ” are welcome . Instead of finishing with Ringo Starr ’ s “ Yellow Submarine ,” the revised Red set concludes light years away from “ Love Me Do ” with the mind-bending psychedelia of John Lennon ’ s “ Tomorrow Never Knows ,” the final track on 1966 ’ s Revolver . The 37 songs on the 1967-1970 collection chronicle the band ’ s output as global superstars , com-
Large selection of Jazz and Blues
LPs , CDs , 78s , 45s and cassettes
Many great year-end HOLIDAY SELECTIONS !
Remastered
Editions of classic releases !
Vintage titles arriving all the time ... Check our website to see the latest !
Open Monday – Saturday , 10:30 am – 6:30 pm
Bob ' s Blues & Jazz Mart
3419 W . Irving Park Rd Chicago , IL 60618
773-539-5002 bluesandjazzmart . com
december 2023 illinoisentertainer . com 15