Angels & Airwaves

Led by Blink-182’s Tom DeLonge, Angels & Airwaves is generally regarded as the moodier (and arguably shittier) version of his other band. DeLonge went from pop-punk prankster to serious artiste, and while he may have lost some fans, Angels still managed to crank out several radio-friendly hits. The band’s 2006 debut, We Don’t Need To Whisper, was an overly ambitious effort, bloated with sweeping arrangements and dramatic buildups. The following year’s I-Empire ballooned even further into arena-rock fulsomeness and drippy balladry, and the new Love continues to reach for much of the same. But at least it’s free: Love is available for a pay-what-you-want download at the band’s website. 

Updated 04/14/2010