The All-American Rejects
Tournado

By Tristan Staddon

If there’s one undeniable element in the All-American Rejects’ arsenal, it’s their production values. Hell, without ’em, there’s might not be a “sound” at all. Of course, most things big, glossy and grandiose play well on the mega-stages the All-American Rejects frequent and, appropriately, suit their happily thoughtless tour movie well. Leading man Tyson Ritter shrugs his way through things offstage but busts a lung with his broken falsetto on it, flashing both his mega-dimples and properly man-scaped ass crack whenever opportunity unfolds. His Rejects mug along interchangeably, save for nice guy guitarist (and genuine punk devotee) Mike Kennerty, who charms more than once. Is Tournado compelling? Not quite. Is the set (a St. Paul gig) solid? In bits, yup. But is it all still sometimes entertaining? Sure. Anyone old enough to feel criminal about sweating on teenagers should feel a little perverse when the Rejects’ boyish charm starts to work, but those guilty pleasurists among us are advised not to pass but, really, to pause here. However briefly. (Interscope)

AC/DC - Plug Me In
Quite possibly the most comprehensive visual package of AC/DC material in their 30-plus years, the double-disc Plug Me In set features both eras of the Aussie rock’n’rollers in all of their blues-influenced glory. Kicking off with the band’s first period, we witness the growing pains of origi ...Read More
Foreigner - Alive & Rockin’
Bob Mould - Circle of Friends
Various Artists - Dear Mr. Fantasy: A Celebration for Jim Capaldi
Deep Roots Music 1: Revival /Ranking Sounds
Elvis Presley - Elvis Presley #1 Hit Performances
Marvin Gaye - Greatest Hits Live In 76
Scissor Sisters - Hurrah: A Year of Ta-Dah
Amy Winehouse - I Told You I Was Trouble
The Tea Party - Intimate and Interactive
Jens Hannemann: Complicated Drumming Technique
Mahavishnu Orchestra - Live at Montreaux
Eminem - Live From New York City
Genitorturers - Live In Sin
Queen - Queen Rock Montreal & Live Aid
Schmelvis - Dir. by Max Wallace
Bob Dylan - The Other Side of the Mirror: Live at the Newport Folk Festival 1963-1965
The Ultimate Reality DVD - Dir. by Dan Deacon and Jimmy Joe Roche
Nirvana - Unplugged in New York
Babyshambles - Up The Shambles — Live In Manchester
Wasted Orient - Dir. by Kevin Fritz
"I've got a fever and the only cure is dead angels."
-Bayonetta

Ever since the Christmastime gaming deluge ended, I've been killing a lot of angels. Though God's messengers have been bad guys in other pop-cultural products ― His Dark Materials book trilogy, the pas... Full Review
Although he's a Montreal native, this debut album sparkles with many of the magical elements associated with Vollebekk's Scandinavian heritage. At times recalling Nick Drake's Bryter Layter in its fragility and subtle deployment of strings, but also the playfulness of fellow Montrealer Patric... Full Review
Don't count on Norway's premier disco revivalist Hans-Peter Lindstrøm to ever turn in the same record twice. "All the artists and bands that I really like do surprising stuff every time, and I guess I just copy their way," he says from his Oslo home studio. "But it's also about not getting bored myself."... Read More
Social Networking
• Be our friend on MySpace
• Be our fan on Facebook
Tweet us on twitter
Viewing the December 2007 Issue: Contents PageNewsClick Hear • Articles --> Front Five  •  Points  •  Year In Review  •  Questionnaire  •  Release Dates  •  Timeline  •  Videogames  •  Web Exclusives • Music Reviews --> Recently Reviewed  •  Aggressive Tendencies  •  Beats & Rhymes  •  Destination Out  •  Frequencies  •  Groove  •  No Future  •  Pop Rocks  •  Wood, Wires & Whiskey  •  Concert Reviews • Motion Reviews --> Recently Reviewed  •  Dvd Reviews  •  Film Reviews  •  Music DVD Reviews  •  Videogame Reviews • Music School --> Label Life  •  Need to Know  •  What I Play Contests • Contact --> About Us  • Advertising  • Distribution  • Getting Reviewed  • Getting Published  • Letters To The Editor  • Partnerships  • Subscriptions • Exclaim! Radio --> Aggressive Tendencies Radio  • Beats & Rhymes Radio  • Frequencies Radio  • Destination Out Radio  • Groove Radio  • No Future Radio  • Pop Rocks Radio  • Wood, Wires & Whiskey Radio Exclaim! TV • Home & Latest Issue Browse Issues