The All-American Rejects

The All-American Rejects hit a popular gold mine with their sophomore LP, Move Along, but the band's sugar-sweet pop debut is a remarkably energetic collection that seems more earnest by comparison. Sure, it's just a bunch of songs about girls and teenage confusion, but when frontmen Nick Wheeler and Tyson Ritter lighten up the angsty confessions with a huge chorus, as on "My Paper Heart," "Drive Away" and "Don't Leave Me," they do it right. The big (synth?) string intro to "The Last Song" is a touching send-off.

These fresh-faced Oklahomans flesh out their earnest pop punk with hip-hop samples,
synthesized strings and folky guitar, slathering the whole package with a radio-ready
sheen. Highlight: "Swing, Swing," a Weezer-lite love-gone-bad anthem with hit potential.
(From RS 916, February 20, 2003)