[3/5] As one of two supergroups to emerge from the wreckage of Blink-182, (+44)-consisting of Blink-182 bassist/vocalist Mark Hoppus and drummer Travis Barker, as well as guitarists Craig Fairbaugh (ex-Transplants) and Shane Gallagher (the Nervous Return)-have certainly had it easier than most: With a prebuilt fanbase, they won't struggle much to get their music heard. And it's this musical complacency that makes When Your Heart Stops Beating fall a bit flat, considering the early buzz of the record being "electronic" and more diverse than the members' previous offerings. (When the electronic elements do show up, as on "Interlude," it just sounds like the band had Minus The Bear on in the practice room and got inspired.) The majority of the record instead comes off as Alkaline Trio circa Crimson (that band's "electronic" record, too)-not that this is necessarily a bad thing: "Lycanthrope," "No It Isn't" and the title track are all gems. The disc is loaded with Hoppus' unusually dark and quite literal lyrics-in short, Hoppus is pissed about former bandmate Tom DeLonge breaking up Blink, and he wants everyone to know it. In every breakup, there's always a bitter ex, and as his or herfriend, we try to sympathize with the ex as much as possible-but sometimes, you just want to say, "Let it go." Say what you will about Angels & Airwaves, but at least Tom DeLonge's moved on. (INTERSCOPE) Scott Heisel
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