Every All-American Rejects album ranked: From worst to best

Since forming in Stillwater, Oklahoma, in 1999, the All-American Rejects have released four studio albums. They quickly cemented themselves as one of the most iconic bands of the early 2000s with songs like “Dirty Little Secret” and “Move Along” and continued throughout their career to create music that keeps both the band and their fans on their toes.

Read more: Flashback: The All-American Rejects deliver folk cover of Britney Spears

While the All-American Rejects have been relatively quiet since their 2012 album, Kids In The Street, it should be noted that they never broke up. Instead, they took a step back to explore different experiences “both personally and professionally,” according to guitarist Nick Wheeler, in order to reenergize themselves and persist in creating music the way they want to make it. 

Every All-American Rejects album ranked

DGC/Interscope

4. Kids In The Street (2012)

Coming back from a four-year hiatus, the All-American Rejects took a slight detour from their signature pop-punk stylings and injected inspiration from rock music from the late ‘70s and mid-‘80s into their songwriting. Thus, Kids In The Street became a reflection of the comeback rock was having at the time, spearheaded by bands like Foo Fighters and the Black Keys. The band played with synthesizers, and singer Tyson Ritter showed off a new maturity and attitude in his vocals during standout tracks “Someday’s Gone” and “Beekeeper’s Daughter.” Despite this experimentation — which was extremely effective at times — Kids In The Street was not different enough from their previous records to grab the attention a band might hope for in a comeback album.

Doghouse/Dreamworks

3. The All-American Rejects (2002)

The All-American Rejects’ self-titled album received mixed reviews when it was first released in 2002. Many critics argued they were simply ripping off successful alternative bands that came before them, such as Weezer, blink-182 and Third Eye Blind (particularly in the track “Drive Away”). However, no one can claim The All-American Rejects was not an extremely well-produced debut, especially for a couple of college kids in Oklahoma. Ritter expertly switched in and out of falsetto throughout the album’s catchy melodies — something that would later become his signature — and the band utilized guitars, keyboards and orchestral arrangements to create a record that celebrated the early days of pop punk. 

DGC/Interscope

2. When The World Comes Down (2008)

When The World Comes Down is the All-American Rejects’ most introspective album. A weariness in Ritter’s voice made some of the growing pains they experienced in the six years since their debut palpable. The existentialism throughout the record is leavened by more lighthearted tracks, like the tongue-in-cheek “Gives You Hell.” Overall, When The World Comes Down encapsulates the highs and lows of adolescence set over traditional pop and rock instrumentation. 

Interscope

1. Move Along (2005)

Finally, we come to the All-American Rejects’ sophomore album, Move Along. “It Ends Tonight,” “Dirty Little Secret” and the title track turned the record into an instant hit, and they remain some of the band’s most popular songs to this day. The latter two songs were even featured in the 2006 movie She’s the Man starring Channing Tatum and Amanda Bynes, though they honestly could have been included in any romantic comedy during the time to soundtrack both young love and teenage heartbreak. But what really makes Move Along the pinnacle of the All-American Rejects’ discography is the fact it improved upon what was built on their debut, adding more depth and sophistication to their songwriting.