Album: Neighborhoods
Release: September 27, 2011
History: It has been about 8 years since new music has been out for this pop punk trio, but there has been a lot of things in-between, the biggest being their "indefinite" hiatus. Tom ventured off to a space, ambient, progressive rock known as Angels and Airwaves. Three album in, there is a mature state that Tom is in. On the other hand Mark and Travis made +44, named after the international code for England when they were talking about the project. When Your Heart Stops Beating is a straight forward rock album with electronic influences. Being apart for 4 years, they gained knowledge in song structure, using experimental sounds and growing up in general. Having said that, saying that Neighborhoods would be the next Enema of the State or Take off your Pants and Jacket, is complete nonsense.
To understand Neighborhoods, look at the history. The first couple of years after the break up there was bitter tension from Mark and Tom. Mark made a clear statement on Tom in "No It Isn't" :"Please understand, This isn't just goodbye, this is I can't stand you". Tom responded in "Rite Of Spring": The summers gone, the years have passed, my friends have changed, a few did last". Tom started experimenting with sounds and effects that would give AVA their signature sound. Aside from +44, Mark became a producer, so he learned about sounds and music from the producer stand point. Travis was featured in rap music, so he started venturing off in different genres.
Their happy reunion started off with a horrible tragedy. The first was the death of their long time producer Jerry Finn. After that,Travis and DJ AM were involved in a plane crash in late September that kill their close friends. During his rehabilitation, Tom decided to speak to everyone. 5 months later, after months of a rumored reunion they announced their reunion almost at their 4 year break up anniversary.
Fast forward to when the album was released after 2 years of making their album they were almost true to their word. It is a continuation of their last album. It did venture off into experimental elements. It would include influences from their side projects. BUT it is not a progressive album as Tom stated. It is just a rock album, with the pop punk foundation in which they are based of.
