All Time Low – MTV Unplugged

I don’t really like All Time Low. They’re too poppy and the forbearers of a genre that I’ve come to greatly despise.  They took a genre that I loved and watered it down and because they were successful, they spawned a legion of other copy-cat bands that watered down the formula even more to a point where I can’t stand listening to more than thirty seconds of some of those bands. I blame All Time Low for that dilution of the pop-punk sound, creating a type of pop-emo with a massive emphasis on the pop aspect of their sound; and because of that – I don’t like them.

Despite that, All Time Low are able to stand head and shoulders above the horrendous onslaught of copy-cats that they influenced and if I wanted to take a truly objective look, I’ll have to admit that I did moderately enjoy Put Up Or Shut Up when it was first released.

I guess what I’m trying to say is this: even though I don’t like All Time Low because of what they helped start, their six song MTV Unplugged EP actually isn’t that bad.

Now All Time Low don’t come close to performing an Unplugged session as good as Nirvanna or Clapton did in their famed performances on the series but it’s not all bad. The band comes out and plays a selection of songs from their career, kicking off with Damned If I Do Ya (Damned if I Don’t) and it’s hard to deny the simple pop sensibility in the song.  The entire record has a certain pop charm to it, and the addition of Kate Voegele in Remembering Sunday is a nice surprise – although the way she says thank you at the end makes her sound as if she’s five or six years old which is oddly irritating.

Sonically, it sounds fantastic. Recorded in a controlled environment, MTV are able to make sure that everything is perfectly levelled and evenly mixed.  If something didn’t sound quite right, they simply re-recorded it which does take away from the “live” factor a bit but also means that you’re not subjected to listening to pointless banter as MTV seamlessly cut from one song to another by blending in the cheers of the fans.

The DVD features the video portion of the performance and offers very little to a casual fan, but hardcore All Time Low fanatics will love it. On top of the performance, there are a few minutes of outtakes from the recording session – this is where you can find the deleted banter if you feel so inclined.  There’s also a short interview with the band but it really offers nothing new and is a rather generic interview – shame on you , MTV, for that.

If you don’t like All Time Low, then MTV Unplugged will not change your mind but All Time Low fans will surely find some pleasure in it. It sounds fantastic and sees the band giving some nice acoustic renditions of fan favourites. So if you’re a fan, I highly recommend it.

Even though I still don’t really like All Time Low, I do have to admit that they’re not terrible; but I doubt I’d ever be able to listen to more than six songs in a row.