All-American Rejects

Somewhere, "power-pop" sticklers are brooding that these Oklahomans can't possibly apply that mantle to what it is that they do. According to most universally accepted theorems, most power-pop bands are in their late 30s and early 40s, unless they had some estimable RIAA success in the '70s — then they're...

By Serene Dominic

November 23, 2006

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Somewhere, "power-pop" sticklers are brooding that these Oklahomans can't possibly apply that mantle to what it is that they do. According to most universally accepted theorems, most power-pop bands are in their late 30s and early 40s, unless they had some estimable RIAA success in the '70s — then they're in their 50s. Either way, a true power-pop band should be on its third or fourth indie label by now, at least considering hair plugs and playing to an ever-shrinking audience of people tenuously clinging to their youth by bopping to recycled Raspberries riffs. These guys do none of that, although we are checking our Wally Bryson guitar charts for further clarification. Both All-American Rejects albums have been certified platinum, and there's been one Billboard Top 10 and another two Top 20s behind it — all this going on right now, today, in the 21st century we keep hearing so much about. In short, kids love 'em and can appreciate that their music has broken out through such unlikely mediums as video games (Madden NFL 2006; Burnout: Revenge), World Wrestling Entertainment (its 2006 Diva Search) and joint ventures with T-Mobile and Lego — the latter even used the All-American Rejects in part of an alternate reality game. In a real alternate reality, you'd be listening to Matthew Sweet and Superdrag right now!

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