Well, I guess this is growing up. Known primarily for prepubescent pop-punk, Blink-182 has never been a band that took itself too seriously. But bemoaning the awkwardness of adolescence can have its drawbacks, especially for musicians who are well into adulthood and looking to expand their artistic scope -- risky business when their average fan still wears a training bra and braces. So rather than risk alienating its considerable kiddycore audience, the SoCal trio is unleashing its emo pretensions pseudonymously. Meet Box Car Racer, a "side project" starring Blink guitarist and vocalist Tom DeLonge and drummer Travis Barker and featuring a guest appearance from bassist and vocalist Mark Hoppus. In other words, welcome to the new Blink-182 album. Like Blink, BCR is clever, catchy and polished to a platinum sheen by longtime producer Jerry Finn. But BCR also includes a darker, more serious edge not present on the bulk of Blink's output. There are solemn acoustic guitars, string sections, songs about God -- all hallmarks of high art, as opposed to plain old music. When it works, such as on the earnest "There Is," it's transcendent; at other times, it's just derivative and dreary. But fans of Blink's juvenile antics shouldn't be concerned: with loads of cash at stake, the group will undoubtedly be taking off its pants and jacking it again.
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