HEAVY MUSIC HISTORY: Untitled – Blink-182
On November 18th of 2003, seminal pop-punk band; BLINK-182 released their fifth studio album.The album itself was known as an eponymous effort or just straight up; Untitled. At this point in their career; BLINK-182 had already established themselves as one of the leading pop-punk bands globally. They were known for their catchy hooks, adolescent humour and high energy performances. This time however, they opted for a more mature and experimental sound. Previous releases by the band such as Enema Of The State (1999) and Take Off Your Pants And Jacket (2001) were and still are considered classics of the band. The expectations amongst fans and critics were sky high.
Upon its release, the album performed well commercially. It debuted at Number Three on the US Billboard Top 200. Globally the commercial success continued, particularly in the UK where it peaked at Number Four on the UK album chart which contributed to the band’s ever growing commercial prowess, resulting in the album achieving platinum status. Critically, the album received a generally positive reception. Critics appreciated BLINK-182‘s willingness to experiment and evolve their sound, praising the album’s diversity and lyrical depth. However, some critics felt the band’s departure from their traditional style alienated certain fans, resulting in a divisive response.
Musically, the album was a departure from their earlier pop-punk sound of lighthearted punchy anthems. Swapping songs about sex, drugs and masturbation for those which explored more introspective and darker themes and opting for sounds found more in post-hardcore, new-wave and alt-rock. It highlighted a mature songwriting style from the band we’d only seen glimpses of in the past on tracks such as Adam’s Song and Stay Together For The Kids. Having already garnered a smorgasbord of hits from the bands conception, the Untitled album added a plethora of ready made hits that boosted the bands already impressive discography.
From the get go, we are thrust into this new world BLINK-182 have conjured with the record. Opener Feeling This was the lead single for the record and encapsulated the album’s diverse style. It blended energetic punk elements with more experimental and melodic segments. The songs catchy hooks and dynamic structure made it a fan favourite where it is still to this day sung at the top of every pop punk kids (or most likely adult these days) lungs whenever it’s played. I Miss You, showed a different side to the band. Featuring a haunting melody, emotive lyrics and a more subdued melodic approach. It became an instant classic due to its commercial success which propelled the band onto loftier heights. You’d have to travel far and wide to find someone who wasn’t able to respond to someone shouting “WHERE ARE YOU YEWWWW” with; “AND I’M SO SORRY” in their best nasally Tom Delonge impression.
As you delve deeper into the album, tracks such as Down and Always come into play. Down garnered lots of attention upon release. It featured a truly sumptuous blend of styles from its more aggressive sounding guitar which compliments the more melodic sections of the song perfectly, once again showcasing BLINK-182‘s willingness to be more versatile with their sound. Always is an absolute triumph of a song that is easily the stand out track of the record. Its heartfelt lyrics and infectious melody resonated with hordes of fans at the time with its raw and catchy composition. One of the most impressive aspects of this particular track is the drumming by Travis Barker. It’s a complex beat that would pose a challenge to try and replicate, it sticks with you long after you’ve listened to it. It’s a song that showed that BLINK-182 were well and truly capable of delivering emotionally charged songs and that just maybe, they were destined for a more serious career.
Unlike earlier albums in their career, Untitled is one that tackles a variety of more serious and hard hitting themes throughout listening, giving this album a more emo vibe than the usual pop-punk offering we were used to at the time. Tracks such as Stockholm Syndrome and Violence touch upon the themes of internal conflict, frustration and the darker aspects of human emotions. Whilst not as overtly in other albums, social commentary and critique are touched upon throughout several songs, most notably however on the track Obvious as it tackles disillusionment and the pressures of conformity that unfortunately come with life.
Untitled is perhaps the album that show’s the trio at the height of their musical ability. Each band member brings their own distinctive elements to the performances that contribute to the album’s diverse sound. Mark Hoppus showcased a more introspective and emotive side to his song writing capabilities and vocal delivery. His iconic bass lines provided a solid foundation for many tracks whilst his vocals offered a more vulnerable side that we’d never really seen from him before. Abandoning the usual snotty pop-punk attitude for a more subdued and emotional approach compared to previous works. Tom DeLonge’s work on the album features a blend of aggressive punk riffs and more atmospheric and layered blend of guitar parts. His nasally vocals this time round are less grating than they are on previous albums. This time evolved to compliment the album’s more serious themes.
As always, when it comes to BLINK-182, the standout aspect of the band is and always will be Travis Barker. Whilst Hoppus and DeLonge are talented in their own right, Travis Barker is the glue which holds this band together. His dynamic and innovative drumming was highly praised. His drumming, known for its speed and precision added depth and complexity to the album itself, furthermore cemented him as one of the greatest drummers of this generation. Each of the band members’ contributions came together to create a cohesive yet diverse musical landscape defining the albums sound, showing maturity, growth and highlighting their musical evolution beyond their early pop-punk roots.
Whilst this record put the band on a direction for a brighter future, it ultimately played a part their downfall at the time. The shift in musical direction had already caused some division within the band. This, a gruelling tour schedule and differing priorities further exacerbated these tensions which eventually led to the trio announcing an indefinite hiatus in 2005. It wasn’t until 2009 that the band got back together. Since this reunion, the band has released four albums (two without DeLonge), each to differing levels of success. They never quite were able to capture that same quality that came with Untitled until their most recent effort; One More Time… (2023) which saw DeLonge rejoin the band to the delight of the entire fanbase.
Over time, the Untitled album has garnered more acclaim and appreciation, with many fans and critics revisiting it as a pivotal moment in BLINK-182‘s career. Its impact is evident in how it paved the way for the band’s future musical endeavours and showcased their willingness to evolve artistically. In hindsight, BLINK-182‘s self-titled album stands as a bold and significant milestone in the band’s discography, showcasing their growth as musicians while dividing opinions among fans and critics at the time of its release. Its musical experimentation and departure from their established sound cemented its place as a transformative moment in the band’s career.
Untitled was originally released on November 18 2003 via Geffen Records.
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