Tom DeLonge is back with his side band Angels & Airwaves with their highly cinematic rebellious video for the latest song "Surrender," the lead single comes from San Diego Alternative rock group's fourth studio album, "Love: Part Two," which landed in last November. Considered a powerhouse alternative supergroup, Angels & Airwaves, is the artistic collaboration of four accomplished musicians from some of the biggest stadium-bands of the past 15 years."Surrender" has all of the same dynamics of the band's previous releases, with the basis of the song centered on a twee hook that's supported by a driven and chunky, four chord guitar progression. In addition, the typical Angels & Airwaves brand of relatively simple vocal orchestration, that sounds more preachy than it is expressive, is also present, along with a seemingly explosive load of drums that sound like they are just on the brink of detonation, before they are snuffed out by a dollop of compression.
Nonetheless, and regardless of any preconceptions that one may have about DeLonge and his sustained efforts to make his 'an art project that approaches larger human themes and tackles them in different mediums,' "Surrender" is intrusively catchy, working its way into the listener with an interplay of melody that breaks down any resistance they may initially have. Perhaps "Surrender" is a nod to Cheap Trick's 1978 pop rock song of the same name, but it's most unlikely, and besides, DeLonge's preachy lyrics seem to have missed the obvious point of a great pop song.
The protest themed clip, directed by William Eubank, and shot in Los Angeles, juxtaposes shots of young partiers with protesters facing off against riot police. It set amongst opposing scenes of passionate youth rioting and dancing in the streets, while the DeLonge-fronted band rock the anthem and incorporate the Occupy Wall Street movement into the clip, as lead singer explains it, "is based on young revolution. The idea that young people are speaking their minds... and that young people across the Globe will still find a way to celebrate even when they're living their worst day."
Hoppus is the frontman of blink-182, not DeLonge.