California

I'm glad Blink is back. It's not the same without Tom but none the less it's better than no Blink at all. Catchy tunes, worth the ten bucks. I don't like the complainers dissing it because it doesn't sound like old Blink. How can it with a brand new band member? Stop the whining and enjoy it, be glad they are back making good music. It's not like I spent 100 bucks on the album. I've blown ten bucks on Taco Bell that lasted ten minutes. This will last me a lifetime. Buy it, enjoy it, and wait for more!

This is a fantastic album. Even if you own California the Deluxe edition is 100% worth it. Every song on the second cd which includes 12 new songs is a hit. I liked around 60%-70% of the original album but the Deluxe edition plays so perfect. It's an album that you can play from song 1 and let it play in full and you'll have complete enjoyment out of it. I was a fan of Blink 182 all the way back to Cheshire Cat and I completely admit that I really enjoy them even more so now. They're more mature. I know Tom isn't in the band anymore but Matt Skiba from Alkaline Trio really shines in this album. Blink 182 finally has great duo's which is something they didn't do too often. Now both Mark & Matt sing together in almost every track. I definitely recommend picking up this album if you don't own the original & even if you do. For $12 you're getting 30 great songs.

As someone who was a teen when they were at the height of their career, when I heard Blink-182 had released a new album in 2016, I laughed. Quite hard, in fact. hen I gave it a listen.Two words for you: Holy. Crap.This isn't the boys deciding they wanted some fresh press to sell old albums or getting back together because the money ran out. This is the real deal.I'm going to say it - California is Blink-182's best album. Ever. Now, before you form a lynch-mob, please hear me out. Take Off Your Pants and Jacket was excellent. Enema of the State was loads of fun. This isn't either of them, nor does it replace them. California is the culmination of decades of musical experience, combined with decades of life experience. No, this doesn't scream 1999, and I'm honestly glad it doesn't.This album somehow manages to convey the talent of an older, wiser Blink, while still maintaining the youthful, fuck-it-all attitude that made them so popular back in the day.To old fans, I promise you that this is still 100% Blink-182. To those who were either too young or simply missed Blink the first time around, this is a great place to get started. Dive in - the waters of California are the perfect temperature.

It's pop-y and energetic for most of the record but it's heavily overproduced. There are definitely some good tracks (Bored to Death, No Future) that sound like they belong on a blink record, but others (Sober) sound more like they belong on a Five Seconds of Summer album. The joke songs seem a little bit forced/flat and the guitar work is somewhat mediocre on a lot of songs, but neither bring the album down a whole lot. I'd suggest that anyone looking to buy the album listens to it front to back first; there's definitely mainstream appeal here, and I think it caters well to people who like Enema of the State or more modern "pop punk" bands like Five Seconds of Summer and maybe All Time Low, but comes up short for people who preferred albums like blink's self-titled or Neighborhoods like myself.

What a throwback to the days when Blink-182 wrote songs that are serious, but kept the mood light by sprinkling in some humor. I love Tom with all my heart and he is forever a part of Blink in my mind, but Matt Skiba does an amazing job of pulling off the missing piece in Blink. Mark, Travis and Matt sound like they have been playing together for years. I miss Tom Delonge and always will, but this CD took me back to the Enema of the State days and just made me feel warm and fuzzy all over. As someone who has been a diehard Blink-182 fan since the 90's when Scott Raynor was on drums before Travis was even a thought; I give this CD two thumbs up as Mr. Ebert would say. Some songs are funny, but some really speak to you and make you feel good. This CD gets back to the roots and puts Neighborhoods to shame. I can listen to this CD from start to finish and never have the urge to skip a sing. This is the Blink I have always knows. Marks voice sounds perfect as does Matts'. As always Travis kills it on the drums and delivers complex sex noise from his drums. I never thought I would say the CD was great without Tom, but they did the perfect job of pulling it off. I wish Tom the best with To The Stars, AVA and hope he shows up one day to beat out a few songs for old time sake. If I had to choose between buying food and this CD I would buy this CD. This glorious CD will never be within an arms reach of a CD player.; yes I said CD player. Could use a little more cowbell. Blink me Mark <3 no homo, but I want to see some naked dudes :-). Blink is back, tell you kids, tell you wife and shout it from the rooftops!!!  California

I can't explain how much I love this album. Every song has grown on me. Is it sad that Tom is gone? Yes, but...BUT...Matt Skiba is amazing and sounds great alongside Travis and Mark. I'd definitely say that this is the best Blink 182 album since Enema of the State. The fun is back, but there are plenty of serious moments, as well.Highlights: Bored to Death, Los Angeles, No Future, Home is Such a Lonely Place, San Diego, California.... These are all amazing. Some are faster, some slower, all are great.Beyond those tracks, I really like the rest. Nothing on here I'd consider to be filler.In a dream world, Tom would come back and Matt would also stick around. Probably not gonna happen, but it would be fantastic.Side note:John Feldman of Goldfinger produced and co-wrote most of this record. That mean you're getting the main brain from Alkaline Trio and Goldfinger with Mark and Travis. Its not a surprise that this album is so good.Buy it now! If it doesn't catch you on the first listen, give it time. Definitely gets better with each listen. I've been cranking it for the past two months.

For all the wailing and gnashing of teeth at Tom's departure I can't really see much of a change in the sound that Blink are producing. I was worried when John Feldmann was named as the producer - and you can see his influence in the sound and songwriting. But that is a very small issue when faced with 28 tunes that are pure Blink 182. The first single Bored to Death is Blink at their stadium sing-a-long best. Catchy and melodic. Even without Tom's nasal harmonies - Mark and Matt sound great together - and the tight punk harmonies never suffer.The album is mainly hit - although there are a couple tunes that maybe feel a little like Blink were thinking 'radio' - Sober is one of these - a happy clap and sing along that at times feels a bit preppy pop. Teenage Satellites also doesn't quite hit the mark - where the title track California is a wistful softly crafted ode to the State that created them.Blink have never gone for mushy tunes - even I Miss You had a dark edge to it. But on this album they have delivered some real gems. Home is Such A Lonely Place is a beautiful track that seems to allow us an insight in to the maturity that Mark has gained on his journey. It feels like a call out to Tom while also referencing his own home life. It is a startling beautiful track.Blink pride themselves on their little silly tunes - Built This Pool, Can't Get You More Pregnant and Brohemian Rhapsody are laugh out loud crackers. Pure Blink 182.The Deluxe Disc 2 is far less crafted and slightly more eclectic. Bottom of the Ocean is almost electronic while Parking Lot is punk in all its glory. It is a real mix and might jar some who are wanting EOTS x 2.I guess the best way to judge an album is how much it is being played - it has been on high rotation for me and I'm looking forward to their next tour as I really want to bounce around to Kings of the Weekend.

Beautiful patterned vinyl disks in a dark pink, and a great album from Blink 182 (sans Tom, plus Matt).Arrived swiftly and intact.The album itself is a great listen- I feel if Blink were not already established it could have taken some time to build up with the current line up, however Mark and Matt’s voices make a good harmony, and are consistent live.

California will not be remembered as one of blink's greatest albums, however, the additional tracks included with the deluxe version greatly improve the album. I ordered the deluxe pink and black marbled vinyl and it is well worth it. The records themselves look beautiful and the sleeve is a sturdy gatefold. If you're looking for California, I definitely recommend the deluxe version.

Despite loving Blink 182, I was disappointed with this album. Some tracks are too short and gimmicky. I think the absence of Tom is really telling!

Pleasantly surprised by this album. I've been a big Blink 182 all my life, so was unsure of this album with Tom's unique vocal. But it is fantastic. Some very catchy songs on this and Mark's vocal is still top class and Matt's vocal fits really well. Great album.