I-Empire
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Making of the album
In an interview with alternative radio on May 20, 2007, Tom DeLonge said that the album was 60-70% complete and that the record should be out in October 2007. DeLonge also stated that the album would continue the element of the first album but "times ten", and that in a story, I-Empire would follow We Don't Need to Whisper; We Don't Need to Whisper being a 're-birth' of life, and I-Empire being an album about what you do after the re-birth. On July 29, 2007 he said that I-Empire and We Don't Need To Whisper together, should make one complete album. On May 30, 2007, Tom DeLonge stated in an interview with Kerrang![2] that the new album would be named I-Empire and this is as exciting as rock 'n' roll gets!
Angels and Airwaves started work on the album in the beginning of 2007. I-Empire is going to be the first album ever recorded in the Macbeth Studio.
In an online chat on June 14, 2007, the band said that they did have some song names, including Secret Crowds. Tom DeLonge had previously stated that there would be 11-13 tracks on the album in an interview with Alternative Addiction. Yet, in an online chat with "Teen Music" the band confirmed that there are ten tracks on the new album and they are also working on acoustics for each song.
On June 19, 2007, the words "If I had my own world, I'd build you an empire" appeared on the band's website. It is a line from "Secret Crowds." Also on July 12, 2007, the words "Secret crowds rise up and gather" were posted on the group's myspace page.
On July 16, 2007, on the band's website, they released a video teaser for the new album, accompanied by the music from Star of Bethlehem. The text "10.07" beneath the teaser confirmed the October 2007 release that DeLonge previously referenced. After the video, the page will revert back to what it was, a man on a motorcycle, a sample of a new song, and a soundbyte of a speech from President Eisenhower.
In the July 18, 2007 edition of Kerrang magazine, Tom DeLonge confirmed 5 track names from the new album. They are "Star Of Bethlehem", "Secret Crowds", "Breath", "Sirens" and "Everything's Magic".
At an acoustic show on July 29, 2007, as a part of the 'Everybody Hurts' Tour, Angels & Airwaves played 4 new songs from I-Empire for the fans. The songs were Secret Crowds, Sirens, Lifeline, and Everything's Magic along with an acoustic version of Everything's Magic. At the show they also played four acoustic songs from their debut album, We Don't Need To Whisper, including Good Day, Do It For Me Now, The Gift and The Adventure.
On August 29, 2007, Angels & Airwaves updated their website with a new trailer for the upcoming album. The trailer shows a montage of video from the upcoming I-Empire film and the upcoming documentary entitled "Start the Machine". A new song by the band plays in the background, the title of which is unknown. Possible album art for I-Empire was shown near the end of the video, and in a clip of the short film for "Everything's Magic", DeLonge was shown to have a large acting role. The video also confirms the release date of I-Empire to be October 23rd. The film can be viewed on their official website or on YouTube. A recent message on the official Angels and Airwaves myspace stated i-Empire would be delayed until November 6th. The original release date was October 23rd.
Track Listings=
An early edition of the september Kerrang! article on I-Empire had leaked on thursday September 6th. It confirms the track listing and talks about each song:
1. "Cosmonaut" - 5:49
Cosmonaut is basically "Astronaut" in Russian. The song starts off with a small little toy piano, which then quickly fades to a delayed guitar piece. When the lyrics "Im almost there" come in, and echoes from the left to the right ear, you quickly understand what Tom Delonge is going for with I-Empire.
2. "Sirens"- 4:16
Sirens starts off different than your usual Angels & Airwaves song. It starts off with a small bassline with some snapping sounds in the background. During the chorus Tom sings "I do this from time to time, Where I could never wake from a bad dream" over very 80's like music.
3. "As Lovely As Night" - 3:35
As Lovely As Night has a very familiar sound. It sounds like something from U2 and resembles "Where the streets have no name". It starts with a small beeping sound, and quickly fades into a delay riff that is just a small part of the landscape this song is, with snapping sounds resembling those of Sirens, and small keyboard riffs. After the verse starts and Tom sings "If I had one more chance, I'd do it all again". During the chorus, the song fades from the anthemic verse to a very soft bass only chorus where Tom sings "You were almost mine, but as time passed by, I grew scared of your sight, You're about as lovely as night".
4. "Lifeline" - 4:22
Lifeline starts with a very strange flute like sound, and very mechanical drums. This grew to be a favourite here at Kerrang!. During the verse Tom sings "With an urgent careful stare, I see panic in those eyes, If i see you lying there, Hoping this was the last time" And during the chorus Tom Proclaims "We all make mistakes, here's your lifeline" over a slightly delayed guitar.
5. "Pinnacle" - 5:21
Pinnacle starts off with just a slow delayed guitar part that quicky grows into a sound unlike any other song we've heard at Kerrang!. It sounds like U2 mixed with The Cure and Pink Floyd. The bass very strong and sudden, the drums loud and to the point, and a grand piano playing a really breath taking melody. During the chorus Tom sings "Your love is my pinnacle", while in the background, the toy piano makes a second appearance on I-Empire. This track is another favourite here at Kerrang!
6. “Everything’s Magic” - 3:59
Everything’s Magic is Angels & Airwaves first single off I-Empire. The video was just released last week. The song starts off with loud drums, and a very 80’s sound. During the chorus Tom sings “So hear this please, and watch as your heart speeds up endlessly, and look for the stars as the sun goes down,each breathe that you take has a thunderous sound. This track is the most upbeat song on the album.
7. “Sorry’s The Word” - 5:49 Sorry’s The Word is the slowest song on the album, with Lifeline closely behind it. The song starts with a smooth, saddening bass line. Tom then comes in with “Lada, dada, daa, Sorry’s the word” with slight delay on the vocals. During the first verse Tom sings “So if you believe, you can make a difference, but this time around, don’t keep your distance”.
8. “Secret Crowds” - 5:01
Secret Crowds is planned by Angels & Airwaves to be the second single set to release in early November to promote the album. The song starts off with a very strange mixed sound of drums, and what seems to be a muted guitar. His vocals echo and fade in and out slowly over the intro singing “If I had my own World, I’d build you and Empire”. The intro fades into a very loud powerchord anthemic sound similiar to that in “The War”. During the chorus Tom sings “Let me heal you, carry you higher, watch your words spread hope like fire”.
9. “Breath” - 4:56
Breath starts of with a slow drum beat and tom singing “I see you dreaming, take a deep breath” over a ska sounding guitar similiar to that in the chorus of “Everything’s Magic” During the Verse Tom sings “I believe you will find a new hope, just look deeper inside you”
10. “You’re My Only Fear”- 6:52
You’re My Only Fear is quite possibly the best ending track to an album ever. With a mechanical sounding guitar starting off, the song quickly progresses into an anthemic song with army like snare drums and U2 like guitar sounds. His voice echoes over the intro “Here we are, I feel your heart”. During the verse Tom sings “I’d like to say, that you’re my only fear” over a smooth drum beat. During the chorus Tom cries out “I can make it happen, Just have faith in me, rely on me, and depend on me”.
11. "Star Of Bethlehem" (UK Bonus Track)
Previously released on a Christmas compilation. This is an extended version, with a new chorus.
Singles
The first single from I-Empire will be Everything's Magic.
The song first surfaced as a bootleg recording on July 31, 2007, when drummer Atom Willard played four new songs on his iPod at a private Angels & Airwaves show.
Everything's Magic was played on KROQ Radio on 25 August 2007, and after that, the song was fully leaked. Soon, the song was put on the US iTunes Store on 28 August 2007.
In the UK, Everything's Magic was available to download from September 3, 2007. This will be followed by a 7" picture disc and a CD single on October, 17, 2007, all featuring exclusive, previously unreleased b-sides.
