OPINION: Without Tom Delonge, Matt Skiba Is The Best Thing To Happen To Blink-182

Blink-182 have finally found their groove again with new album, Nine, and it’s not a stretch to say it’s largely in part to new(ish) vocalist/guitarist Matt Skiba, who has seemingly been given more creative input on his second LP replacing Tom Delonge.

Many longtime fans of the band, or those who reside firmly in Camp Delonge, think of Skiba as an evil step-parent who swooped in and ruined everything, and you’ll see every post the band makes littered with negative comments about bassist Mark Hoppus and drummer Travis Barker’s decision to replace Delonge with the Alkaline Trio member back in 2015.

As a huge Alkaline Trio fan – and borderline Skiba stalker – as well as someone who idolises Delonge, the situation leaves me in an interesting place.

On one hand, I want blink-182 feat. Matt Skiba to be amazing because Matt Skiba is amazing. On the other hand, as far as I'm concerned, blink-182 is not and will never be blink-182 without Tom Delonge.

I’ll be the first to say I had serious reservations around Nine, especially when lead single Blame On My Youth dropped. It had less-than-desirable production, cheesy lyrics and didn’t really point at big things to come. Generational Divide came next, which showed a little more promise, but felt like a token ‘punk rock’ effort, and even Happy Days came across as a little bland at first. Then Darkside appeared, which featured Skiba heavily and the classic sound he’s becoming known for; dark lyrics with theatrical and oddly uplifting melodies. Still, that excitement was quickly snuffed out when the band dropped the song’s critically-panned music video, which featured a bunch of children doing dance moves from Fortnite. Why?

Commercially, those songs did make the most sense in regards to singles, but they’re far from the album’s best material, as evident now that we have the whole album for context.

While their 2016’s California, the band’s first album without Delonge, had some great songs (Teenage Satellites, Left Alone), it still felt like a departure from blink-182, and would have been better suited for the trio to start a new band as they were still finding their sound. They were also seemingly trying a little too hard to hold onto what blink-182 used to be, with songs like Brohemian Rhapsody and Built This Pool sounding like cheap knock-offs from Take Off Your Pants And Jacket, and while She’s Out Of Her Mind sounded like classic blink, there was nothing new to it.

But, again, commercially, it made way more sense to continue under the name blink-182, as they’d likely be playing club shows or theatres instead of stadiums and arenas if they had launched a new project.

The best thing about California was a refreshed energy, something lost on the band’s previously two releases with Delonge, 2011 comeback album Neighbours and follow-up EP Dogs Eating Dogs. Yes, those were decent albums and did feature some awesome songs, but the chemistry was gone, and the best songs on those releases didn’t even come close to the group’s acclaimed pre-breakup self-titled LP, which many pop punk fans consider a near-perfect release.

With Nine, we now have an album that feels like a worthy follow-up; a collection of songs that not only define blink-182 in 2019, but are also worthy of the name. And who do we have to thank for that? Look at two of the album’s best songs: No Heart To Speak Of and Run Away – these are songs that would sit comfortably on an Alkaline Trio album. Hell, No Heart To Speak Of feels like Alkaline Trio feat. Mark Hoppus on a verse cameo.

The group’s renewed energy is also seemingly rubbing off on Hoppus and Barker, with songs like The First Time and Happy Days feeling like classic tunes +44 - the latter of which is given more depth in context of the whole album - while tunes Black Rain, Hungover You and On Some Emo Shit, which bring together the best elements from each member, are when Hoppus, Barker and Skiba find their groove.

As far as blink-182 albums go, Nine, is a solid effort that goes a long way in revitalising the band’s image. And while there is hope of Delonge returning to the band at some stage - he's previously said as much and is even playing a medley of blink songs on Angels & Airwaves current tour - it seems unlikely that will happen anytime soon, given how busy he is chasing aliens (he might actually be onto something) as well as producing new music for AVA.

For those unfamiliar with Alkaline Trio, educate yourself: