15 Greatest Pop Punk Albums Of The 2000s
11. The All-American Rejects - The All-American Rejects
Yes, Move Along thrusted them onto the big stages of festivals and made them radio darlings for a brief time, but it was their self-titled debut that established their killer brand of sprightly pop punk.
That's not to say this album wasn't every bit as angsty and sappy as most of their peers, it's just that AAR was able to dress it up with a curiously satisfying blend of lo-fi production and glimmering melodies.
They also knew how to introduce a song in epic fashion, didn't they? Whether it's the majestic organ mixing with stifled guitar crunches on "Swing, Swing" or the grainy, radio feedback edging into a beautiful, baroque string arrangement on "The Last Song," those boys could really build anticipation for a tune.
What really differentiates this album from the slew of other pop punk releases in 2002 is the level of bravado you hear. There's not a glimmer of self-doubt in these songs, and that confidence is infectious.