Already, I-Empire is one of the best albums of the year (if not THE best). Of all the CD's I've listened to this year, this one, by far, is very optimistic and uplifting, to say the least. The anthemic, 80's synth-pop, stadium-rock sound works very well here. And if it does sound formulaic, so be it! Very heartfelt and inspirational too! Tom DeLonge has definitely come a long way from his Blink-182 days, and I'm all the more glad for it! Instead of the usual bratty, toilet humor, we get mature, "reach for the sky" sentiments, that is, keep going, no matter what happens to you in life. Honestly, I think that's what we need more nowadays. By the way, forget about that Rolling Stone critic who gave this fine CD only 2 1/2 stars. According to the review, "Blink-182 guitarist is all grown up and synth-poppy. But is that a good thing?" I certainly think so!

** ADDENDUM **

Angels & Airwaves' new album, LOVE, is already available as a FREE download. Just head over to the band's web site now!

the guys do it for a 2nd time. A&A make another high quality, energy filled yet important cd with a message. Its done while having fun and going through different moods from tracks like "Everything's Magic" its fun and irressitible song for them to "Star of Bethlehem" a two minute interlude...unlike other interludes on other albums this one actually warrants listening to.

I was a fan from their first cd "We Don't Need To Whisper" with "I-Empire" the guys have firmly established themselves in this music industry and can/will only go up from here. As this cd is one that can't be ignored by folks at all. Loving the cd from beginning to end it flows from one track to the next with an ease that you seldom experience.

First one was all that...2nd one is all that and so much more!!

5/5 overall

There is something special about this band! I sense a very positive, energetic approach to this album. I felt the same way about the first album "We Don't Need to Whisper" but even more so on this second release. I enjoyed all the songs and will listen to it several more times this week. Who can I compare them to .............

probably no-one! They are quite unique. Very unlike most of the new stuff coming out. If you liked their first album, you will certainley like this album. (maybe even better). Great Job Angels and Airwaves!

This is easily the best CD I've heard all year. The human spirit permeates every song. Tom DeLonge has managed to give musical form to the intangible and timeless. The CD is not so much a collection of 12 songs as it is a 53-minute sonic sunrise. Superb!

Angels and Airwaves have put together an outstanding follow up to Whisper.

Keep it up, I flat out love this album and I think that Tom Delonge gets a lot of the credit, but he has some sensational mates to work with. Takes all of them to put together something this sharp.

AVA has some of the best build ups in the business and most of that is due to the layering of the music if that makes any sense. And to top it off, they have some of the best finishes in the business.

Lifeline is probably my favorite track on the album and the song should resonate with listeners. "We all make mistakes, here's your lifeline" is a song for the ages. Again the layers leading up to the final bridge is soothing to the senses and it hits home.

AVA loves to use the O O O Oh Ohh, and I love to hear them and it does remind me of U2's early days. So catchy and I hope they are able to release a single to exploit how easy it is to sing along.

Sirens seems like it could be a great single with some very catchy lines and AVA seems to be having fun with the song. "I Do this from time to Time, where I like to watch you as you sleep"

Secret Crowds goes for the power chords and delivers and hopefully captures some serious airplay on every rock station in the country.

Breathe is the slow song on the album, and it slowly builds, has a great drum beat, and finishes in typical AVA fashion. AVA seems to work with a second bridge and they are onto something here. They can save some songs completely with the ending.

Everything's Magic is very catchy tune and it introduces us to the new bass guitarist who really shines on this track.

The whole band seems to have evolved since the first release and I get the feeling this is more than just Tom's band now. This is a group effort and they have put out one of the best albums in the last decade. I loved Whisper, and felt the growth from Blink/Box Car was tangible, but they have grown leaps and bounds from the first album, so much so, that I am wondering just how high this band can go, and how much they have to offer over the next couple of decades.

I know I will scoop up everything they release. I am sold on AVA, and they deliver with depth and scope, and with songs that can be played over and over again without getting old. That is something that makes a great album, and I am happy to be a part of this fantastic empire.