Review: 'Dogs eating dogs (EP)' - Blink 182

As three of the few to survive an era of pop-punk world domination, you could easily call Tom DeLonge, Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker elder statesmen.

Blink 182 helped to define the late 1990s and the pop punk genre, and while much of their competition faded into obscurity years ago; they continued to grow as musicians and – since overcoming years of estrangement, solo projects and guitarist Tom Delonge's grandiousity to release Neighbourhoods in 2011 – remain a force on the international alternative rock music scene.

While quite enjoyable, Neighbourhoods suffered from being a little too scattergun and disconnected (which will happen when you’re emailing tracks between two different studios). The Dogs eating dogs EP, on the other hand, is a hell of a lot closer to the Blink 182 I grew up loving – DeLonge and Hoppus still write catchy guitar riffs and harmonise better than many of their contemporaries, and their lyrics show a maturity far surpassing the level that their (now less frequent) dick jokes would suggest. 'When I was young' kicks off the album and almost sounds Angels and Airwaves-esque, but once Hoppus and Barker’s solid rhythm kicks in underneath DeLonge's trademark, nasally-sneer – there’s no doubt you’re listening to a (once again) cohesive and together Blink 182. The title track is fast and angry, features trademark rolling drums from Barker and alternating vocals from Hoppus and DeLonge, and is a definite highlight. ‘Pretty little girl’ is probably the weakest track on the EP but is still solid, and includes an unexpected vocal guest spot from rapper Yelawolf. 

Where the boys have come from and how they’re dividing their musical interest is clearly on display throughout the EP – you can easily identify sounds that recall Angels and Airwaves, +44 and even Box Car Racer – but unlike their previous full length effort, the guys are a lot closer to finding their classic sound once again. Dogs eating dogs certainly isn’t perfect, and the boys will undoubtedly be confronted with former diehards decrying the band’s departure from the sounds that made them superstars. But ‘Dammit’ was a long time ago. At the very least this EP is a sign that the future is bright, the guys are together again and the music they’re producing is contributing to their legacy rather than tarnishing it. At its best, it’s 20 minutes of catchy tunes and nostalgia.

3.5/5

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