Blink 182 Bears Impressive Fangs With Its New EP "Dogs Eating Dogs"

Overall Blink 182 admirably tweaks its sound enough to assure followers they aren't the "All The Small Things" boys anymore. Their tight as coiled string enthusiasm remains but the ongoing addition of mature, complex edges make "Dogs Eating Dogs" a keep you on the edge of your seat surprise package of expression. Sliding drummer Travis Barker under the microscope I'm  impressed by how capably shifts from supporting player to potential scene stealer. "When I Was Young" opens with him huffing and puffing in the background. Soon after he rushed into the foreground like a rowdy high school football team running through the tunnel and tearing up their homecoming logo. The title track finds Travis ripping into the kit as if he just received word the world would end tomorrow and now respects where he channels his aggressions. Vocalist Mark Hoppus comes off as urgent but not without purpose. While navigating the song's pulse-pounding parameters his yen for a psychological center is a moving gem to behold. As against the wall as he feels there must, he thinks in his more lucid moments, be a position of strength grittier than suicide but not as debauchery based as sex. "Boxing Day' scores as a nod to how one obtains death with dignity in the romance department. Tom DeLonge, this trio's other vocal dynamo and resident lead guitarist, leaves you wanting to throw open your arms in a gesture of selfless reassurance. His lover broke his heart on Boxing Day, a holiday Canadians observe the day after Xmas. Mark comes to grips with the finality of what has gone down. This tasteful antithesis of self-pity derives much of its grace from the acoustic backdrop masterfully hammered in place. This breakup allows dignity to be preserved on both sides, which is a refreshing break from the pandemic blame many a tunesmith resorts to. This song is the jewel of the EP. Blink 182 was never really inaccessible as a band but this song should put any doubts to rest. "Disaster" doesn't sprinkle subtlety all over your ears in its tortured musings on eternal darkness. White hollow eyes and floating light as air, dove peaceful souls are but a few of the graphic visuals at work here. Black is the prevailing shade and there's plenty to go around. "Pretty Little Girl" commands attention due to its broad stroke examination of two lovers and the road they wish to walk on. Each person is content to play his role in this romantic entanglement. She breaks up with him. She returns to him. They try again. At its core is a lovable playfulness. She works her hand up his arm lusciously. He's content with this gesture even after the anticipated separation part of the power play comes to pass. "Dogs Eating Dogs" is filled with meaty themes and the bursts of vigor to back them up. Only 5 cuts but Blink 182 makes the most of them.