See What New/Old blink-182 Fans Are Saying About NINE

It's been just shy of a week since blink-182 released their exceptional return-to-form album NINE last week (our in-depth review here) and now that new and old fans have had the chance to sit on the album for a period of time, we thought we'd gauge how everyone was feeling about the latest release (which could be the band's first #1 album in Australia).

We reached out to a bunch of blink fans including the long-term dedicated ones, the new blood, the ones who lost their way following California and the ones who have an opinion on everything, just to see what songs they're vibing and if there is a communal appreciation for a particular song or songs... the end result is here:

The No Heart To Speak Of Frothers

Scott Eckel @makeoutscott
(MAKEOUT/Five North Drummer/Long Term Blink Fanboy)

NINE is where blink really hit their stride since losing Tom, with Skiba cementing his role and the trio bringing back the experimental approach that we fell in love with back in 2003

1. No Heart To Speak Of
2. Black Rain
3. I Really Wish I Hated You
4. Hungover You
5. Heaven

Jacko Darmody @JackoDarmo
(WoS Assistant Meme Lord/Long Term Tom Era Blink Fan)

Thought it was average, then it grew on me haha I really like NINE now, it's great. I'm converted but it still needs more Tom...

1. No Heart To Speak Of
2. Darkside
3. Blame It On My Youth
4. Ransom
5. Black Rain

Lucas Tompkins @lucas_tompkins
(Fan Of ALL Eras Of Blink)

This album blew my expectations away. Exactly how blink-182 should sound in 2019. These guys really excel at writing heartbreaking songs!

1. No Heart To Speak Of
2. On Some Emo Shit
3. Black Rain
4. Hungover You
5. Heaven

Buddha182 @DannyBoyyy182
(All Era Blink Fan)

This album is what California should have sounded like. They figured out the perfect sound for new blink.

1. No Heart To Speak Of
2. On Some Emo Shit
3. The First Time
4. Heaven
5. Remember To Forget Me [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDIR9gkAv88&w=853&h=480]

The Black Rain Brigade

Paul 'Browny' Brown @brownypaul
(Wall of Sound Boss Man/Long Term Tom Era Blink Fan)

When this album landed in my inbox to review, I knew it was something special the minute I pressed play and got past the singles. As a lot of people/fans have said, the singles were NOT the best representation of this album and once you get past 'Generational Divide', NINE explodes in the second half with some of the best songs they've released with their new lineup. I've had it on repeat since it came out last week and these are the songs I'm belting out at full volume (especially in the car).

1. Black Rain
2. Hungover You
3. No Heart To Speak Of
4. Darkside
5. I Really Wish I Hated You

Josh Murphy @smellychops
(Flangipanis Guitarist/Tragic Tom Era Fan)

This is a tricky album, the sins of California are definitely still present but there’s some great songs under them at least. I’m honestly still surprised how much the singles grew on me. Also, Skiba finally sounds like himself and it’s fucking excellent! It’s 100% Skiba season!

1. Black Rain
2. No Heart to Speak Of
3. Darkside
4. Blame It On My Youth
5. On Some Emo Shit[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHQ_xMJ6SdQ&w=853&h=480]

The First Time-ers

Tamara May @citylightsTAM
(Wall of Sound Pop Punk Expert/All Eras Since Enema of the State Blink Fan)

I was a fan of California (sorry Browny!) and have generally loved everything Blink-182 have released since the early 2000s. However, I gotta say there were definitely mixed feelings in the lead up to NINE. My least favourite song released early was 'I Really Wish I Hated You', but when NINE was officially out, I heard 'The First Time' and it reminded me of my all-time fave Blink song 'Feeling This'. Also, the more you listen to each song, the more you start to love it! I can even kinda enjoy 'I Really Wish I Hated You' now!

1. The First Time
2. Darkside
3. Black Rain
4. Hungover You
5. Happy Days

Toby Bramley@akaNorman
(AM//PM Boss Man/World's Biggest Blink Fan!)

To be honest, I expected to hate this album and it really caught me by surprise. I haven't been able to stop listening and it feels like Skiba has really found his place as the new 'lead singer'.

1. The First Time
2. No Heart To Speak Of
3. Darkside
4. Black Rain
5. Hungover You

Luke Hopewell@lukehopewell
(Tech Writer/Old School Blink Fan)

When Mark Hoppus said that the new album would be more like the group's experimental untitled album from 2003, I was hyped. In reality, the album sounds a lot like a collection of brilliant B-sides from California, which to me signals that the band is embracing the sound and influence of their new cohort. In an age of collaboration, however, I'd kill for some female voices on a Blink album. Given that Travis Barker knows and works with everyone, how hard would it be to bring some shithot lady vocals onto a track?

1. The First Time
I have an insanely short attention span. I think all songs could do with being about a verse shorter, and Blink is nailing that in the opening track of the album.
2. Darkside
It's amazing how these new Blink songs start so subtle before diving right into the classic sound. It's a real sign of a band embracing how it writes songs over two decades
3. Generational Divide
There's something about this song that I can't put my finger in and I love it. Seriously though this is like Blink meets The Living End and I'd kill for a collab
4. Black Rain
This is the self-titled experimentalism I was hoping for
5. On Some Emo Shit
Why does this sound like a narrative sequel to The Rock Show? Singing to the girl he's now broken up with

Matt Bertucci @himynameismatt__
(Pro Sausage Maker/Obsessed Blink Fan)

After many listens to this album it’s great to see the band keep a true sense of their continuity at the core, they show their ability to face change, accept the collision and be able to learn and grow (whilst keeping their nursery rhymes on steroids ideology). NINE truly pays homage to the band’s entire catalogue while keeping them relevant and as fun as ever.

1. The First Time
2. Happy Days
3. I Really Wish I Hated You
4. Blame It On My Youth
5. Pin The Grenade

Wolfjay @wolfjay_
(Blink-182 Untitled Fanatic)

I don’t think NINE takes any huge risks, but it shows that everyone involved in its production knows exactly what Blink is and what the band means to so many people. A confident and self assured Blink-182 album in 2019 is a really welcome comfort in these wild times.

1. The First Time
2. Hungover You
3. Blame It On My Youth
4. No Heart To Speak Of
5. Remember To Forget Me[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayXPRkTU3ZM&w=853&h=480]

The Hungover You Hurters

Chris Cillizza @dombarker211
(Self-Unentitled Stan)

NINE greatly surpassed the expectations set by the Darkside video

1. Hungover You
2. Ransom
3. Black Rain
4. The First Time
5. Heaven[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDIV2sYhmOo&w=853&h=480]

The I Really Wish I Hated You Club

Brad Smith @bradws13
(Cambridge/Heroes For Hire Frontman/Tom Era Blink Fan)

Like a lot of people, I went into this album with my bring back the old blink shirt on! Thankfully I’m happy I was proven wrong when listening to it and can say once I got into the meat of the album, I was sold that the band I have loved for 20+ years has returned to something I love

1. I Really Wish I Hated You
2. The First Time
3. Darkside
4. No Heart To Speak Of
5. On Some Emo Shit[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9asRPqPbjo&w=853&h=480]
6. It's not too late to jump on the bandwagon.Listen to/Buy NINE here

1. blink-182 – NINE tracklisting
2. 1. The First Time2. Happy Days3. Heaven4. Darkside5. Blame It On My Youth6. Generational Divide7. Run Away8. Black Rain9. I Really Wish I Hated You10. Pin the Grenade11. No Heart To Speak Of12. Ransom13. On Some Emo Shit14. Hungover You15. Remember To Forget Me
3. [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQ-NycSnGsc&w=853&h=480]