Move Along (2005) - All-American Rejects
The All-American Rejects were formed in Stillwater, Oklahoma in 1999. Currently the band consists of Tyson Ritter on bass and vocals, Mike Kennerty on rhythm guitar, Nick Wheeler on lead guitar, and Chris Gaylor on drums. They caught their first break in 2002 with the release of their self-titled album, when the band’s founding members, Tyson and Nick, were just 18 and 20 years old. The album features the hit single “Swing, Swing” and went platinum, setting the stage for their breakthrough second album, Move Along (2005) which solidified their status with major hits such as “Dirty Little Secret," “Move Along,” and “It Ends Tonight.” These singles all reached the top 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the album was certified triple platinum in 2024. Currently the album has racked up over one billion streams on Spotify.
Move Along was produced by Howard Benson, an American record producer from Havertown, Pennsylvania. Benson has been nominated for two Grammy Awards and has produced notable albums such as: Daughtry’s self titled (2006) and My Chemical Romance’s Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge (2004). Move Along was released in July 2005 and by the end of the year they began The Rise of the Fall Tour with “The Academy Is…” and “Rooney.” The album begins with their hit “Dirty Little Secret” which currently has surpassed 500 million streams on Spotify. “Move Along” and “It Ends Tonight” are the other albums top songs and sit at tracks three and four. “Night Drive” a track that explores themes of obsession, longing, and control wrapped in a tense, seductive atmosphere. The album even includes an acoustic version of the track at the very end that brings out the emotion and slow-burning rhythm. All in all this is a 2000s American rock classic that has an amazing mid 90s rock sound.
The All-American Rejects are making their comeback in great fashion - straight to the small town backyard with what they call the “House Party Tour.” Ritter says “We took $50,000 out of our own pockets, booked a bus, put the crew salary on, and started this wild sort of ride.” With the skyrocketing prices of concert tickets, the All-American Rejects are delivering a great message by ditching the venues entirely. Just pop-up shows in barns and backyards that have drawn crowds of more than 10,000 people. For the Chicagoans, you can catch the All-American Rejects in concert in Milwaukee on October 12th with the Jonas Brothers at the Fiserv Forum.
Grass Blade Magazine gives the All-American Reject’s 2005 Move Along a 8.5/10.
