About.com Rating

The Bottom Line

After 2 mammoth, upbeat pop radio hit singles from their latest album Move Along, it is logical that All-American Rejects' next single would be a ballad. "It Ends Tonight" will provide a suitably dreamy sounding late evening mood for the band's eager fans, but it fails to reach the distinctiveness of the previous hits "Dirty Little Secret" and "Move Along."

Watch the video of "It Ends Tonight."

Rate it yourself.



Pros

• Tyson Ritter's nearly over-the-top vocals
• Classic pop-rock ballad melody

Cons

• Bland, ambiguous lyrics

Description

• Basic melody pounded out on solo piano
• Vocals that are anything but subtle
• Swells into a classic rock ballad

Guide Review - All-American Rejects - It Ends Tonight

It seems that All-American Rejects have been inescapable for the past year on pop radio although they have only released 2 hit singles during that time. However, those 2 singles, "Dirty Little Secret" and "Move Along," are two of the most durable upbeat pop hits of the past 12 months. Now, to help consolidate their success, the band have released a soaring pop ballad to take them through the 2006 holidays.

"It Ends Tonight" features the nearly over-the-top, but ultimately endearing, vocals of Tyson Ritter and an instrumental mix that puts it squarely in classic rock ballad territory. The lyrics kick off in intriguing fashion with "Your subtleties / They strangle me," but that is as good as it gets. Ultimately, it's a grandly ambiguous tune about the end of a generic relationship.

"It Ends Tonight" is rushing up the pop singles chart to be the 3rd major hit from the album Move Along just as the band makes plans to re-enter the studio to record their 3rd studio album. Look for this song to close out 2006 near, or in, the pop top 10.