When this album came out it was like Jesus' second coming.
Originally +44 was only going to be a side project to blink-182, when Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker noticed that Tom DeLonge was becoming less and less interested in blink. After blink-182 announced their "indefinate hiatus" in February 2005, former members, Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker wanted to continue working on music. The duo began to collaborate which resulted in writing and recording new songs together in Travis' basement. Originally, electronic drums, keyboards, and direct computer recordings were used in the majority of recordings. Barker later stated that the whole electronic element of the band was derived from "155", the first song he and Hoppus wrote as a band (the song title is simply the tempo of the recording).
As work continued on the demos, "Get the Girl" vocalist Carol Heller was invited by Hoppus and Barker to try out her vocals. Heller's performance was agreeable enough to the band and as a result the three kept working on more songs together. The band's lineup changed again early 2006, with the addition of guitarist Shane Gallagher. In order to progress with their demos, Barker and Hoppus acquired a studio, a move which marked a major turning point for +44. Travis Barker said in an interview that he recorded Chapter 13 (which happens to be track 12) in one take without hearing the lyrics or the whole song in its entirety. He wanted to re-record it after he heard the final recording of the song but the guys in the band wouldn't let him. They thought he nailed it (which is not uncommon of Travis...he's one of the best drummers out there, and his talent is undeniably evident on this album).
The band began working solely in the studio they had purchased, playing live drums, guitars and vocals. The band's sound had started with an electronic element which became less evident, but still remained a key feature. As a result, Heller found she wasn't compatible with the band's direction, and with the addition of her wish to start a family, she left the band. The vocal work that Heller contributed is still present in the songs "Make You Smile", "Weatherman", and the early mix of "No, It Isn't". After this, Hoppus, Barker, and Gallagher were left to find a new backing vocalist. Guitarist Craig Fairbaugh of "Mercy Killers" then joined the band.
As the projected release date grew nearer, it was believed that the album would be called "A Little Death Makes Life More Meaningful," which was later revealed to be a lyrics from the song "Little Death." Mark finally settled on "When Your Heart Stops Beating". The band played their first gig on the September 7, 2006 (my birthday!) in Hollywood, which was the first live show that Mark had played in two years. The album was released on November 14, 2006 in North America.
Note: On August 6, 2007, Mark announced on his blog, HiMyNameIsMark, that plans were underway for a new album (to be released on Interscope Records).I could go on and on about this album, but I don't want to bore you. Let me just say this: eclectic. catchy. wonderful.
"We’ve got a bunch of ideas; a studio full of instruments, microphones, and effects; and a soundboard from the 1970’s."
-Hoppus
mediafire | BONUS (acoustic songs)
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