Angels and Airwaves attempt to define love

It’s no easy task, defining love. But then again, when it comes to one of life’s most elusive mysteries, what is easy? Certainly not expressing its worth in words, as Shakespeare spent an entire lifetime trying to do so. Not relaying its meaning on canvas, for Van Gogh lost his mind attempting to portray this significance in his paintings. So perhaps the best way to truly deliver the message, especially to our generation of iPod addicts and YouTube junkies, is through the power of song. At least that’s the hope of Angels & Airwaves. On Valentine’s Day, one of alternative rock’s most uniquely recognizable sounds decided to give it a shot with the release of their third studio album, appropriately titled “LOVE.” Unfortunately, they failed.
 But just because they were unable to achieve musical immortality by communicating to society an understanding of love only previously conveyed by the likes of John Lennon and Bono, Angels & Airwaves certainly doesn’t fail to leave a mark.
With a more progressive sound than their previous two albums, “LOVE” reaches the listener at an entirely new emotional level; an instant upgrade from the empty lyrical content of their first album and the lack of instrumental depth on their second.
 But aside from being an overall improvement from their previous work, “LOVE” actually presents two other, more specific reasons for seasoned fans and eager newcomers alike to get stoked.
 First, the album’s music is the backdrop of the band’s upcoming feature film of the same name; a project funded by the band and written/directed by the brilliant William Eubank.
Through an intricate web of entangled story lines, “LOVE” (the film) will use the music from the album to tell a story that the band believes “explores the fundamental human need for connection and the limitless power of hope that resonates a common truth: that everyone has a story to tell and something even greater to leave behind.” Sound intriguing?
Secondly, it’s free. So uninstall Limewire and forget about Napster. Your illegal endeavors to savoring the music you crave without paying an irritating $0.99 per song on iTunes can be abandoned, at least for today. The band is offering “LOVE” as a free download on their website to anyone interested in hearing their take on answering the aforementioned life-altering questions about love and the human condition; and, at a price like that, who wouldn’t be? It’s like expecting to pay for a nice steak dinner with your girlfriend only to have her tell you she would rather grab a $5 box at Taco Bell – everybody wins.
 So in the end, Angels & Airwaves may not be in an artistic category worthy of a legendary 16th century poet or a historic 19th century painter, but they seem to be comfortable enough in their role as artists paving the way for the limitless wonders of imagination in the 21st century. In a world too often plagued by hatred and immorality, Angels & Airwaves do their best to give a uniquely inspired glimpse into their hope for a much different world – one dominated not by hatred, but by the infinite power of love.