Angels & Airwaves

First, let's get one thing clear -- if you abbreviate, it's AVA. Tom DeLonge of Blink-182 (on indefinite hiatus) realized after he named his new band that AAA just had too many automobile connotations for a dude totally into planes and UFOs. So he inverted the middle A and it magically became a V, spelling his daughter's name, which adds another layer to this complicated and spiritual debut, which DeLonge describes as the best music he's ever made.

Before you jump down the man's throat, listen to the music. DeLonge channels his inner Edge for an audience born after U2, beginning numerous songs with repetitive, echo-laden guitar. He backs his vocals with more of his own vocals and generally glosses over his pop-punk roots with thick layers of studio production. Seeking the serious consideration that Blink-182's image (and fart jokes) had precluded, DeLonge tinkles with synthesizers while pondering the "bigger things in life," including what would happen if God came to visit ("A Little's Enough"). Of course, he'd probably skip the concert in favor of sitting on a bedroom floor, listening to AVA by candlelight, vomiting into his throat a little.