Blink-182 Discuss New Album, Barker Says Last Few CDs 'Phoned In'

(Radio.com) Blink-182 strove to summon new energy and inspiration as it entered the writing process for its upcoming album "California," which is scheduled to be released on July 1st.

"To be honest, the last couple albums were, in my opinion, phoned in," drummer Travis Barker told Rolling Stone. This time the band worked in Barker's Los Angeles studio in a more focused environment, which Barker said was inspirational.

"We did 28 songs in a month and a half," he said. "It was awesome. The chemistry was great. Everyone was in the studio putting in work, being creative. When you get that momentum going, the possibilities are endless."

Vocalist and guitarist Mark Hoppus said California contains a mix of old Blink sounds and newer, more experimental material. The lyrical themes, however, remain familiar: "I write less about high-school stuff now than I did 15 or 20 years ago, but the topics are universal," said Hoppus. "There is a lot of angst that could be teen angst or it could be angst of everyday life. I still have the same emotions I had 20 years ago - I get frustrated or I get excited. I still feel like I'm falling in love with my wife." Read more here.

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