I-Empire is the second studio album by alternative rock band Angels & Airwaves. It was officially released worldwide on November 1, 2007 from the Angels & Airwaves website, where it was available for download. Then it was released on CD on November 5 in the UK and November 6 in the USA and Canada.

Production

Angels & Airwaves started work on I-Empire in the beginning of 2007. It was the first album ever recorded at Jupiter Sound (Macbeth's studio).

On May 20, 2007, in an interview with Alternative Radio, the band said that the album was 60-70% complete and that the record would be out in October or November 2007. DeLonge also stated that the album would continue the element of the first album, but "times ten" and that in a story, I-Empire would follow We Don't Need to Whisper; We Don't Need to Whisper being a "re-birth" of life, and I-Empire being an album about what you do after the re-birth.

On May 30, 2007, DeLonge stated in an interview with Kerrang! that the new album would be named I-Empire and "this is as exciting as rock 'n' roll gets!"

On July 29, 2007, as a part of the 'Everybody Hurts' tour, Angels & Airwaves played 4 new songs from I-Empire for their fans. The songs played were "Secret Crowds", "Sirens", "Lifeline", and "Everything's Magic", along with live acoustic performances of "Everything's Magic", "The Gift", "Good Day", "Do It for Me Now", and "The Adventure". These songs were all recorded and leaked onto the internet, giving fans their first glimpse of I-Empire, along with the acoustic set.

Delay of release

The album was delayed multiple times before its official release. DeLonge originally stated that I-Empire would be released on October 16, 2007. The release date was later pushed back to October 23, and then November 6, 2007. The record was made available on the band's official website on November 1, 2007, however.

On October 24, 2007, I-Empire was fully leaked onto the internet, a week before its worldwide release. That same day DeLonge posted his response to the leak on the Angels & Airwaves MySpace.

I-Empire debuted at number 9 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart, with just over 66,000 copies sold in its first week. It went on to sell a further 20,000 copies in its second week. As of June 1, 2008, the album has sold 225,000 copies in the US.

Touring and promotion

On November 16, 2007, DeLonge announced on Modlife that the band were making a short film for the song "Breathe". The short film for the song was made shortly after, and was later released exclusively to premium Modlife members.

On January 30, 2008, the band embarked on their headlining North American tour, playing sold-out theaters with Meg and Dia, Ace Enders and The Color Fred. The tour was completed on March 15, 2008.

The following is a sample setlist, taken from a concert in Austin, Texas, US on February 8, 2008.

Main set "Call To Arms" "It Hurts" "Love Like Rockets" "Everything's Magic" "Distraction" "The Adventure" "Breathe" "Not Now / Reckless Abandon (Blink-182 Cover)" "Rite of Spring" "Good Day" "Heaven (Snippet)" "Secret Crowds" "My Firts Punk Song (Box Car Racer Cover)" "The Gift" "Sirens" "Valkyrie Missile"

Encore "Star Of Bethlehem" "True Love" "The War"

"Secret Crowds" was chosen as the second single from I-Empire, although "Call to Arms" was also considered, after receiving lots of positive feedback and decent digital sales.

On February 25, 2008, "Secret Crowds" aired on MTV2, being the band's second single from the album to hit commercial heights with a music video. It has since gone onto Kerrang TV and Scuzz in the UK.

"Breathe" is the third single taken from the I-Empire album, and the video was released on June 11, 2008.

Track listing

   1. "Call to Arms" – 5:05
   2. "Everything's Magic" – 3:51
   3. "Breathe" – 5:33
   4. "Love Like Rockets" – 4:50
   5. "Sirens" – 4:19
   6. "Secret Crowds" – 5:02
   7. "Star of Bethlehem" – 2:07
   8. "True Love" – 6:08
   9. "Lifeline" – 4:15
  10. "Jumping Rooftops" – 0:44
  11. "Rite of Spring" – 4:22
  12. "Heaven" – 6:38

Bonus tracks

    * "It Hurts" (Live from Del Mar) (UK and Indie) – 4:21
    * "The Adventure" (Live from Del Mar) (Indie) – 5:18
    * "The Gift" (Acoustic) (iTunes) – 3:48
    * "The Adventure" (Acoustic) (Target) – 3:18
    * "Good Day" (Acoustic) (Target) – 2:46
    * "Everything's Magic" (Acoustic) (Best Buy) – 3:04
    * "Do It for Me Now" (Acoustic) (Best Buy) – 3:46

Professional reviews

• All Music Guide
• Amazon.com (Editorial)
• Billboard
• IGN 77%
• Kerrang!
• MEN
• NME 3/10
• The Onion (A.V. Club)
• Patrol Magazine 6.7/10 link
• PopMatters
• Punknews.org
• Rolling Stone
• Ultimate Guitar

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See also...

- I-Empire Lyrics
- Everything's Magic
- Secret Crowds
- Breathe
- We Don't Need To Whisper