• Compact discs!

1. January
2. Skate or Split
3. Ocelots .mp3
4. Bride of Frankenstein
5. I Don't/Detached
6. Lucky Girl .mp3
7. I'm Fine
8. Can't Control Me
9. The Christmas Song
10. Dook

Out of Print

Darlington
MySpace

Story

I got an email from Tim from Interpunk telling me that Christy was looking for a label to do the US version of "Moron-A-Thon." Naturally I was interested. After I spoke to Stefan Stardumb who at that point was in the process of getting the same States side distro as us, it didn't seem worth it to do a US version even if half the songs were to be swapped out. At that point I thought the prospect of a Darlington record on Whoa Oh was all but six feet under. Christy then came up with the idea of a studio live album where they would rerecord old songs but with a live audience in the studio, I was excited to have still have the prospect of a release on the table. A few months later I get another email from Christy saying forget it we are doing a new studio album, and here it is.

Reviews

Shredding Paper #17:

Another label, a new drummer, and another fun release of pop punk from the pen and guitar of Christy Brigette Darlington. Pure pop punk; full of hooks and fun lead guitar work, occasionally goofy lyrics, and more than a few songs about girls (or more specifically, one girl on this one, as a few songs are dedicated to "Lola," They've always taken a cue or two from the Queers "Love Songs" era, and this release is no exception; a fair amount of snot, plenty of hooks, and a lot of fun. The drumming sounds a little off on this, although it might just be the mixing that makes it sound thin.. still the songs are top notch and there is a nice contender for a good punk rock Christmas song, which the world could always use one more of, which followed by a song about pooping with the appropriate chorus of "skid marks." Does it get any better than that?

impactpress.com:

A most excellent song about taking a shit ends this disc. Dook is all you'll ever need to know about crapping. Skate rock, fast, short songs. This disc had 10 songs and clocks in at just over 20 minutes. The songs grow on you. - MK

Jersey Beat:

Productive purveyors of the pop punk, Dallas' Darlington release yet another full length on yet another label. Usually staying well within the Ramones/Screeching Weasel/Queers confines of their genre, the band has changed their songwriting style somewhat and vocalist Christy has changed his singing style to where the whole thing sounds a lot like Squirtgun. Only ten songs here so it all passes quickly, but you'll have to skip the Christmas carol! - Johnny Puke

Now Wave Magazine:

I didn't want to like this CD. After all, my dislike for the music of Darlington is almost as integral to my persona as my fondness for Plochman's mustard, my irrational fear of mimes, or my disdain for the Atlanta Braves (I TOLD you those fuckers would choke again!). For years, Darlington's generic, mediocre recorded output has justified every nasty thing that pop-punk haters have ever said about pop-punk music. Given the choice between having to watch a Julia Roberts movie marathon and having to listen to Girltroversy six times in a row, I'd choose to kill myself.

But guess what! All the Wrong Moves DOESN'T SUCK! Really! I'm not ready to go join the fan club or anything, but this disc is actually kinda good. Either this band is getting better, or maybe I've just mellowed. Who knows? Perhaps after hearing all of those whiny geekboy pop-punk singerdorks (You know, the ones that never leave their bedrooms and then have the audacity to sing about how they never get girls) moaning and whimpering overtop of third-rate Ramones riffs, I'm actually relieved to hear a punchy post-Queers/Screeching Weasel pop-punk attack fronted by Christy Darlington's nasally, off-pitch, "rough around the edges" bark. The guy's no crooner, but at least he sings with real BALLS. I'm really growing to appreciate the style & sense of humor he brings to the table. Christy doesn't sound like some sniveling little wuss in need of a serious beating...He sounds like a cool, unpretentious guy who'd be fun to hang out with. That's a big plus in my book.

It once seemed to me that Christy's songwriting skills were about as impressive as Carmen Elektra's acting talent, but this new release has proven me wrong. The guy really CAN write a good song! Granted, he's not reinventing the wheel or anything. But if you go nuts for tuneful, light-hearted three-chord pop-punk tunes, at least half the songs here will be totally up your alley. "Ocelots" rules (Is that guitar solo SUPPOSED to sound like The Cure? Either way, it's a terrific tune), and "I Don't/Detached" is a yummy, poppy treat. And I LOVE "Lucky Girl", an irresistible Ramonesy pop gem that rocks hard. Had I heard this tune when I was 24, I would have sworn it was the best song in the world.

All the Wrong Moves isn't the best pop-punk album I've ever heard, but it sure ain't the worst. The songs are mostly catchy (a hit-to-shit ratio of 7 to 3 isn't so bad), and I'm impressed by the clean, crispy production & melodic lead guitar lines. This is a fun, engaging collection of songs, and I just can't not like it. Those of you who enjoy going on pop-punk message boards & talking about how much pop-punk music sucks will surely hate this disc. But if you're already big pop-punk fan, I guarantee that you'll like this CD. - Rutledge