Blink-182 is back, and I mean REALLY back.

After a less-than-stellar return album (looking at you, "Neighborhoods"), Blink had another period of drama.

Things were said, claims were made, and fan theories went wild.

Tom Delonge was (back) out. Matt Skiba, of Alkaline Trio, was in.

But what would it sound like?

Blink was always 3 guys, with 2 frontmen: Tom Delonge and Mark Hoppus. Their voices were what spoke to an entire generation, made them unique, stand out, and placed them at the top of their genre.

Fans were worried

Would the writing process change? Would Skiba inflict his influences and change Blink? Would it be The +44 Featuring Matt Skiba Show?

Would Blink still be Blink?

"California" is the perfect debut with the new lineup. Is it their best album? No. Is it especially unique, or progressive? No.

But, it answered all of those questions people had asked and worried about since the announcement of Skiba's inclusion to the fold went public.

If someone had never listened to Blink before (although highly unlikely, it IS possible), and asked me what they sounded like, the best example I can give is "California".

It has the toilet humor, the pop hooks, it is their signature sound all shiny and new.

It reassured fans that they were still Blink, and still sounded like Blink.

California is exactly what every Blink fan needed. I love every moment on the album. It's fun, it's exciting, it's engaging, and it's funny. It may not progress further into the direction they were going on their 2003 self-titled album, but it gives fans faith in what they are doing.

I'm especially excited for what's coming next with Skiba in the band.