How close were we to a collection of early All Time Low songs being released as one, mega-supreme debut?

I am generally confused by All Time Low's time with Fueled by Ramen and the group’s eventual transition to Hopeless, but I can’t help but wonder about how close we were to certain songs ending up Put Up Or Shut Up or So Wrong, It’s Right.

The releases were separated by only a year. I think, objectively, ‘So Wrong’ is viewed as glossier, and these are the three questions I often ask myself:

-How did ‘The Girl’s A Straight-Up Hustler’ end up on the EP?
-How did the supremely chaotic ‘Remembering Sunday’ end up on the party record?
-How close were we to a collection of these songs being released as one, mega-supreme ATL debut?

I’d like to imagine that timeline now, and here’s what that tracklist may have looked like:

1 This is How We Do

I think ATL, as stark as the transition was from the EP to ‘So Wrong,’ is a party band. That’s fine. This is a fun track opener as is, so let’s keep it.

2 Break Out! Break Out!

Balancing the Springsteen (Born To Run) theme of the EP and the Black Eyed Peas (Tonight’s Gonna Be A Good Night) energy of So Wrong, It’s Right, is tricky. But, why not establish that other theme with track two and begin mixing in some of the EP’s flavor before breaking out the big guns.

3 Dear Maria

Track three is generally a power slot, so I think Maria belongs here. We party, we are running away, also there are women (or, at least, there is one woman named Maria).

4 Six Feet Under The Stars

Legend has it this wrong was written about sleeping with an older, married woman. In this alternate universe, perhaps that woman is Maria. Who is to say? Also, this song is incredible.

5 Remembering Sunday

Track five is probably one of the most important slots on any record. (See: Hot Fuss). We’re about halfway through. Where are we headed? Well, we’re headed into the chaotic egg-drama ballad that is Remembering Sunday. Things have gone south with Maria, it seems.

6 The Girl’s a Straight-up Hustler

Let’s just pretend Maria is the hustler in this version of events.

7 The Party Scene

Things are getting bleak post-Maria. Two eggs don’t last, man.

8 Coffee Shop Soundtrack

The party scene has got the best of me, but I’m making new friends? (Also, would any other record have finished this strongly in the history of recorded sound?)

9 Jasey Rae

Enter Jasey. (Also, FWIW this song snags my vote for All Time Low’s best.)

10 Poppin’ Champagne

Life in the Jasey era. Champagne is a serviceable album-ender as-is, so why not leave it be? And hey, what a long, strange trip it has been in this alternate universe. Highs, lows, eggs, and more. Thanks for being here, everybody.

Check out our ‘DEAR MARIA’ episode below:

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Maria, Jasey, eggs: Re-imagining All Time Low's first album