The Used frontman Bert McCracken has been called many things. Hard-working is one of them. The follow-up to 2004's In Love and Death was released this year. Lies For the Liars is the third album from the Used, and, as they say, third time's the charm.
The Used - Lies For the Liars
****1/2
Orem, Utah natives the Used return with their newest effort, Lies For the Liars. The horror house soundtrack sports all of the band's strange tastes and musical showmanship. The album's first single, "The Bird and the Worm," features flawless music with spot-on, note-for-note vocals. Its rocking rhythm sets the creative bar high for the Used. The opener, "The Ripper," is laden with effects so thick it destroys the word "original." Tracks like "Paralyzed" and "With Me Tonight" demonstrate Broadway-type beats via shred guitars, while tunes like "Hospital" and "Liar Liar (Burn in Hell)" suggest rock and metal influences. The incredible "Wake the Dead" is the perfect theme to Dawn of the Dead, with absolutely stunning guest vocals courtesy of Monique Powell. Her short due with McCracken could slice steel razorblades in perfect half. "Paralyzed" recalls the Used's roots in punk, as does the anthemic chorus of "The Ripper." McCracken's screams are used sparingly in most songs, save the harder rock beats. "Pretty Handsome Awkward" is a fluid rocker that will dominate iPods for months to come, blending the awesome guitars of Quinn Allman with McCracken's own perfect vocals. The slower tunes "Find a Way" and "Smother Me" don't suit the Used's I-don't-give-a-damn personality. Wait for a couple minutes at the end of "Smother Me" to hear the hilarious hidden rap track, "Quesadilla." At the time of recording, the Used had no drummer because of founding member Branden Steineckert's leave in September 2006, and hired session drummer Dean Butterworth to work on the album, who definitely deserves kudos for pounding the skins so brutally and ariculately (Butterworth is currently gigging with Good Charlotte). The Used later recruited Dan Whitesides formerly of New Transit Glory. This is definitely a hit from the guys of the Used. Buh-bye everybuddy!
Ian
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
...So We Have to Tell Them
South Wales' resident hardcore rockers, Funeral For a Friend, made their major-label debut with Hours, a record I have neglected to hear out of possibility to purchase. Meaning: I can't find it to buy it. Anyway, FFAF's second major label album on Atlantic Records released this year, Tales Don't Tell Themselves. This nautical-themed album focuses on a man named David who washes up on shore. It goes through the main troubles of sailors at sea. Whilst listening, remember that FFAF means what they say very literally. No metaphors about life - well, maybe a few - but it is what it is, a record about a man lost at sea and shipwrecked.
Funeral For a Friend - Tales Don't Tell Themselves
****
The band kicks off the album with the electronica-opening, radio-prepared, catchy single, "Into Oblivion (Reunion)." It's a very good album opener, and if you take first impressions seriously, you'll want to listen to the rest of the album. The next tune is just as awesome, if not more so, "The Great Wide Open," a catchy watery anthem with an incredibly catchy beat and a kicking chorus to match. Three good songs in a row: Too good to be true? Wrong! "The Diary" is an incredibly melodious hit, although slower in tempo than the first two beats. "On a Wire" recalls Muse's "Starlight" antics, but this album is reminiscent of that one song. It is definitely one of the disappointments, but it stands on its own alright. Then, we come to "All Hands On Deck," which is a two-part micro epic in which Part 1 blends into Part 2. "Part 1: Raise The Sail" is one of the best songs on the album, with an arena-ready chorus and an orchestra closing the song, with classical instruments guiding the way for the violin-like guitar playing. Frontman Matt Davies' vocals blend smoothly in, giving this the best closer of a song I've ever heard. "Part 2: Open Water" is a bit watered-down (haha!) than its significant other, but stands well enough on its own with a good beat. "Out of Reach" is my personal favorite, a hard rock anthem with freaking awesome harmonies - I'd safely say it is one of, if not the best song on the album. "One For the Road," "Walk Away," and "The Sweetest Wave" close out the album. "One For the Road" is a slower song that doesn't fit FFAF's standards well, and Davies' vocals sound strained. "Walk Away" is a catchy ballad with an amazing music video to boot. "The Sweetest Wave," the tenth and last track, is orchestra-ready with soft vocals and wraps up at almost six and a half minutes. So buy this ASAP, but beware of the great whites trying to nab at it before you get an attempt at salvage. Bye, everybuddy!
Ian
Funeral For a Friend - Tales Don't Tell Themselves
****
The band kicks off the album with the electronica-opening, radio-prepared, catchy single, "Into Oblivion (Reunion)." It's a very good album opener, and if you take first impressions seriously, you'll want to listen to the rest of the album. The next tune is just as awesome, if not more so, "The Great Wide Open," a catchy watery anthem with an incredibly catchy beat and a kicking chorus to match. Three good songs in a row: Too good to be true? Wrong! "The Diary" is an incredibly melodious hit, although slower in tempo than the first two beats. "On a Wire" recalls Muse's "Starlight" antics, but this album is reminiscent of that one song. It is definitely one of the disappointments, but it stands on its own alright. Then, we come to "All Hands On Deck," which is a two-part micro epic in which Part 1 blends into Part 2. "Part 1: Raise The Sail" is one of the best songs on the album, with an arena-ready chorus and an orchestra closing the song, with classical instruments guiding the way for the violin-like guitar playing. Frontman Matt Davies' vocals blend smoothly in, giving this the best closer of a song I've ever heard. "Part 2: Open Water" is a bit watered-down (haha!) than its significant other, but stands well enough on its own with a good beat. "Out of Reach" is my personal favorite, a hard rock anthem with freaking awesome harmonies - I'd safely say it is one of, if not the best song on the album. "One For the Road," "Walk Away," and "The Sweetest Wave" close out the album. "One For the Road" is a slower song that doesn't fit FFAF's standards well, and Davies' vocals sound strained. "Walk Away" is a catchy ballad with an amazing music video to boot. "The Sweetest Wave," the tenth and last track, is orchestra-ready with soft vocals and wraps up at almost six and a half minutes. So buy this ASAP, but beware of the great whites trying to nab at it before you get an attempt at salvage. Bye, everybuddy!
Ian
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