In Love and Death

by

The Used

Edit

When The Used released their debut in 2002, they won me and many people over very quickly with their own quirky blend of pop and hardcore, and helped usher in, whether you like it or not, the current "screamo" trend. However, The Used have enough originality and talent at their disposal to avoid being painted into a corner, so when their second album "In Love & Death" comes around, it's no surprise that it sounds little like their debut. The band has matured in plenty of ways. For starters, the songwriting has shifted a bit. On the first album, they were a band full of young kids who were starving to taste some success. On this release, we have more of a loose concept album full of songs dealing with the subject of both love and death. The songs range from brutal ("Sound Effects & Overdramatics") to harmonious ("All That I've Got) and the band effortlessly handles each moment with glorious soundscapes that speak just as loudly as vocalist Bert McCracken. Songs like "Let It Bleed" and "Listening" tread a similar path that the debut did, but other songs like "Hard To Say" and "All That I've Got" delve into The Used's knack for pure melody that they toyed around with on previous songs like "On My Own" and "Blue & Yellow." "I Caught Fire" is the catchiest of the bunch, combining all The Used ingredients, and would make a perfect second single. "Take It Away," the first track & first single is absolutely brilliant and addictive (and also features production by Danny Lohner of Nine Inch Nails). The album as a whole is perfect. It definitely lives up to the standard set by the debut. I was a bit skeptical at first, and it took me a few listens to fully warm up, but it pays off. Give this album it's fair chance. The Used are easily the best in their game, and we can only imagine what tricks they will pull out for us on their third album.

Let me first start this review by saying The Used's self-titled deubt is gold. It's one of the few albums out there that's worth every penny for every song. There's not a single track on s/t that I don't like. The Used were one of the best new bands. So obviously I had high expectations for this follow-up. Unfortunatly, the Used failed to deliver. "Take it Away" was a good first single, much like "A Box of Sharp Objects" was, but the rest of the cd is horrible. It lacks the raw intensity the first one had. The songs are much more polished and radio-ready, and it the overall sound of the cd is monotonous. I just wanted it to end about five tracks sooner than it did. But alas, it didn't. I suggest not buying this album, unless you are: A) A die-hard Used fan, B) A sellout fan, or C) Buying it for your girlfriend (like I did, and realized it was a crappy gift).

If you want to listen to some really good music that is new and always evolving, listen to these bands:

Finger Eleven

Deftones

A Perfect Circle/Tool

Peace out everybody.