Review Summary: Whether or not this was just a marketing ploy from the band, to keep an active fan base while in search for a new drummer. It was a good move on their part.
After just recently getting back into the American grudge, emo-core outfit “The Used”, I was eager to venture into their latest releases. After taking a look around the internet I was quick to venture onto their latest effort, an EP of B-Sides called “Shallow Believer”. I am personally the type of guy that enjoys album tracks and B- Sides just as much as radio singles, so I was eager to give this EP a listen.
From the get go, the EPs first track “Dark Days” gets me hooked line and sinker. The unique acoustic intro then strait into a catchy heavy guitar riff, followed by a fast paced verse strait too a chorus so catchy, you wont be able to get it out of your head for weeks to come. Then strait into the heavy grinder “Slit your own throat” that sounds like it is taken from the bands earlier and heavy material. The album keeps going in the same direction with strong tracks such as “My Pesticide”, “The Devil Beside You” and the albums best track, the amazing “Into My Web”. Defiantly some of the strongest tracks that have came out of the band. The album then takes a turn with “Choke Me”, which is no doubt the heaviest song by “The Used”, something different, but still a good addition to the EP.
From then on the album takes a different road with the somewhat power ballad “The Sun Comes Up” and the brass filled “The Back of Your Mouth” that sounds like Broadway mixed with … well “The Used”. Considering the two very opposite ends of the spectrum, they pull it off rather well. I feel that on this EP, “The Used” have saved their gem for last. “The Tunnel” is the last song on Shallow Believer, a acoustic piece. The song is not as good as their older ballads from their first album, but close. The album closes with front man Bert Mccrackin producing his voice to create a choir affect that reminds me of John Farnhams “The Voice” towards the end of the tunnel.
Overall this album is a great listen. It contains nothing new from “The Used” the same lyrical content, dark and broken. Apart from the “The Tunnel” that is a somewhat inspiring piece of music. Whether or not this was just a marketing ploy from the band, to keep an active fan base while in search for a new drummer. It was a good move on their part.
