Let's see, I got In Love And Death for Christmas, and i loved it.(This was before they decided to ruin All That I've Got and themselves by making it a single)Then i felt i needed to get this cd to see what they were like then. I'm gonna review this cd like love and death never happened, so dont judge me or them with that, even though the new cd is ok in some artistic aspects. This is a cd you don't like at first, and then love it later on. I reviewed this on the songs, not caring about how much the songs were played.
1. Maybe Memories-Starts with some studio noise,then some dildo vibrating on a pickup, then into the simple main riff. This was the first song that this band wrote, without Bert. You can't really understand most of the lyrics, but that adds to its passionate delivery. An anthem-style chorus and bridge. Very simple but hard-hitting rock song. Rating-4.5
2. The Taste of Ink-A single.Shows the poppy side of The Used. But still, the guitar chords and outstanding vocals with some bass slides and very impacted drums works great. It's about the band finally making and loving it, it's like a love song almost. I like how it ends with the verse riff instead of the chorus. Rating-4
3. Bulimic-A song with that abrupt-stop style. Nice classic chorus. The bridge sounds kind of like Taste of Ink's, its quiet.Goes back into the chorus with a background "F*ck You" Ends with Bert screaming/singing the chorus while the music just stops instrument by instrument. Rating-4.5
4. Say Days Ago- Great punk song that they recorded slower than they play it live, needs to be as fast as they play it live. Starts with feedback, and basically kickass drums, a stop, then fast drum-crazy main thingy. Verse features a harmonic/palm-muted note switchoff, very original i think. The bass is fast and noticeable. The chorus features a high rock riff of Quinn's, and nice bass and drumwork, very climactic. Then it seems like it ends about twice, but then it goes into a bridge with Quinn's riff standing out, back into the chorus to end the song. Rating-5
5. Peotic Tragedy-Quieter song, at first. Bert sings very loudly, but it doesnt overshadow the rest of the music. The chorus sounds like a louder version of the verse. The bridge features Bert singing very high, but with control. It quiets down for a little, very good mix with violins. Then it goes into the chorus with Bert screaming along with the original chorus, sounds awesome. Ends smoothly, with chamber instruments. Rating-4.5
6. Buried Myself Alive- Another single. Extremely simple instrumental work.The verse, however has both good drumwork and fast guitar harmonics. The chorus might be Bert's best, very very catchy. Song just kind of plays itself out during the bridge though. Rating-3
7. A Box Full of Sharp Objects-The song that got them signed. I can't really say very much about it, everything fits perfectly, an awesome concert/headbanging song.Bert's screams are literally, and in my opinion, the best screams ever. The screams send chills up my spine. The second verse features just Bert screaming, drums, and a simple muted-slapped bass note, so turn up your subwoofers. Great song, period. Rating-5
8. Blue and Yellow-The best single The Used has ever had. Mellow song, i love Bert's singing and the drums rock. I can't describe this song very well. It's a sad song.Features possibly the best chorus on the cd. A must listen. Rating-5
9. Greener with the Scenery-Very experimental song. You probably won't like it at first, but after awhile its artistic sense will tempt you. The chorus isn't too great. The bridge is the highlight of the song, with Jeph switching to a double bass, very orchestral. At the latter part of it, you can hear the pans that Jeph,Branden,and Quinn are throwing at Bert to make him scream to his limit. You can see them do this in the cd/dvd maybe memories(a must buy for Used fans).Rating-4
10. Noise and Kisses-A good song, just starts with Quinnn strumming a single note and then some decent drums. The verse guitar is a nice listen. The chorus is affectionate but powerful, the highlight of the song. The second and third choruses feature Bert singing an octave higher, showing his extreme vocal range and talent. Has a breakdown bridge. Rating-4.5
11. On My Own-The album's acoustic song. A sad song about being homeless for some time. The guitar is better than you would expect. Passionate singing and screaming in the bridge. Very powerful song and a personal favorite. Rating-5
12. Pieces Mended-My personal favorite. This song exhibits the hard-hitting kickass rock stlye that the band should do more of, though at the end it turns sadder, ending with piano. After the guitar intro, the main intro features impactful drums, 4th fret harmonics on the guitar and mutes. The verse has exhibits a lot of the bands ability, something i cant describe very well. This song doesn't repeat the same part twice anywhere, except for a small octave lead. Bridge has bert loudly breathing, and guitar that switches from channel to channel, and this is where the piano starts and it leads into the ending.Rating-5
12+9:00-Choke Me-After a birthday present to Bert (something you can see on that cd/dvd Maybe Memories), comes a very heavy song, THE heaviest song actually, sounds like the Blood Brothers. You'll most likely like it. Fun song. Rating-4.5
Well that's it.
Pros:
Musical stlyes and ability
Bert's amazing voice (i dont care what you think)
Drumming, Branden is very underrated, and doesnt play as well on ILAD.
Originality and sincerity
Cons:They need another cd like this.
Not much else.
A cd you should have in your collection.
