The Used - in love and Death
The band
Bert McCracken - Vocals, Keyboard, Piano
Quinn Allman - Guitar, backup vocals
Branden Steineckert - Drums, backup vocals, percussion
Jeph Howard - Bass, backup vocals
Introduction
Lots of high expectations coming into this second album. Their first self-titled album had lots of people thinking they are going to be a great band. But their second album was a lot disappointing compared to the first. That is maybe because of the much lesser screaming of Bert and also the sounds coming from their second album makes it sound a much more poppier side of them and much more to the mainstream side of music. But in overall, there are some audible songs in it and it’s a pleasure to hear some of their songs. Much to put it in a simple sentence, it was definitely a disappointment compared to their first album. Though I am a big fan of The used, I expected better from them. But at least their music sounded more completed, in other words, more coordinated and stuff. Some songs were great. Like for example, track 6. Listening. It reminds me of the Used way back than at their first album. Bert though I feel has gone down on his screaming. He said that the screaming was ruining his voice. That I don’t understand why though.
Individual track Listing
1. Take it away – The album’s first single. It starts off with some guy saying words, like it’s a message from God. Again, Branden surprises me with his awesome technique at the drums during the verse. A good start to the album I reckon. The intro was pretty loud before rushing into the verse. The verse was slow, but beware. As the album wears on, u will realize that the verse really isn’t that slow. Chorus was pretty ok, with the whole band screaming it all together. Overall song rating 3.5/5
2. I caught fire – Here is where it shows that it has gone to the poppier side of mainstream music. The verse is pretty ok, but the chorus is kind of catchy. During the bridge near the ends, Bert stretches his vocals for that high part. I reckon it must be him or not it has to be Quinn. Overall song rating 3.5/5
3. Let it bleed - I really like the verse ‘This poison my intoxication’. There is the occasional yelling from Bert. It brings us back to what the Used from the first album. I still think that at the last part. They should have not repeated the verse again. It made look the song quite repetitive. Overall song rating 3/5
4. All that I’ve got – This really convinces me that it has gone to the poppier side. A very nice intro to the song though. And I reckon that overall this song has a very catchy tune to it. The second single for the album. I saw the video, and it was pretty all right. I kind of like the video. But I made my conclusion that maybe this song was made for attracting the mainstream audience. But overall, has a really very catchy tune. It is kind of the Buried myself alive song on their first album that will let people get hooked on the song. Overall song rating 3.5/5
5. Cut up angels - Starts with Bert singing in the background. Another very catchy song. I got not much to comment on the song. Just a very neutral song to me. Overall song rating 2.5/5
6. Listening – This is one of my favorite songs on the album. The starting verse has already Bert screaming in the background if you hear carefully. The chorus though lacks the attention it needs to a powerful song. Before the second chorus, one part where Bert just screams at though he is rapping. Kind of reminds me of some band. But I just can’t remember which band it is. It than drops to a piano playing before it lets out to Bert screaming out. But I prefer to be a much longer scream from Bert. But overall a pretty nice song. Overall rating 4/5
7. Yesterday’s feelings – Another slow song AGAIN. From the verse, the backgrounds there are some bells ringing which kind of makes me remind of Christmas. Ok. Well this song is pretty slow all the way. Overall song rating 2/5
8. Light with a Sharpened Edge- You can see that the band has really taken a different approach when doing this album. It has made its songs very mellow and very slow. Maybe in order to attract the mainstream audience. I don’t really know why. But at least this song was much better than Track 7. Track 7 is always a skip track for me. Overall song rating 2.5/5
9. Sound Effects and overdramatics- this song really reminds me of A Box full of sharp objects. The starting intro really has the remissions of that song. Than it goes to a pretty slow verse. But than it jumps back into the chorus. Which again, really reminds you of A box full of sharp objects. There is one part of this song, where Bert is not doing the screaming but someone else. I can’t figure out. But I reckon its either Branden or Jeph. Though this is one of my favorite songs on the album. Overall song rating 4/5
10. Hard to say – Another slow song. But I like this song. Don’t ask me why. I just like this catchy song among all the song. I like the chorus. It just attracts me. Ok that’s a very biased comment. But yeah. Overall song rating 4/5
11. Lunacy Fringe – This is another slow song. But it’s a pretty average song to me. Sometimes I wonder, if this album is just meant for those teeny girls out there. Cause it just sounds way too poppy for me. Overall song rating 2.5/5
12. I’m a Fake- Okay. This has got to be the album’s greatest song. The standout song from this album. It starts off with Bert reading a poem. Than it cuts into a drum intro with guitar backups. It’s an awesome song. Bert screaming behind I’m a fake was just right fitting into the song. The chorus is real catchy and has bert screaming. It just fits like a puzzle. A great way to end the album or what should I say a not very good album. But overall this song, brings us back to the OLD used. And its great that they have not lost their touch just yet. Overall song rating 5/5
In overall this album has more flaws than awws. But I feel that the album , to me is mainly meant for the mainstream audience. Okay , I been repeating that ever since I wrote this album. Okay to put it straight , there are some OK songs in the album . But maybe you should not get this album unless you’re a very supportive fan of the USED. And a big fan of them. Or otherwise, I reckon that maybe you guys should not get this album unless you are more used to the mainstream style kind of music.
Overall rating of the album == 3 / 5
