Review Summary: After the success of their debut album , The Used released the compilation album “Maybe Memories”, to keep fans interested while recording their second album. “Maybe Memories” consists of a live tracks and bonus material.
The Used are a Heavy Rock band originally from the small town of Utah. They were discovered after their demo tape “Demos from the Basement” fell into the hands of acclaimed producer John Feldman. With the addition of a couple new tracks, a name change and some last minute touch ups, Feldman had the band rerecord “Demos from The Basement” and release their self titled debut album to receive multi platinum success around the world. The Used are often credited for founding the “Emo” rock genre, with many other bands following in their footsteps. After the success of their debut album was dieing down, they released the compilation album “Maybe Memories”, to keep fans interested while the band were recording their second album. “Maybe Memories” consists of a live tracks and bonus material.
Like many, I’ve always been a huge fan of the bands earliest material. I was more than eager to pick this one up because this is a compilation of live tracks and b-sides dating back to the bands debut album. The albums first track comes on strong, a live version of one of The Used’s heaviest songs “Maybe Memories” (which also conveniently seems to be the albums title). Next track “A Box Full of Sharp Objects” sounds amazing live and is one of the highlights of the album. It’s great to hear charismatic front man Bert McCracken screaming his lungs out, these live recordings are without a doubt the band at their peak. The best song on the album follows, It is a slow acoustic song by the name of “On My Own”, one of my favourite Used songs. McCracken proves that not only can he scream his heart out, but he can sure pull the old tearjerker when it’s needed, “On My Own” sounds so much more amazing live than it does it in the studio.
After four very energetic live tracks, the b-sides come out to play. “Just a little”, most defiantly the best of the bonus material, it’s somewhat repetitive but catchy, you will have it going through your head for a long time after listening. The other b-sides aren’t bad, but I can see why they didn’t put them on the album. The albums closing track “Sometimes I just go for It” begins well, but being an instrumental, it becomes dull pretty quickly, before coming to close after almost five minutes. Maybe with the addition of some vocals and a little more effort, “Sometimes I just go for It” could have been on of the band’s better ballads.
Overall, being a huge fan of the Bands earlier material, I really enjoyed this album. With that said, I would only recommend it to stronger fans of The Used.
Best Tracks
On My Own (Live)
A Box Full of Sharp Objects (Live)
Just A Little
