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THE USED Artwork
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THE USED Artwork
Reprise Records
Rating: 10 out of 10
Reviewed by: Jen Conrad
 Boy, when The Used take time off, they come back full-force with the vigor of caged animal! I really loved their previous album, Lies for the Liar, but this album is unbelievable!!! Definitely The Used’s best work to date! Vocalist/pianist Bert McCracken, guitarist Quinn Allman, bassist Jeph Howard and drummer Dan Whitesides definitely brought it this time around! The title, Artwork, itself is a statement (check out my interview with Dan Whitesides in the News section for an explanation). Starting off the album with a heavy-hitting zinger full of metal elements called “Blood On My Hands”...if this tune doesn’t get you going, you’d better check your pulse! I love, love, love the second through fourth tunes, “Empty With You,” “Born to Quit,” “Kissing You Goodbye”...these songs take me to one of my all time favorite albums, Tomorrow by SR-71. I just sit here and take them in each time I hear them! Those tunes are nothing short of spectacular! Seriously, it takes a lot for me to compare someone’s voice to Mitch Allan’s (because he’s just that awesome), but damn, Bert McCracken sure comes close...especially on “Kissing Me Goodbye!” Geez! The rest of the album pretty much follows suit in terms of being flawless! Hooks that grab you by the neck and relentlessly hang on, melodies that make you feel as though your body has been completely filled as you listen, spot-on vocals, and beats that make you know you’ve been rocked are the norm on the entire body of Artwork. This album will be HIGH atop my “Best of 2009” album listing this year! Favorite tunes are “Kissing You Goodbye”, “Empty With You”, “Born to Quit”, “Watered Down”, “Meant to Die” and “Sold My Soul.” This album comes with the utmost high recommendation! This album is deserving of your attention! Do yourself a favor and check it out!!! www.theused.net |
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