The Used - Artwork: Album Review

Music reviews are a dime a dozen on the internet. So naturally, I am going to try something a little different. I'm gonna give the album 1 spin, maybe 2, and then write my first impressions. Hence the title. Sound good, let's go!

Yesterday, Steve Jobs sent me an email telling me The Used had a new album. I'm a fan of their previous works so this made me very happy. I headed over to Itunes to listen to a couple of samples and was sufficiently impressed enough to schedule a trip to my local retailer to procure the album immediately.

Checking out the artwork, it's apparent this is going to a pretty dark album. And this is a good thing. The last album, "Lies for the Liars" has some great tracks. But it was a lot poppier than The Used previous albums. Right off the first track on Artwork, "Blood on My Hands", the turn back toward the more hard-core is evident. The drums pound hard, something that is prevalent on the entire album. No surprise really, Artwork was engineered by Ted Jensen, the same guy that gave Death Magnetic its infamous punch. Happily, Artworkdoesn't seem to sacrifice volume for clarity, at least from what I can tell.

And there are some tracks on here you are going to want LOUD. In addition to "Blood on my Hands", there is "Empty With You" and "Meant to Die" that will pummel your speakers into the scrap heap if they are not up to the challenge. On the lighter moments, like the piano driven "Kissing You Goodbye", the eventual thump comes in right on time and the song transforms into a really nice power ballad.

Then it's right back to the thunder with "Sold My Soul".

Taking the lyrics, song titles, and album art I'm thinking this album is about drug addiction or possibly rehab. If that is the case, I would actually compare it to the Alice in Chains masterpiece, and ode to heroin, Dirt. While I seriously doubt if Artwork can reach those heights, The Used at least has chosen a brilliant album to emulate. Given the well publicized drug travails of The Used lead singer Bert McCracken the songs all ring true.

Bottom line is The Used has definitely mellowed since their self-titled 2002 debut, but Artwork is more of a return to harder music then the last 2 albums. Is Artwork their best album? Well, that's hard to say after only 2 listens. However fans of the band should definitely pick this one up. Artwork is loaded with huge hooks, sing along choruses, and enough angst to power a small city.