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The Used

Lies for the Liars (2007)
Warner Music Group

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Contributed by: GlassPipeMurder
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on December 11th 2007

Despite breaking into mainstream audiences as far back as 2002, I will admit I've never heard a single song by the Used. However, I can relay what I've read from mid-teen girls on Warped Tour message boards in years passed that "The Used rox" and "omg bert is crazy!" So not really knowing what to expect upon slipping the hot pink disc into my computer, I was mildly impressed as the first measures of "The Ripper" blasted out heavy chords and aggressive drumming in hardcore or at least post-hardcore fashion through my speakers. The initial enjoyment quickly faded however, as vocalist Bert McCracken put forth the first sample of the embarrassingly bad lyricism to come: "Time kills, go ask Jesus / I'm done, makes no difference / Stare straight at the sun / I'm done, makes no difference." Honestly, how long did it take him to write that? I've heard MCs who never made it past middle school freestyle better verses than that. As if that wasn't bad enough, all of this was on top of a seizure-ready technotronic beat with one of those glitchy effects that sounds like a Spaniard rolling his "R"'s.

To be fair, though, McCracken does have a pretty good voice and seems to have no problem stringing together a catchy melody. Interestingly, some of the more memorable moments on the album are almost sheer pop. With its infusion of horns, piano, and glittery effects, "With Me Tonight" has all the pop sensibilities of Maroon 5, sans the impetus to dance. Instead, it falls back on the standard rock utility the band needs to maintain their credibility about three-fourths of the way through the song, verifiably losing something along the way. "Paralyzed" mimics this approach nearly verbatim, with horns and all, while "Find a Way"'s equally wussy stature relies on stock acoustic guitar plucking and lullaby keys. Here's a telling anecdote regarding the devolution of the band's personnel: In 2006, drummer Brandon Steineckert was "dismissed" from the band. He is now the drummer of Rancid. To replace him for the recording of Lies for the Liars the band brought in Dean Butterworth, known best for his work as the drummer of Good Charlotte.

Later on in Lies the band tries to rock again with "Liar Liar (Burn in Hell)," and again reveals more painfully awkward lyricism: "Liar, liar, house on fire / And the glass tastes messy / Chew it louder, bet your tummy hurts you / You motherfucker, mother never loved you." If your band can't write lyrics to save the life of you, you better have amazing musicianship to cover it up. If you don't have either, you're gonna need some kind of gimmick. And if your gimmick is being a "punk" band launched off a major label, you're probably up shit's creek. The mainstream has low standards; there is actually a point to developing in the underground, where people are smarter and expect higher quality. Hell, even the Bronx who were major label bait after only a handful of shows, had the presence of mind to cultivate and ripen through White Drugs and Ferret before stepping up to the big leagues. The Used, on the other hand, sound like they're still stuck in the sophomore slump that occurs when buzz wears off and the extra effort needed to get to the next level isn't present.

Devoid of any articulated substance, spattered with undeveloped musical creativity and riddled with inconsistency, Lies for the Liars is indeed sophomoric on numerous counts. You'll have no trouble finding this one at your local record store, though. It will most surely be labeled "Used."

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useyourhead (October 15, 2010)

This is their worst album. Listen to the others, just not this one...

Cpk (December 28, 2007)

defintly not there normal work sence there 1st ablum theyve went down hill

almosttragichero (December 20, 2007)

I used to love The Used, with their previous albums, and now the suspense of several years to hear this crap? Honestly, what happened? Were they trying to mimick other "punk" bands that have gone mainstream? I have news for them, if they keep shelling out crap like this, they'll never make it anywhere, but off the record label.

VictorIkpeba24 (December 18, 2007)

Their first two records were enjoyable, but this one is horrible. I can't stand it, its awful.

totonotdead (December 14, 2007)

they used to throw up on stage?????
well thats interesting...
their music is shit anyway.
but i mean REAL shit,
i bet their cds come with horse shit smell and wrapped in doggie bags.
whenever i hear any of their "songs" i just wanna cut my cock off and throw it to my granma.

winiferd69 (December 14, 2007)

I don't know...I really like the "Paralyzed" ditty..haha.

ashtraymonument (December 13, 2007)

remember when he used to throw up on stage? that was the only thing i found interesting about this band

lordoftheflies (December 13, 2007)

usually i hate it when people comment without hearing the album but i am making an exception for myself. awful awful awful band.

you say (in the review) that they're up shit's creek, but they aren't, they're really fucking popular, even though the music and lyrics have always been crap.

only time i ever saw them (free ticket to taste of chaos) they were terrible, but all the kids were literally worshipping them. i always thought that teenage girls screaming and crying and fainting was a boyband phenomenon. me and my friends stood there having a huge wtf moment, and then left.

655321 (December 13, 2007)

Score is for the band in general. I saw them live and was completely uninpressed. Seriously, constantly spitting on your fans is pretty lame. And yes, there were many little girls yelling, "omg bert is crazy!"

riotmute (December 13, 2007)

you keyed in on the problem -the lyrics. even on the first record they kinda sucked but it was a raw and passionate record. the second had better music and some interesting production. but this record minus pretty handsome awkward is worthless. the lyrics are unbelievably bad, the musicianship is hard to find and as it's been said, completely formulaic.

that said, i think this band has more potential than most. if they can ever make an honest record again, it would probably be terrific

SilentStorms (December 13, 2007)

"If your band can't write lyrics to save the life of you, you better have amazing musicianship to cover it up. If you don't have either, you're gonna need some kind of gimmick. And if your gimmick is being a "punk" band launched off a major label, you're probably up shit's creek."

That was one of the greatest lines ever. Thank you sire!

P.S. This band blows, as do all the pop-punk goth(wannabe) bands

Mookie_Blaylock (December 12, 2007)

*vomit*

paulrulzdood (December 12, 2007)

complete crap, I'll admit I liked their frist 2 albums, but this one is just bad...way overproduced by Feldman, I mean he overproduced their second album too, but not this rediculous. Its just really inconsistent. The first 3 songs are pretty good, after that...pretty much garbage other than the "wake the dead" song that's decent.

telegraphrocks (December 12, 2007)

Their first album is decent. Score's for that.

dumhed01 (December 11, 2007)

When did Kurt Cobain start singing for the Used?
This cd FUCKING sucks.
And that's sad.
Because their first two i enjoyed.
Thoroughly.

Fitty (December 11, 2007)

Very disapointing album. The self titled album was pretty good, the 2nd had it moments, but this is utter garbage. Formulaic tripe for the masses. I would'nt write home about their live show either. I refuse to 'put my f*cking hands in the f*cking air' when requested for atleast the 10th time in the first 15 minutes. Then he spoke like a 15 year old girl between each song. Meanwhile they didn't play the only three songs I was interested in seeing. It was a good thing Rise Against played the same show to add some credibility.

damnitsderek (December 11, 2007)

Those lyrics...oh man hahahahaha.

wellplannedattack (December 11, 2007)

i liked their other albums alot, but this album is utter trash.

scorpiondeathlock (December 11, 2007)

they should hold a nation wide conference for parents warning them of the dangers of emo and play the spoken word thing from "I'm a fake" as an introduction...

will you be my little cut? will you be my thousands fucks? im cutting imagining your own blood...

lol seriously that is just ridicious..

thus_spoke_sean (December 11, 2007)

and now their drummer is playing in Rancid

wellllll he did at least leave before this album, so thats something.

fallingupwards84 (December 11, 2007)

and now their drummer is playing in Rancid

nocigar (December 11, 2007)

"omg bert is crazy!"

AHAHAHha..that is pretty much exactly what the young ladies post

inagreendase (December 11, 2007)

I like a few of their early singles, the ones off the self-titled album. Everything after that is really embarrassing.

And their lyrics were never THIS bad. Like, wow.

preston (December 11, 2007)

yipes...