Review : 30 Seconds To Mars - This Is War

Well here we are, 16 days before Christmas, and a brand spanking new 30STM album sitting on my...well that's funny isn't it...there's no sign anywhere of "This Is War" anywhere near me, or even in my "Music" folder. I haven't purchased this album as of writing, I have merely listened to it via Spotify. The reasons I haven't purchased this album are both work related, working too many hours at work (75 hours last week!!) and not being paid PROPERLY for 2 Months...Huzzah for me!!

Anyway, onto the review...

Now I should mention before writing that through using Spotify I have come to realise two things.

1. Spotify is by far the best (legal) method of listening to music without buying it.
2. Spotify is by far the worst method of listening to music with or without buying it.

These two things may seem contradictory to the untrained eye (and to be honest they are to the trained eye as well...not the point) but they are in fact both true! It is the best method, essentially, because it is so easy to use. It is the worst method because of the advertising! I would love this App to be free of charge to everyone without someone trying to sell me Wife Beater.

(Once again) Anyway, onto the review!!

Despite having only two previous albums 30 Seconds To Mars are quite a success in both the UK and USA. Their previous album "A Beautiful Lie" is one of those albums that you either love or hate, I personally love it and as such recommended it in a previous post. 30STM have had some very difficult times trying to get "This Is War" to be released, this includes an estimated $30m legal battle with Virgin Records. Since the last album 30STM have shed their "Emo" look, Jared Leto has had a haircut (!), and it seems to have had an effect on their music. "Kings and Queens"
the first single off of the album is a complete contrast to "A Beautiful Lie" the last single from the previous album. Not that the change of style is a bad thing, it was just very unexpected. The three "Stand-out" tracks from "This Is War" are "Stranger in a Strange Land", "Search and Destroy" and "Hurricane". "Stranger in a Strange Land", the penultimate track, is a deep and brooding track which is full of dark guitar riffs and electronic synth sections. As such it is right up my street, I always say that bands are better when being dark and brooding, just look at Elbow and Sigur Ros.

"Search and Destroy" is probably the closest thing on this album to anything from "A Beautiful Lie" think "From Yesterday" with more electronic sounds. The final track I wish to pick apart "Hurricane" is a fantastic track, both musically (Lots of orchestral sections, excellent synth parts) and Lyrically. The predominant question throughout the song is "Would you kill, to save a life?" while an interesting question in itself, it shows the bands grasp of thought producing lyrics.

The whole album is very well produced, from the crowd "sing-along" in most of the songs, to the monk chanting in both the opening and closing tracks. All in all this album is very impressive, and boosts 30STM from being a "recommendable Emo band" to an "essential purchase" for anyone with even the slightest Rock leaning.

Writing – 10 –

Lyrics are thought provoking and well processed. I have already mentioned the great morality questions in "Hurricane"

Flow Of The Album – N/A –

I have been unable (as of yet) to listen to the whole album from start to finish.

Originality – 9 –

30 Seconds To Mars have almost completely reinvented themselves with this album, making it almost completely original!

Overall Sound – 8 –

The overall sound of this album is good, although I fear it will only appeal to Rock lovers, and the 9s and 10s in this category must appeal, at least with some tracks, to everyone.

(~B~)*

*This is a B only because I am unable to analyse the "Flow of the Album", once I have purchased the album and listened to it from start to finish then I will adjust the score!

P.S. Just finished listening to "Paramore" - "Brand New Eyes" will review soon.
P.P.S. The Song of the Week is :-

Panic! At The Disco - New Perspective

iTMS - No Spotify Link ATM