Album Details

• Artist: The Used
• Album: Lies For The Liars
• Label: Reprise
• Year of Release: 2007
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: solitaryman on 2007-08-20

Here's a review I really don't want to write. The Used once held a special place in me, their debut album hit me like a ton of bricks and I really felt like they'd become one of my favorite bands. How silly I was. Each album that has come since has disappointed me for various reasons, most of all the band's desire to turn into what everyone expects them to be. We don't need more MCR-styled dramatic rock, we don't need another band ripping the soul from Queen and selling it for pennies on the dollar. But that's what we have here, another faceless album from another faceless band. Yeah, they're popular, the kids love them, blah blah blah. Fact is, Lies For The Liars is the worst album yet for The Used.

    One song, ONE SONG sticks out, and it's no wonder "The Bird And The Worm" is the album's first single. Falling somewhere between Panic! At The Disco and MCR, this track has all the energy and passion I fell for when The Used first hit the scene. Yet it's still contrived, and that cannot be denied. Integrity and any resemblance of the underdog outfit they once were has dissapeared; in their place is an unabashed desire to appeal to the lowest common demoniator.

   What happend fellas? Did all the money really do this to you? Are you afraid to become irrelevant if you don't keep up with what's flying off the shelves? Where have the painful ballads and sick and twisted hardcore-tinged intensity gone? While it's obvious they're reaching for the stars, they've left behind me and others who found a closeness in their poignant and honest vision of the past. Lies For The Liars is nothing more than that vision's death, the eyes closing for one last time. 

User Reviews and Comments

on 2008-05-01 blackxdan Said:

hahaha! one star. amazing
Not Rated

on 2008-04-11 SolitaryMan Said:

Not so odd, no two people should ever feel totally the same about anything. That's when problems usually start. Or bands, haha. I stand by my review, but can totally see this album being enjoyable. I, however, review music; it's not my job to enjoy everything, only report my thoughts, immediate and also based on a band's track record and future forecast. I do not begin every of my reviews with the heading "You might enjoy this even though I don't" for a reason; it's assumed.

This album is more than a disappointment; it's the final nail in a coffin created faster than an honest band can make two album's worth of material. Ultra-hyped and dumbed down, an oxymoron of advertising and musical qualities that somehow causes me to become nearly blind to any positive qualities remaining in the music; most of all, the idea that the huddled masses will eat up this well-known entity now that our official major music media clowns have claimed it acceptable for mass consumption.

I apologize in full for not accurately pinpointing the distinct possibility of this record appealing to the same people who choose everything that appeals to them as soon as they make the choice to follow the leaders. Please stop reading my reviews if this continues to bother you.
Not Rated

on 2008-04-10 calirockangel Said:

Oh, and one more thing. Bird and the Worm was actually one of my least favorite songs on the album...odd.
Rating: 7/10

Review:

on 2008-04-10 calirockangel Said:

I think ME's review describes the album pretty well, however, I don't think its a terrible album to listen to. Yes, definitely disappointing from the last albums, and yes, definitely contrived, and yes, their lyrics have become lackluster, but I still think that they made an album that is fun to listen to. For all of the crappy music that wants to sound like the Used, I still think they did it better than most out there. I think the biggest problem a lot of bands have nowadays is the fact that they had a CD come out previously that someone/everyone loved. Sure, Lies for the Liars is a disappointment for those of us who have been fans of The Used for years, but had this album come out from another band, I think it would have been thought of as a pretty decent album. I give it 7 stars..which is a big step up from 1. I personally have no problem rocking out to it over and over again in my car...
Rating: 7/10

Review:

on 2007-08-21 SolitaryMan Said:

Hah, thanks kev. From the previous user reviews I was expecting some shrapnel for my own, but it's nice to know someone realizes these guys have little going for them anymore. It really is a shame too, their debut held worlds of promise.
Not Rated

Review:

on 2007-08-21 kev_stev Said:

Haha I love your reviews man. 1 star is a little generous for this one; thanks for the honesty!
Not Rated

Review:

on 2007-07-25 blackxdan Said:

I streamed this album when it was available for listening over myspace. I cannot give this album an actual rating since i have not gotten to listen to the album again to see if i like it, but so far what i have heard i liked. Lies for the Liars seems to have a harder feel in the instrumentals and in the vocals. I noticed darker screaming, for example in the song 'The Bird and The Worm'. That first single is indeed a catchy song, i immediately wanted to listen to it again after seeing it premiere on FUSE. But from what i have heard so far, i believe this will be a great CD, and will sell very well. Not just because of the reputation that The Used has, but because they are great musicians.
Not Rated

Review:

on 2007-07-24 blueandyellow Said:

1. The Ripper (5/5)

2. Pretty Handsome Awkward (4/5)

3. The Bird And The Worm (4/5)

4. Earthquake (5/5)

5. Hospital (4/5)

6. Paralyzed (3/5)

7. With Me Tonight (3/5)

8. Wake The Dead (4/5)

9. Find A Way (3/5)

10. Liar Liar (Burn In Hell) (3/5)

11. Smother Me (3/5)



Total Score: 3.72/5.00
Rating: 7/10