Start Something [Import]

Style: Lostprophets have always been a genre-defying group, which is definitely a plus for me. They, on this album, pretty successfully incorporate heavy rock, anthemic (but not cheesy) pop-punk style melodies, hardcore, and digital sampling.

Creativity: (5)
LostProphets have such a unique and refreshing sound that I can easily give them a 5. For proof, notice the difference in styles between track 9 and track 12.

Energy: (5)
This CD is a crazy bipolar ride that starts off fast, mellows out, reaches climax, and ends peacefully throughout the course of the tracks. Singer Ian Watkins has the unique ability to almost with clarity. His vocal stylings, full of integrity, give a certain intensity to even the more bland moments of the album. The dual guitar work and blazing drums of the album give the album great energy.

Musicianship: (4)
While this cd is lacking in guitar solos, it makes up for it in beautifully textured lines, good use of electronic sampling, and great vocal work.

Comparison to other work: (4):
This is a great CD, but "The Fake Sound of Progress" which is far more experimental and memorable, is a far better listen. I can only think of about four tracks which I could place next to "TFSOP" (1,2,9,10).

Moment of Truth: "Start Something"
This track is pure energy and it's hardcore touches and dynamics (while maintaining catchiness) makes it the album's prime track.

Buy if you Like _____: Incubus, Hoobastank, Linkin Park

Worth Buying?: Yes, Without a Doubt.

I first heard about this band through the single: Last train Home. That was before I discovered the UK hardcore scene. It was a few months later that I discovered the following behind this band. Lost Prophets is responsible for what is probably the biggest underground movement since UK punk. A growing craze is moving to the states these days. The genre of post-hardcore has arrived with lost prophets. Although they fall on the softer side of it. The ushering in of great bands like FFAF and When Reason sleeps. I know, those bands are much different than Lost Prophets but they grew from what this group started with TFSOP album.

"Start Something" is a far cry from the underground Post-hardcore sound of England. The band has become much more media friendly with this release. While at the same time keeping the post-harcore sound at the roots of the album. Take into consideration the techno influences here. Almost reminescent of "when reason sleeps". Another rising UK outfit. The Keyboardist does a great job in that honor. The guitar is obviously where the hardcore sound shines, and shows the great musiscianship showcased on the CD. The vocals are obviously british. Almost sounding like an EMOtype matt davies. He whines and pleads with his words. While on the other side he screams like Curt Cobain. it's weird but practical. All this aside, it's safe to say the entire album treats genres like touchstones. Skipping around them at free will. Not to say that's always agood thing though. It'd be hard for someone to like every song on this album as much as the next. From the hard and heavy hitting "a million miles", to the slow ballad-like "goodbye tonite"; the constant style change can be easilly hatable.

There's still alot to be said about the new sound of Lost Prophets. "highly instrumental and atmospheric" might be one of the terms to use. There's a constant format here that sudgests a 15 second intro in front of every song is needed. Although this isn't a bad idea, it gets too repitive by song 5 or 6. Maybe they're trying too hard to be stylish, or just aren't feeling very original with this one. Either way it's a flaw that shows.

Lyrically this CD is a bit immature. Given, the aren't being childish (blink 182, ramones) but it's not the most serious approach. The topics range from young adult half-angst/half-regret problems to more mature political type things. Overall though, the feel is much less than poetic. So points off from that one LP...

One thing that these guys should be praised for is the clean cut image they present. They always dress nicely at shows and have a very sharp detail about their album's artwork. It's clear that they care about image. This is both good and bad, but mostly good. Since they sound nice.

Production is another place where the disc shines. It's very produced yes, but in a good way. The only complaint as far as that goes though, is that it occasionally sounds watery. I don't like that.

Overall these guys deserve a lot of credit for what they've done. Personally I would have given this 3 stars but considering the work put into it, I'd give this a 4 anyday.

I, like most other people, picked up this CD after hearing "Last Train Home." And, after forgetting about it for awhile, I heard "Make a Move" on the radio and decided I'd fish it off the shelf and listen to it. And boy, was I angry that I had let it sit for so long. What we have here is a great CD with plenty of catchy tunes complemented by some very good instrumentals.

1. We Still Kill The Old Way- A good way to start off the CD, the chorus is probably the worst part, but still well done. 9/10

2. To Hell We Ride- Not a bad song, per se, but the screaming does get on my nerves after awhile. Featured on the "Need for Speed" game. 8.5/10

3. Last Train Home- It's why I got the CD, and the chorus is so catchy it makes you wanna sing along with the rest of the band members. It also has the best transition effect between songs. 10/10

4. Make a Move- Even better than "Last Train Home," with an even catchier chorus. How do those Welsh boys do it? 10/10

5. Burn, Burn- Do we have an even catchier song? This one will jump out at you upon first listen, with the call-and-response chorus and a screaming bridge that makes this one good tune. 10/10

6. I Don't Know- To cap off the quadruple 10 rating song, we have this one. I Don't Know (ha, ha) what exactly I like about it, but the way it all comes together just sounds right. Oh, and the solo at the end is good, too. 10/10

7. Hello Again- This song just steadily builds up, and as it hits the chorus, you get smacked in the face from the energy. Slower, but well done. 9.25/10

8. Goodbye Tonight- A little repetitive towards the end, but that doesn't detract from this. Good use of opposite titles in these two tracks. 9.25/10

9. Start Something- The hardest and shortest song on the album, starts off with hard hitting strings, then mellows out for just a second before laying on the power and keeping it up until the transition into the next song. 8.5/10

10. A Million Miles- Somewhat of a poppier song, could probably have done well as a single, but that's not saying it's bad. The transition is weird but kinda funny. 8.75/10

11. Last Summer- Like Burn, Burn, this is only a UK single (to the best of my knowledge), and that's a shame, because this is a great song and the video is pretty cool, too. The lyrics may be sappy but they're true. 10/10

12. We Are Godzilla, You Are Japan- While I don't have this song on my CD, I have heard it, and, like Start Something, it's one of those that just hits you hard all the way through. The intro is solid, too. 8.75/10

13. Sway- A new type of sound for the Lostprophets, but definitely an interesting song, sung mostly in falsetto. The bridge is probably the best part, but it's all good. After the song ends, though, the rest of the track is kind of iffy. 9.5/10

Overall, if you liked Last Train Home and Make a Move, you'd better make room in your collection for this CD, because it's definitely worth checking out. The transitions between songs are nice too, and you'll find yourself humming these songs in between listens.