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14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
The Wait is Over...., 7 Dec 2009
Being a fan of 30 Seconds to Mars since their debut album and having seen them in concert, I greatly anticipated the release of their latest work 'This is War'. It's been a considerable wait, with the band being involved in a protracted legal battle with their record label. But, now, the wait is over. So, was it worth it?
'Kings and Queens' is probably the track most people have heard as their introduction to the direction the band has taken and, all-in-all, it's a catchy track and a bold anthem. Unfortunately, it doesn't set the level of quality for the entire album. For a large part, it really is a mixed bag. 'Hurricane', 'This is War' and 'Stranger in a Strange Land' are strong tracks with a distinct feel to each. However, many other tracks seem overly long and uninspired, vocals sometimes seem overly strained and the lyrics lacking in maturity. And, probably most irritatingly of all, there is a chronic over-use of the 'children's choir' vocals. Used in 'This is War' and 'Kings and Queens', it's different and interesting, but I actually reached a point where I sighed and wished I could just stop listening when I'd heard the same technique used for the fifth of sixth time.
I'm not saying this is a terrible album, and clearly the people involved are very proud of their work, but it just seems flat and a tad unimaginative. I wanted to like it more, I really did, but when comparing this to their previous works, it just doesn't reach me in the same way.
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7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An album which has exceeded even my high expectatipons, 7 Dec 2009
This is war has been so long in the making, I was expecting something special. However, not quite as special as this.
This album just has a more atmospheric sound than either A Beautiful Lie or 30 Seconds to Mars. It's soundtrack style, very powerful and emotive, and generally a great listen. A lot of 'emo' bands which 30 seconds to mars had been pidgeon-holed with have developed a very uninspiring, similar sound, but 30 seconds to mars have done sommething very different. I'd reccomend This Is War to anyone, if you don't buy another album this year, buy this one!
You will be impressed.
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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A difficult decision., 23 Dec 2009
What else could you do after A Beautiful Lie? A beautiful truth maybe? From reading a few interviews, this album seems to be a distinct change of direction, much as A Beautiful Lie was from the self titled debut album. I remember Letto saying something like 'this is everything they've got' and 'as close to us as we can get'. So with that, what we are hearing is an unadulterated/wholesome 30 Seconds to Mars... having little to no help on this album could be seen as a double edged sword in my opinion. Most bands need outside influence and direction from another member of the industry, an experienced producer perhaps, or just someone who can contribute to the production when needed. My fist impressions weren't great since there seemed to be a lack of substance. I should have listened at home without anything to distract me to be honest. The album turned up at work and I just couldn't help myself. Upon a further 3-4 listens that night (obviously didn't think it was that bad then), I decided that this album creeps up on you and before you know it BANG! it's in your head. In a good way.
My major qualms with this album are songs such as 100 Suns, Alibi and L490. If I was producing this record, the first thing to go would be 100 Suns. Fu**ed that right off my play list the second I heard it. It lacks some serious substance. Almost as if Letto put it there to fill time or song quota. The lyrics are uninspired to begin with, so why feel the need to repeat these for two minutes I just don't know.
Alibi is too drawn out, just as the intro to the album dawdles to deliver. Eventually things pick up, but even the public choir fail to deliver a convincing performance. I understand this is part of the concept, but again... Producer needs to step in and cut out the fat. "It is vain to do with more what can be done with less". William of Occam. Apologies for the quote but Letto is a fan of his concepts and I thought it sounded appropriate. Not pretentious at all.
Closer to the Edge would have to be the strongest song on the album. Reminiscent of their previous album in structure and substance, everything has it's place. The synthesizer drives and supports the introduction, whilst the drums take on the characteristics of what we have all been spoiled with in previous albums. This is riff-based climactic song writing at it's best. The mass vocals seem to sit tastefully in the mix, not overpowering Letto and very much complimentary in it's call-and-response manor. Structure seems concrete and well-rounded with a definite rewarding journey throughout the song.
This leads perfectly into Vox Populi. Probably seen as the most relevant to the album's concept. The population's voice or similar translation must reinforce the message of community spirit felt throughout. I think this could have been dealt with more tastefully, however it makes a brave and bold statement that 30 Seconds to Mars are very proud of. Let's leave it at that, you probably will want to go read a review that makes sense now :).
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