The Used - Maybe Memories
Published July 22, 2003
Can you imagine Bono singing in a Mudvayne cover band?
Ok, maybe that's stretching it just a little. But there are definitely some U2-ish elements to Bert McCracken's vocals. On the other hand, this guy can scream!! Cripes, he keeps this up and someday his uvula is gonna fly out of his mouth and paste itself to some poor front-row forehead.
But that's where the Mudvayne thing ends. This CD contains a pile of previously unreleased and live material (plus a bonus DVD). I'd never head of these guys before and was a little worried, after hearing the first scream, that they were headed for the "loud but boring sorta-metal" pile. Nope. I really like "A Box Full Of Sharp Objects": a cool guitar riff, plenty of dissonance and that throat-ripping scream. The rest of the songs are a lot more diverse in style than you would expect. Heck, there was even a piano instrumental.
What are kids calling this stuff anyway? Punk? Emo-core? I guess it doesn't matter. It is kinda fun though.
(First posted on Mark Is Cranky)
Mark Saleski is a writer and music obsessive based out of the Monadnock region of New Hampshire. On his best day, he hopes to channel the ghosts of Lester Bangs and Jack Kerouac. He spends the hours of 9:32PM to 1:37AM carving out music reviews and essays for Jazz.com, Blogcritics.org and other publications.
- The Used - Maybe Memories
- Published: July 22, 2003
- Type:
- Section: Music
- Writer: Mark Saleski
- Mark Saleski's BC Writer page
- Mark Saleski's personal site
- Spread the Word
- Like this article?
- Email this
Save to del.icio.us
Comments on this articleComments
I recently got to watching the DVD which is included in the package, and while it is especially complimentary to the band, it is a very good behind the scenes view for fans. It is nowhere near as objective as a VH1 behind the music or something like that, but a fan will enjoy the candid interviews, live performances and the band's succession from unknown to fame.
I just bought the new CD of the used "in love and death" and i love every single song in it! it rawks! lol and I call that kind of music 'screamo' =P but that's just me, bert is awesome! and it's also awesome that they're from utah! cuz i'm from there and i live there..lol and everytime they come here the hometown shows are like $8 so hell yeah! it rawks! well if you haven't listen to them! you should check them out sometime! i'm sure you'll like them! ;)
OMG!!! This band is like so awesome.All their songs are so deep lyricly.Bert's voice is so awesome im like in love with it,And of course jeph,quinn,and stephen are awesome too.My favorite songs are On My Own,Bulimic,Poetic Tragedy,Greener W/the scenary,and all the rest they are good too. By the way the album awesome(bought it the day it came out)I Cant wait to see them live they so like rock.Later Guys.
OMG! I'm in love with The Used! Bert's voice blends so perfectly with the music. I love all there songs, but my fave is probably Take It Away. Come to Canada!! I really wanna see you guys live! Thanks for the wicked music!!
I found out THE USED through my friends at work. They've grown on me! there is a 10% discount for "in love and death" on the site www.SliderStyle.com for the Warner Bros Music store. not sure when it expires, maybe february 2005? later --
YES...THE USED could very well be the Best band EVER! WHo am i kidding i know they are the lyrics are so deep and insparational ...And Bert...im in love w/ him so...ROCK ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !
i love him! Bert I love you remeber we walked right by eachother and you looked at me in veags? and i screamed I love and you giggled and smiled? The Used is the best band in the world no ne can beat them!
You guyz rocked in vegas may 7 i love you BERT!!!! You say Las Vegas is the best and you love the crowd because we are crazy _____, well you are the best and I love you BERT McCRACKEN!!!!!! email me please!
i LOVE BERT AND ALL HIS SONGS, HE IS SOOO HOT! I HAVE THEIR NEW CD "IN LOVE AND DEATH" BUT I STILL HAVE TO GET ONE OF THEIR OLD ONES, BUT I HAVE HEARD ALOT OF THE OLD SONGS. WITCH I ALSO LOVE!!! I HOPE TO GO TO THEIR CONCERT SOON!!!!!
I personally prefer Ernie - Bert's conical head disturbs me
The used has changed my life. The lyrics are sooo deep. And A lot of kids I know really understand the issues brought up!
omg the used is the best band you'll ever hear and they play a kick ass show and if bert ever reads this....NICE ASS!
if you don't listen to them you should its way worth it!!!!! trust me
get the fuck up out my bizznass as jepha once said
Well The Used rox! ANd I LOVE Brandon.. not from the used!!!!! Well i just googled myself and i actually founs something on me!!! lol I Love you guyz!!!!! ~Jessica Durrett
I LOVE YOU BERT McCRACKEN!!!!
I recently saw them at a show and they were awesome! <3 Quinn <3 and at the show Bert was saying something like " Get your pussy and fuck my ass" or something like that and the crowd was like wtf?! and laughed....we love you
The Used isn't screamo. That's a word fabricated by posers. They COULD just continue to consider it "emo", however Hot Topic seems to alter their perception. The Used can also be titled as "Death Punk", which I can understand that, since they combine falsetto screaming and demonic growling with the traditional power chords of the early punk bands. (The Sex Pistols, the Clash, the Ramones.) Listen carefully for their influence. Anyway, nevertheless their genre, they are the best greatest band of all time and I salute them.
the used fucking rox i dont care what any stupid little emo person says about them...........and my boyfriend can play pretty mush every fucking song and can sing every fucking song to............
........i wish ya a full life......
-lavita-
HOLY CRAP The Used fucking rock, I went to their concert on sept.16/05 and Bert was so hott XD and their music is amazing so BLEH *Bert's mine =D*
i love the used. the songs they perform rock my the used shirt. i love when bert screams. they awesome
I love the used.. they are A-Mazing. the last song on maybe memories where bert is playing the piano.. is awesome.. im in love with that song. i hope that their next CD isnt like the last one... but more like the first one.... their first cd was amazing and so emotional. In love and death was also awesome but it was to pop-rocky...
the used is a good band. My favourite songs include: I caught fire, let it bleed, and all that ive got. However, i dont think they they can be considered one of the best rock bands. There are a few better ones out there, such as MCR. Anyone who likes the used should listen to MCR.
I do love The Used. In fact, I would say I'm in love with them, and their music. Gotta love the screaming...though I'm not quite sure why.
Oh well.
Bert, Jepha, Quinn and Branden...they all rule.
I love the used, there music is soo powerful and it just makes me want to become an artist so i can help other kids what the used helps me go threw.. BERT IS HOT.
The used rock. I adore them. Jepha is sooo hot. OMG I LOVE HIM!!! I have 3 huge posters ogf them on my wall. I do like MCR too but everyone else is starting to like them now and its just getting to be a bit too much of them, if u know what i mean.
Anyways. You should definitely go out and buy there CD (the used that is) all there cd's are awsome so it doesn't matter.
Jesse
its good but the last trakc, just the piano song is the best n if any one knows where the sheet music can be found id love to know.
You da best the Used and I would do anything for yall I love you baby I know that every one says that Bert is hot but he really is and so is Quinn and Jepha and don't worry Branden my sister thinks your hot too I've never gone to one of your concerts but I would very much like to because you guys are the best band ever and don't worry I'm not just some stupid poser who is just acting stupid I for real I really want to meet the Used don't you i mean theyare so down to earth and real they seem like such sweet hearts You now why cuz Were in Germany God Damn It right goota go though love you guys
Add your comment, speak your mind
(Or ping: http://blogcritics.org/mt/tb/7136)
actually, I have heard a lot of people calling it "scream-o"