CD Review: 30 Seconds to Mars - A Beautiful Lie
Published March 15, 2006
Authentic hard rock has always been about bleeding emotions and music so sharp and heavy it can tear flesh. This might not be what you would expect from a band that is fronted by an actor, but it is exactly what 30 Seconds To Mars delivers in A Beautiful Lie. The music is razor-sharp and solid, everything that good old-fashioned hard rock is suppose to be, but with a polished edge that is refreshing and modern.
The band is headed up by Jared Leto, also known for his roles in such critically acclaimed films as Requiem For Dream, Panic Room, Alexander and most recently Lord of War with Nicholas Cage. On Leto's dual roles, MTV.com said,
He is not the first actor to launch a career in rock and roll, but somehow he's managed to be the only one audience don't laugh off the stage ... 30 Seconds to Mars has earned itself some bona fide rock cred over the course of its brief career.I couldn't agree more. Leto must draw from the same deep introspective place he goes to for his dark roles to write his music. The lyrics are passionate and the music is raw energy.
Aware of the preconceptions held toward acting musicians, Leto said, "Any time you have precedent that's negative like that, you're gonna have an uphill battle. I've never shied away from that." He doesn't offer any apologizes, and he shouldn't. The commitment and talent he brings to the music can't be denied and is just as credible as what he brings to his acting. Not only the does he write all the songs the group records, he is lead vocalist and plays guitar. Jared's brother, Shannon Leto, plays drums, and they are joined in 30 Seconds to Mars by Tomo Milicevic, also on guitars, and Matt Wachter on bass.
The CD opens with what was the first single, "Attack." The opening is a digital extravaganza of synthesizers which gives way to Leto's powerful vocals. Though he occasionally moves to the screaming that is ever present in today's heavy music, he doesn't cheat on the vocals. For the most part, it is very melodic and his voice is commanding. What he is delivering with that voice is potent as well. The lyrics are intricate and nearly poetic. This song is a driven expression of endings and new beginnings. The deep seated emotions cross both sides of the spectrum, rage filled and mournful.
The second single from A Beautiful Lie is "The Kill." This begins soft ... soft drums, and lyrics tenderly whispered. As it progresses, it fills out with the guitar lines, and it transforms into something loud. The emotions run high through this charged track. It's another song about a volatile relationship, a theme that is ever present through most of the CD. It is all laid out on the line - powerful and strong guitar and drum lines behind a sturdy lyrical delivery.
Wife, mother, aspiring novelist, and music editor at BC Magazine, Connie Phillips spends most of her time in a fantasy land of her own creating. In reality, she writes about music, television, and the process of writing, when she's not cheering on her kids at equestrian events. Contact: Phillips.connie@gmail.com
- CD Review: 30 Seconds to Mars - A Beautiful Lie
- Published: March 15, 2006
- Type: Review
- Section: Music
- Filed Under: Music: Hard Rock
- Part of a feature: Featured Artist
- Writer: Connie Phillips
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I just downloaded their first (self-titled) album from iTunes yesterday. Haven't had the chance to listen to it yet, though. I'm having a hard time turning this one off long enough to listen to anything else.
yawn
I was introduced to 30 Seconds to Mars last year...and I immediately fell in love with their music. There's something about the raw edge in both albums that makes you feel like the song was written just for how you're feeling. I'm taking the opportunity to see the band live next month and I am really stoked. I think the main reason why I never paid attention before is because the thought of actors becoming singers makes my skin crawl....Wicked Wisdom, The Bacon Brothers, etc...
Jared is a talented actor, but somehow I prefer his singing above all else and the fact that he isn't using his acting credits as a way to push the band further into the spotlight is commendable. In fact, he wants both to be separate, and he does a good job of doing so. These guys have won my heart, and I still can't decide which album I like better....they're both so good!
Thanks Janine,
I'm also going to see the band in a couple weeks and am looking forward to it. Both CDs are strong, if I had to pick one over the other, it would be A Beautiful Lie. I love how deep and personal the lyrics are.
BOTH OF THESE ALBUMS/CDS ARE FABULOUS.I LOVE THE WAY CONNIE DESCRIBES A BEAUTIFUL LIE ABOVE, I LOVE THE VOCALS AND ARRANGEMENT (THE DRUMS ARE GREAT) ON "FROM YESTERDAY". IF YOU HAVEN'T HEARD EITHER ALBUM I RECOMMEND BOTH. BUY ONE THEN THE OTHER, BOTH WILL HOOK YOU, THEN YOU WON'T WANT TO STOP LISTENING. THESE GUYS MAKE GREAT MUSIC!!!!! I HAVE SEEN THE BAND AND THEY ARE GREAT. 30 SECONDS TO MARS FOREVER NIGHT NEVER DAY TOUR-WHAT A BLAST!!! PROVEHITO IN ALTUM
Thanks Rev, As I said I was listening to A Beautiful Lie pretty obsessively the last couple weeks. After seeing them perform at Headliners in Toledo last night, I think it's only going to get worse.
Stay tuned for a review of that show and my interview with Tomo and Mathew in the next week or so.
I quite enjoy Jared Leto as an actor. I think actully that he is one of the underappreciated actors, that he has alot of range and depth in his acting. I bought the first album and I liked it alot, but the second one "A beautiful lie sounds alot like the first. He has a haunting beautiful voice, it sounds like you're hearing the music from inside his head or as if he was projecting it down to you from a long way off but his melodies sound too much alike, and all seem to convey just one type of emotion. I like that sort of breathy thing he does in parts of his songs, but because he does it so often after a while it loses the cool effect. My favorite songs on the album are, a beautiful lie, Was it a dream, and Story.
Hi Jennifer,
I agree about Leto being under appreciated as an actor. I thought he was fantastic in Lord of War.
I also like A Beautiful Lie better then the self titled first CD. I think it's much more personal.
Its good to know i'm not the only one obssesing.He truely is A dark angel.
Jared Leto is certainly an incredible talent, not only as an actor but as the driving force behind 30 Seconds to Mars!
they are just simply irrisistable..Love the band to pieces.
30 seconds too march is the best band
ok!!! no se english pero
les escrivo en spanish
I love Jared Leto
too, i dont know ingles well mas o menos son un grupo genial me gusta su musica hablan de lo que en vdd kiero escuchar sigan asi 30 seconds to march
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Yeah, this is a really good album. It's actually better than the band's debut album, which is good too.