WHAT MATT LIASSE THINKS: “This is war!” A confident crowd explodes after a whispering interlude during the first minutes of the third effort from 30 Seconds To Mars.
The band, fronted by universally known Jared Leto (famous for roles in the movies “Requiem For A Dream,” “Panic Room” and “Fight Club”) has been busy building an army in the more than five years it has been since their last record. Anticipation could either become the band’s greatest friend or biggest enemy.
“This Is War” is far different from their wildly popular “A Beautiful Lie,” but the key elements of that the band has become known for are still prevalent.
Where they start, they cannot stop; speaking of course of the theatrical and dramatic effects found on “This Is War.” The “experimental” album features a seductive French voice in the backgrounds of “Night Of The Hunter,” a falcon screeching in the beginning of “Kings And Queens” and keyboard and computer-generated effects dripping on almost every track.
Not to mention, the roaring crowd continues throughout the entire selection, making it sound at times like a live album.
The fact that every song has the same arrangement is hard to ignore as well: starting off soft, throwing in some boisterous drums, Leto’s vocals shifting from sensual murmurs to louder wails, ending usually after a cameo from the war-ridden crowd. The reported guest spot for Kanye West on “Hurricane” was withheld from the final cut, which is a shame, because it would’ve offered something new.
But still, the only statement that can be made about this album is that it is epic. “This Is War” is chalked full of threatening lyrics and long interludes. Listening to the album from the earphones connected to an iPod will not do it justice. Seeing the album live onstage would make it more at home. Nonetheless, this album shows musical growth, and with most of the songs being between five and six minutes, the sing-along fun lingers.
The best tunes are kept at the front of the album, though, and after the first nine tracks conclude, the album becomes a snooze.
Artist Name | 30 Seconds to MarsGrade | B+