In honor of The Used's 25th anniversary as a band, they are embarking on a massive tour where they will play three nights in each city playing their first three albums in their entirety. Additionally, they have released special editions of these landmark albums with reimagined artwork from new artists. We had the opportunity to collaborate with the band and get our hands on these records. It is our pleasure to review them on these special Collector's Corners for you in honor of the band's anniversary as a part of our weeklong programming special dedicated to one of our favorite bands out there!
Background
Released in May of 2007, Lies for the Liars was the first album not to feature Branden Steineckert. For the purposes of recording the album, Dean Butterworth of Good Charlotte filled in for the role. However, it would be later announced that Dan Whitesides would be taking over drum duties full-time. The band recorded 19 songs from 40 that were written for the album. They then settled on 11 that were featured on the album, (12 if you count hidden track "Queso"). The band also continued their work with John Feldmann as producer for the record. Lies for the Liars would feature the band in an experimental phase as they played with genre and sounds on this release. It was later certified Gold!
(Photo Credit: Michael La Torre)
The Artwork
The reconceptualization of the Lies for the Liars album, completed by Craola (Greg "Craola" Simkins) features a stunning scene including a goose engaged in fierce combat with a worm creature, a nice nod to single "Bird and the Worm". The cover also features a subtle hint to the boxhead creature that original artist Alex Pardee created for the album's first cover. We're also given a beautiful white rose on the cover that is thorned and coming out of the worm. The band's logo and a bloodheart is made up of spiderwebs created by a spider which dangles below the bloodheart.
(Photo Credit: Michael La Torre)
The LP
The LP features a gorgeous iridescent blue that initially seems grey, but when it shines, the blue comes out quite nicely. There are also nice smoky, ethereal, lines within the makeup of the LP. The band also once again shows that they have what it takes to make a beautiful LP that also sounds great. As I've mentioned in previous entries in this feature, that doesn't always happen.
The Music
The album shows the band not fearing experimenting with their sound. The album still features elements of The Used that we all know and love including the melodies and screams. However, incorporating strings in single "The Bord and the Worm" was a fantastic touch. The band achieves one of their highest points to date on this album with the incorporation of "Smother Me". It's a touching and heartfelt track where McCracken shines on vocals and shows his range as a more traditional vocalist. This is another LP worth your time. You can find it here.
Additionally, if you're interested in the band's 25th Anniversary Tour, see the dates below:
The Used 2025 Tour Dates
April 3 – Detroit, MI – The Fillmore*
April 5 – Detroit, MI – The Fillmore^
April 6 – Detroit, MI – The Fillmore+
April 9 – Boston, MA – House Of Blues*
April 11 – Boston, MA – House Of Blues^
April 12 – Boston, MA – House Of Blues+
April 15 – Sayreville, NJ – The Starland Ballroom*
April 16 – Sayreville, NJ – The Starland Ballroom^
April 18 – Sayreville, NJ –The Starland Ballroom+
April 19 – New York, NY – Irving Plaza*
April 21 – New York, NY – Irving Plaza^
April 22 – New York, NY – Irving Plaza+
April 25 – Chicago, IL – House Of Blues*
April 26 – Chicago, IL – House Of Blues^
April 27 – Chicago, IL –House Of Blues+
April 29 – Denver, CO – Ogden Theatre*
April 30 Denver, CO – Ogden Theatre^
May 2 Denver, CO –Ogden Theatre+
May 3 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Union*
May 5 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Union^
May 6 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Union+
May 8 – Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern*
May 10 – Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern^
May 11 – Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern+
May 13 – San Diego, CA – House Of Blues*
May 15 – San Diego, CA – House Of Blues^
May 16 – San Diego, CA – House Of Blues+
* Playing Self-Titled Record
^ Playing In Love And Death
+ Playing Lies For The Liars
FMI on all things The Used visit their website at theused.net.
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