The Used — The Used
An emo classic where I’m from, The Used is a product of its time for better or worse.
Utah born Bert McCracken and co. formed Used in the summer of 2000. Their name came from the feelings the band had about their current situation of poverty. They were discovered by the frontman of Goldfinger who flew the band to Los Angeles to begin looking for a record deal following their demos. Once signed to Reprise Records the band discovered there was another band by their name so they added “the.” John Feldmann (Goldfinger) signed on to produce The Used’s self titled debut in late 2001. Leaving their native Utah, the band recorded the album in Marina del Rey California and London. The album released in the summer of 2002 and received positive reviews. The Used peaked at no. 63 on the Billboard charts and went on to be certified Platinum.
“Maybe Memories” was one of the first songs the band wrote together once McCracken joined. My x2 LP which runs the following songs at 45 rpm started with this song in horrifying slow motion because I forgot to switch the speed. The song sets up one of the main themes for the album which is McCracken’s history of substance abuse. He screams in defiance of his addiction he is not going to look back. “The Taste of Ink” is perhaps the band’s most recognized song. The taste of ink refers to writers block and larger themes of frustration hence biting your pen in anger. McCracken again speaks from the viewpoint of someone who has overcome their vices. This is the band’s poppiest song on the album, so it is no wonder it was the first single released. “Bulimic” may be belaboring the point of the previous two songs in its anti-drug message or could be a more literal reading of a relationship. The simple guitar ditty and poppy drums which introduce the song never fail to amp me up before we get to some of my favorite lyrics on the album “I’m about to do all of the things I’ve dreamed of / And I don’t even miss you at all, Fuck you!.” I never said they were profound lyrics, but they do feel good while achieving things you wanted to do as a couple after a relationship. Side B begins with the sole absolute must skip on the album “Poetic Tragedy.” A pukey song about a Utahn upbringing, hard pass. “Buried Myself Alive” refers to McCracken’s bulimic tendencies while liberating himself from a drug-addled ex. This song also has a softer side similar to “The Taste of Ink” while much of the album is more screamcore. Ending Side B, “A Box Full of Sharp Objects” also ends many shows by The Used and it is no wonder why; this song slaps… hard. This track was the song which got the band their record deal. Having the inspirational message of failing while doing something you care about being more powerful than succeeding at something unworthy of your time. The band could be classifying their music as the sharp objects and how beautiful they all look together. “Blue and Yellow” is the first slow song on the album which doesn’t suck. The song is about friendship, love, and being better together. The piano and guitar on this track are smooth and satisfying as McCracken’s angst riddled voice croons and screams over the whole affair. Building to a perfect crescendo, this is one the best from the album. “Greener With The Scenery” was one of my favorites back in the day. The song is about relapsing and the cyclical fashion of addiction. With a strong bass line and a stellar electric acoustic guitar, the song looms in an ominous way already before introducing a swelling string section. Side D begins with the emo classic, “On My Own.” Another string arrangement accompanies the strummy acoustic guitar as McCracken sings of going it alone while the world bustles around him. This song reintroduces the theme of failing for something rather than nothing. Building to a well earned scream, this is emo perfection. “Pieces Mended” ends the album, kind of. The song speaks of closure and moving forward as one whole unit rather than disparate fragments, The Used is here and they are one. Sitting in silence for several minutes we are then treated to a sex worker singing happy birthday to Bert while they recorded in London, which leads into one of the hardest tracks on the album: “Choke Me.” This all concludes with the vinyl’s bonus track “Just A Little.” This track is fine, but I’d prefer if the album ended with “Pieces Mended.”
Must Listen To: A Box Full Of Sharp Objects
“Today I fell, and felt better / Just knowing this matters / I just feel stronger / And sharper”
