The Used — Artwork

Out of the depths of The Used's troubled minds comes their fourth studio album, Artwork, a disturbing release injected with a heavy dose of self-hate.

The band stated in interviews that this was their most personally anticipated release since their 2002 self-titled debut. That's fine, but the album lacks the visceral catchiness of tracks like "Box Of Sharp Objects" and instead tones down on the howling, with each song unfurling like acts in one long suicide letter.

Thematically, Artwork is an extremely bleak and a tough record to get into, which isn't too surprising considering vocalist Bert McCracken's battles with drugs, alcoholism, life and death over the past couple years.

"Meant To Die" sounds like it would be killer live, with its ascending choruses and remnants of a younger McCracken. Better, though, is the slower piano track "Kissing You Goodbye." It embraces Artwork's dark concept, but feels more human and less aggressive, showing a welcome vulnerable side to McCracken and The Used that allows the keys and guitars to do most of the talking.

The band have ditched their old producer, Goldfinger frontman John Feldmann, and switched to Matt Squire (Taking Back Sunday, Panic! At The Disco), and while the album is sound it lacks that refined pop I would expect from both The Used and Squire himself. Artwork sounds like controlled conventional chaos that fails to truly capture the heaviness the band were hoping for.

Artwork is too reserved and disappointingly forgettable for a band who were once forerunners in the screamo genre. I've still got faith, though, and have a feeling the next album will make up for this.

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