A cruel critic/fan might say that The Used and My Chemical Romance are almost interchangeable. There are certainly strong similarities in sound and style between the two bands. Bert McCracken and Gerard Way employ very similar, higher-end vocal stylings. Both bands play that very theatrical, alternative pop/punky style of rock. Both appeal to a very similar fanbase. Check out Moving Out for proof.
Personally I give MCR the edge in the (possibly unfair) comparison. Their music is darker, more dramatic and quite simply rocks harder. The Used sound a little MCR-lite to these ears.
That’s not to say The Used don’t have merit. Vulnerable is their fifth full length album since their inception in 2001, and the experience is starting to show. Their sound and direction are fully developed, and now they begin to show the odd experimental touch here and there, whilst remaining catchy and not alienating of their long term fans. And it’s all delivered with an exuberance that is reasonably infectious.
This album displays a band that are confident in their abilities and in where they are headed. If you’d never heard My Chemical Romance in your life, you could listen to this album completely unencumbered by that comparison/similarity, and really enjoy it.
BY ROD WHITFIELD
Best Track: I Come Alive
If You Like This, You’ll Like These: MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE, TAKING BACK SUNDAY, SILVERSTEIN
In A Word: Fun
