The Used - Heartwork (April 24, 2020) Album • Page 14

Yeah I really like most of the Canyon's songs but I can't really get past it sounding like I'm listening on a shitty boombox. There's nothing interesting about muddy production as a choice to me

 

I normally like Feldmann's production. Though, I think he touches Berts voice too much. There's many times Bert just sounds really weird to me on Heartwork

 

Mi Medicina is the kind of weird little song I'm glad they're making these days. Good vibes.

 

Not the vinyl I'm looking for

 

I can’t believe it’s been 2 years. Crazy. When this came out I was training for an ultra marathon and all trails were closed due to covid, but you could “be on the sidewalks if it was for exercise or going to work or grocery store”. So, I ran the streets with a buff over my face while rocking hard to this album. Then like a month later my race was cancelled lol.

 

I can't believe I forgot the anniversary! It was one i had memorized because this album was so special to me. But alas, i still forgot. Been so busy. Anyhoo.

 

A short story in honour of this anniversary...

I hadn’t really listened to The Used much since the Self-Titled > Lies For The Liars run, Artwork never really grabbed me and the band simply fell out of my musical orbit as their discography continued to grow. Until I heard Paradise Lost by chance in the lead- up to Heartwork’s release! This song sent me down the rabbit hole all over again and keeping an eager eye on what was next to come (I had checked out Blow Me which was still fairly solid but it didn’t quite click with me as much).

A few months passed and the band dropped Cathedral Bell as another teaser single which was mindblowing to hear, as someone who had checked out after LFTL. The arrangement and sonic subtleties stunned me. Maybe I was (definitely) an idiot for having not revisited this band sooner?!

Jump ahead to the day before release... anticipation is at fever pitch, the album had leaked and I (having already pre-ordered a vinyl copy) acquired said leak and listened to it with headphones in bed late at night with all the lights out. It was a real trip. A completely sweeping sensory experience in the dark.

Certainly not a “perfect” album by any means (I’d even argue it would have been stronger for cutting a few songs), but some absolutely killer tunes and a surprisingly diverse mix of songs overall. That first listen was an experience I’ll carry with me always and why this album is a special one to me! And DEFINITELY looking forward to the next record to see how they follow this.

Top 5:
Gravity’s Rainbow
Obvious Blasé
Cathedral Bell
Paradise Lost
Darkness Bleeds, FOTF

 

Heartwork definitely has some of The Used's best songs. I think Paradise Lost and Obvious Blasé are just perfect songs by the band.

 

I love Artwork and this is their best since Artwork. If Artwork didn’t exist, then this is their best since In Love & Death.

 

Woooo! Artwork doesn't get enough love. It's the album that got me into the band, so it's my favorite, aside from S/T.

 

i dont hate it.