''Artwork'' is the fourth studio album by American
rock
Rock most often refers to:
* Rock (geology), a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals or mineraloids
* Rock music, a genre of popular music
Rock or Rocks may also refer to:
Places United Kingdom
* Rock, Caerphilly, a location in Wale ...
band
the Used
The Used is an American rock band from Orem, Utah, formed in 2000. The group consists of vocalist Bert McCracken, bassist Jeph Howard, drummer Dan Whitesides, and guitarist Joey Bradford. Former members include Quinn Allman, Branden Steinec ...
, released through
Reprise
In music, a reprise ( , ; from the verb 'to resume') is the repetition or reiteration of the opening material later in a composition as occurs in the recapitulation of sonata form, though—originally in the 18th century—was simply any re ...
in the United States and the United Kingdom on August 31, 2009.
Recording
The Used began writing for ''Artwork'' in early 2008, and originally hoped to enter the studio shortly after
Kevin Lyman's 2008 "Get a Life Tour" with
Weezer
Weezer is an American rock band formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1992. Since 2001, the band has consisted of Rivers Cuomo (lead vocals, guitar, keyboards), Patrick Wilson (drums, backing vocals), Brian Bell (guitar, keyboards, backing ...
front-man
Rivers Cuomo
Rivers Cuomo ( ; born June 13, 1970) is an American musician best known as the lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter of the rock band Weezer. Cuomo was born in New York City and raised in several Buddhist communities in the northeaste ...
as producer of the album.
The Used expressed their interest in the raw sound found on Weezer's 1996 album ''
Pinkerton'', and hoped to create a similar sound by working with Cuomo.
The band ended up working with producer
Matt Squire
Matt Squire is an American record producer, audio engineer, mixing engineer, and songwriter. His production, songwriting, and mixing credits include Panic! at the Disco, Ariana Grande, Sabrina Carpenter, Demi Lovato, Selena Gomez, Kesha, One Di ...
(
Panic! at the Disco
Panic! at the Disco was an American pop rock band formed in Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada, in 2004 by high school friends Ryan Ross (guitar) and Spencer Smith (musician), Spencer Smith (drums), who recruited classmates Brendon Urie (vocals and ...
,
Boys Like Girls
Boys Like Girls (stylized in all caps since 2023) is an American rock band formed in Andover, Massachusetts, in 2005. The group gained mainstream recognition with their self-titled debut album (2006), which went on to sell over 700,000 albu ...
,
The Receiving End of Sirens
The Receiving End of Sirens (abbreviated TREOS) is an American rock band from Belchertown, Massachusetts, United States. Formed in 2003, the band broke up in 2008 then briefly reunited in 2010; a 2020 reunion tour was canceled. In December 2024, ...
) and did not enter the studio until the end of 2008.
On December 20, 2008, it was mentioned that the band had three or four weeks of recording remaining.
In January 2009, the band posted a few videos of the recording process. On March 7, the group finished recording.
The band experienced several changes upon making ''Artwork''. The band changed management within their label
Reprise Records
Reprise Records is an American record label founded in 1960 by Frank Sinatra. It is owned by Warner Music Group, and operates through Warner Records, one of its flagship labels.
Artists currently signed to Reprise Records include Green Day, En ...
. This was the first album with new drummer Dan Whitesides; also the first studio album that was not produced by
Goldfinger's frontman
John Feldmann
John William Feldmann (born June 29, 1967) is an American musician and record producer. He serves as the lead singer/guitarist of the punk rock band Goldfinger.
Early life
Feldmann grew up in Saratoga, California. He started writing songs aro ...
. Feldmann had been working with The Used since lead singer
Bert McCracken
Robert Edward McCracken (born February 25, 1982) is an American singer who is the lead vocalist and songwriter of the rock band the Used.
Early life
McCracken was born in Provo, Utah, and grew up in Orem, Utah. He was raised in a Mormon fam ...
threw a demo on stage during a Goldfinger concert in 2001.
Commenting on the band's state prior to these changes, guitarist
Quinn Allman
Quinn Scott Allman (born January 18, 1982) is an American musician, best known as the guitarist, backing vocalist, and a founding member of the rock band The Used.
Biography
Allman grew up in Springville, Utah, and later moved to Pleasant G ...
felt that, "we were kept in a space with our resources that was creating an essence for our band that wasn't who we truly were."
Composition
Feeling that the band's previous albums had a similar sound, they had hoped to make a brand new genre they refer to as "gross pop" with ''Artwork''.
In ''
Alternative Press Alternative press may refer to:
Individual publications
* ''Alternative Press'' (magazine), an American music magazine
Alternative journalism
* Alternative media
** Alternative media (U.S. political left)
** Alternative media (U.S. political r ...
'' magazine, McCracken described the new genre, "In the past, we've always kind of brought
pop
Pop or POP may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media
* Pop music, a musical genre
Artists
* POP, a Japanese idol group now known as Gang Parade
* Pop! (British group), a UK pop group
* Pop! featuring Angie Hart, an Australian band
Album ...
sensibility into heavy rock, but this is going to be all that much more tantalizing and brutal. Our songs are 10 times messier and noisier than they've ever been."
["In the Studio". ''Alternative Press''. (October 2008) issue 243, p. 38.] The themes of the record include "coming to grips with how much you really hate yourself"
and the concept of mortality. McCracken, who had previously lived a "reckless life," recently came to terms with how easy it is to accidentally die after the death of actor
Heath Ledger
Heath Andrew Ledger (4 April 1979 – 22 January 2008) was an Australian actor. After playing roles in several Australian television and film productions during the 1990s, he moved to the United States in 1998 to further develop his film care ...
.
Allman compared it musically to the group's
self-titled album.
He described "
Blood on My Hands" as a track that "sums up everything about the Used." "Empty with You" is about being okay with feeling lonely, provided there is someone you can share the loneliness with.
[ "Meant to Die" is loosely based on the death of Ledger and not being able to say "sorry," or "I never meant to die" after an accidental death.]
This album features Bert McCracken's brother Joseph McCracken singing at two songs.
Release
On March 30, 2009, ''Artwork'' was announced for release in June. In March and April, the band performed a handful of shows in the US with the Bled
The Bled is an American post-hardcore/metalcore band from Tucson, Arizona, formed in 2001. They released four albums ('' Pass the Flask'', '' Found in the Flood'', '' Silent Treatment'' and '' Heat Fetish'') before disbanding in 2012.
History ...
. The band appeared at The Bamboozle
The Bamboozle was an annual three-day music festival which was held in New Jersey from 2003 to 2012, and was scheduled for a 2023 revival in Atlantic City by its founder. Every year, new bands competed for spots during the two days. The event ...
festival in early May. At shows prior to the release of ''Artwork'', the Used performed the new track "Blood on My Hands". This song was the first single from the album, and was released on June 30 as a vinyl picture disc
Picture discs are gramophone record, gramophone (phonograph) records that show images on their playing surface, rather than being of plain black or colored vinyl. Collectors traditionally reserve the term picture disc for records with graphics ...
and digital download. From July until the album's release, guitar tabs were released for the songs on their official website on a weekly basis. "Blood on My Hands" was released on radio on July 14. In August, the group appeared at the Sonisphere Festival
The Sonisphere Festival was a touring rock music festival which took place across Europe between the months of June and August. The festival was owned by John Jackson and Kilimanjaro Live. It was jointly promoted by K2 and Kilimanjaro Live. It h ...
. "Born to Quit" was released as a single on August 11.
After being planned for release in spring, and having an initial release date of September,[ ''Artwork'' was eventually released on August 31 through major label ]Reprise Records
Reprise Records is an American record label founded in 1960 by Frank Sinatra. It is owned by Warner Music Group, and operates through Warner Records, one of its flagship labels.
Artists currently signed to Reprise Records include Green Day, En ...
. A special edition CD+DVD package was released, featuring an expanded booklet and a DVD with behind the scenes materials. The CD featured an outtake "In a Needle" and an alternative mix of "On the Cross" as bonus tracks. Following the album's release, the group went on a UK tour in September. In October and November, the group went on a headlining US tour with support from the Almost
The Almost is an American Rock music, rock band from Clearwater, Florida, fronted by Underoath drummer and vocalist Aaron Gillespie. Formed in 2005 as a solo project by Gillespie, the band currently includes guitarist Jay Vilardi, bassist Jon Tho ...
and Drive A. Every person that purchased their tickets online were sent the demo "Something Safe" and an uncensored music video for "Blood on My Hands". On December 11, a music video premiered for "Empty with You" through Tunelab's website. "Born to Quit" was released to radio on December 15.
Reception
The album opened at #10 on the ''Billboard'' 200 with 35,000 copies sold.
''Artwork'' received mostly mixed reviews from music critics. Metacritic
Metacritic is an American website that aggregates reviews of films, television shows, music albums, video games, and formerly books. For each product, the scores from each review are averaged (a weighted average). Metacritic was created ...
has given the album a score of 56 out of 100 based on 8 reviews. On Sputnikmusic, it received a score of 3.3 out of 5 based on all reviews, indicating "great". Sputnikmusic user Trey Spencer awarded the album 4 stars out of 5, summarizing his review by saying, "The Used make some adjustments in their sound and end up with an album that will require a few listens to really sink in."
''Alternative Press'' praised the album highly, saying "On their fourth full-length, the Used have delivered not only the definitive album of their career, but arguably one of the best records you'll hear in 2009."[ On the other hand, '']PopMatters
''PopMatters'' is an international online magazine of cultural criticism that covers aspects of popular culture. ''PopMatters'' publishes reviews, interviews, and essays on cultural products and expressions in areas such as music, television, ...
'' said, "After sampling the tasteless, bland delights of Artwork though, I can't imagine many will."[
]
Track listing
Additional track information
The Used recorded 18 songs during the ''Artwork'' recording session. The 5 b-sides from the session are titled "Mosh n' Church", "In a Needle", "Something Safe", "Burning Down The House" "On The Cross (Save Yourself Mix)" and "Sold My Soul (Time Lapse Mix)". The b-sides were released as downloadable bonus tracks for pre-ordering the album, buying tickets to the album tour, and later on digital music stores. A remix version of "On the Cross" was also released on digital music stores and an alternative version of "Sold My Soul" was posted to the band's YouTube page. "Burning Down The House" is a cover of the song by Talking Heads and is available on the Transformers Revenge Of The Fallen soundtrack and Covered, A Revolution Of Sound.
Personnel
The Used
* Bert McCracken
Robert Edward McCracken (born February 25, 1982) is an American singer who is the lead vocalist and songwriter of the rock band the Used.
Early life
McCracken was born in Provo, Utah, and grew up in Orem, Utah. He was raised in a Mormon fam ...
– lead vocals, piano; drawings
* Jeph Howard – bass, backing vocals
* Quinn Allman
Quinn Scott Allman (born January 18, 1982) is an American musician, best known as the guitarist, backing vocalist, and a founding member of the rock band The Used.
Biography
Allman grew up in Springville, Utah, and later moved to Pleasant G ...
– guitar, backing vocals; photography
* Dan Whitesides – drums, percussion, backing vocals
Additional personnel
* Joseph McCracken – vocals on "Blood on My Hands", screaming vocals on "Meant to Die"
* Jed Bleecker – vocals on "Blood on My Hands"
* "Killer" Dayton Killian – vocals on "Blood on My Hands"
Production
* Matt Squire
Matt Squire is an American record producer, audio engineer, mixing engineer, and songwriter. His production, songwriting, and mixing credits include Panic! at the Disco, Ariana Grande, Sabrina Carpenter, Demi Lovato, Selena Gomez, Kesha, One Di ...
– production, sound engineer
* Neal Avron
Neal Avron (born December 31, 1965) is an American record producer, mixer, audio engineer, and musician. Working predominantly in rock music, Avron began working on records in 1993 and achieved his production breakthrough when he co-produced Ev ...
– mixing
* Ted Jensen
Ted Jensen (born September 19, 1954) is an American mastering engineer, known for having mastered many recordings, including the Eagles' '' Hotel California'', Green Day's '' American Idiot'' and Norah Jones' ''Come Away with Me''.
Early life ...
– mastering
* Edward Colver – assistant
* Nicolas Fournier – mixing assistant
* Bill Appleberry – digital editing
* Paul Rayner-Brown – photography, artwork
* Frank Maddocks – design, cover photo, creative director
* Craig Aaronson – A&R
Chart performance
Release history
;Standard edition
;Limited edition
References
External links
''Artwork''
at YouTube
YouTube is an American social media and online video sharing platform owned by Google. YouTube was founded on February 14, 2005, by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim who were three former employees of PayPal. Headquartered in ...
(streamed copy where licensed)
*
{{Authority control
2009 albums
The Used albums
Albums produced by Matt Squire
Reprise Records albums