Imaginary Enemy (album)
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''Imaginary Enemy'' is the sixth 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 ...
. It is the first album released on, and the second label the band created and own, GAS Union. Imaginary Enemy is the final album to feature guitarist Quinn Allman before he parted from the band in November 2015.


Recording

The album was produced by John Feldmann, who also produced all of the band's studio albums with the exception of
Artwork A work of art, artwork, art piece, piece of art or art object is an artistic creation of aesthetic value. Except for "work of art", which may be used of any work regarded as art in its widest sense, including works from literature ...
. In an interview with Jeph, he stated that they recorded the album "backwards" by having the vocals recorded first and then having the music written to the vocals. It is the first time they have recorded like this and did so because they were unhappy with the sound of the songs when recording the music so they scrapped the dozen songs they had written and tried something new.


Release

On January 20, 2014, ''Imaginary Enemy'' was announced for release in April; its track listing and artwork were revealed. A week later, a music video was released for "Cry". The track was released to alternative radio stations on February 4. Following a performance at South by So What?! festival, the band went on a co-headlining US tour with
Taking Back Sunday Taking Back Sunday is an American rock band from Amityville, New York, formed by guitarist Eddie Reyes and bassist Jesse Lacey in late 1999. The band's current members are Adam Lazzara (lead vocals), John Nolan (lead guitar, keyboards, voc ...
in March and April. They were supported by Sleepwave and Tonight Alive. ''Imaginary Enemy'' was made available for streaming on March 26, before being released on April 1 through
Hopeless Records Hopeless Records is an American independent record label in Van Nuys, California. History Hopeless Records was founded in 1993 by Louis Posen. The label's artists are generally considered to fall under the genres of punk rock, pop punk, post-ha ...
and the band's label GAS Union. The band performed at the
Download Festival Download Festival is a rock festival created by Andy Copping, held annually at the Donington Park motorsport circuit in Leicestershire, England (since 2003); in Paris, France (since 2016); at Parramatta Park, Sydney (since 2019); Flemington ...
in the UK in June. The group toured Australia with Taking Back Sunday in August and the US in September and October with support from
Frank Iero Frank Anthony Iero, Jr. (, born October 31, 1981) is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer, best known as the rhythm guitarist and backup vocalist of the rock band My Chemical Romance and as a guitarist in the supergr ...
. Partway through the tour, the group released a
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10" vinyl EP, which featured two songs by Taking Back Sunday, and "Revolution" and "Money Monster" from the Used. On September 18, a music video was released for "Revolution". The track was released to alternative radio stations on September 30. On February 2, 2015, the band announced that guitarist Quinn Allman would be taking a temporary year of absence;
Justin Shekoski Justin Paul Hollis Shekoski (born June 11, 1983) is an American guitarist, songwriter, and vocalist, best known for being the former lead guitarist, songwriter, and backing vocalist of Saosin and the Used. He has cited guitarists John Petrucci an ...
of
Saosin Saosin ( or ) is an American rock band formed in 2003 in Orange County, California. The group originally consisted of Beau Burchell, Justin Shekoski, Zach Kennedy and Anthony Green. They released their debut EP, '' Translating the Name'', i ...
filled in Allman's role. Following this, the group went on a headlining UK tour with support from
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and
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. In April and May, the group went on a headlining US tour with support from Every Time I Die, Marmozets and
the Eeries The Eeries are an American rock band formed in 2012 with members from Fullerton, California; Munster, Indiana; Torrance, California, and the town of Schio near Venice, Italy. Their single "Cool Kid" charted at number 33 on the Alternative Songs ...
, before embarking on a co-headlining US tour with Chevelle later in May. In October, the band appeared at the Taste of Chaos festival.


Reception

At ''
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 ...
'', Evan Lucy rated the album three-and-a-half stars out of five, writing that "Whether the band's fanbase latches on to the politicism is yet to be seen, but these songs will sound great from the pit regardless." The album charted at number 14 on the ''Billboard'' 200 and number 1 on the Independent albums chart.


Track listing


Additional track information

The Used released 13 tracks from the ''Imaginary Enemy'' recording session. The only two b-sides released to date is "Money Monster" and "Red Heart", "Money Monster" which was released as a bonus track on the limited edition of the album. A hidden track titled "Red Heart" also appears at the end of the album.


Limited edition

A limited edition of 15,000 numbered copies will be made featuring deluxe artwork and a bonus track titled "Money Monster".


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 *
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 * Jeph Howard – bass * Dan Whitesides – drums ;Technical and production * John Feldmann – producer, mixing * Zakk Cervini – programming, additional mixing, engineering * Ago Teppand – programming, additional mixing, engineering * Kenny Carkeet – programming, additional mixing, engineering * Chris Qualls – additional engineering * James Clarke – additional engineering


Chart performance


Live debut of the songs


Release history


References


External links


''Imaginary Enemy''
at
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(streamed copy where licensed) {{Authority control 2014 albums Albums produced by John Feldmann The Used albums Hopeless Records albums