It’s been a mammoth journey for The Used. A career spanning fifteen years under their belt and showing no signs of stopping, they’re one of the few emo bands of the early noughties that have not only stuck around a while, but got even better in the process. If you’ve seen a live show of theirs recently you’ll know that Bert McCracken is a captivating, inspiring front man.
To celebrate their success and their 15th anniversary, the band have released the new ‘Live And Acoustic At The Palace’ CD/DVD album, recorded at The Palace Theatre in Los Angeles, and it’s a different take on some of our old and most loved favourites.
To rapturous applause, opener ‘Tunnel’ is spattered with cheers from the crowd. From 2008’s ‘Shallow Believer’ EP, it’s not an instant winner but is an easy listen before the high-intensity of ‘Taste Of Ink’. The band’s best known song, McCracken introduces the track, describing himself as “blessed” and welcoming the other band members. It’s a nice touch to introduce them early on instead of waiting for the usual encore slot and brings the homely feel of the show, well, home.
Each song receives plenty of adoration from the audience; it’s just a shame the less-than-perfect vocals of a couple of them have been picked up on the microphone. Some special moments are provided by their singalongs, however, and it’s clear how important these songs are to so many people as the spine-tingling crowd vocals take over.
Heavier songs ‘Lunacy Fringe’ and ‘The Bird and The Worm’ lose some of their noise and intensity in an acoustic setting, but all of the angst and rebellion remains. Dedicating the latter to freedom in Palestine, it seems like a misplaced sentiment much like the cover of ‘Imagine’ but their heart’s in the right place.
The real stars of the show are unexpected. Subtle and understated, ‘Hard To Say’ and ‘Blue and Yellow’ are heartbreaking: a real nod back to days when emo was at its peak and a sense of overwhelming nostalgia. ‘On My Own’ treads that fine line between uplifting and hopeful and sad, with lyrics like, “knowing nothing is better than knowing it all,” taking on a new meaning in an age of social media and oversharing.
Extended with a dramatic string section, racing drums, and Bert absolutely belting out the final lyrics, the outro rounds off a live album that makes you feel as though you’re experiencing the show for real. Grateful and charming throughout, McCracken leads the band through a strong performance and we’re hoping the album isn’t just a summary of their past career, but a sign of great things to come.
KATHRYN BLACK