The Used Sound Off From a "Vulnerable" Place

Oh to be inside the twisted mind of The Used's lead singer Bert McCracken. All that pent up fury wadded up and then foisted upon the record-buying public in a sonic ball of jugular vein rock. "Vulnerable provides both the uninitiated and stalwarts alike a macabre tour into the Orem, Utah four-piece's warped psyche. "I Come Alive" shows off the band's penchant for creating an overall sound that wouldn't sound out of place piped in through the speakers of a carnival fun house. Not that Bert's incapable of using his nervous energy to generate uplifting results. "Shine" features some nifty, exuberant guitar strumming from Quinn Allman. Bert explodes with eagerness here as he shouts to the world about how this is his time, his chance to leave a lasting mark on the planet. "Burning Bright" is more deliberate in pace but no less compelling. It speaks to the old story about how there's strength in numbers. Alone Bert and his she thang don't amount to much but together their life force is unquestioned. It's drummer Dan Whitesides' turn to cut loose during "Machine". His insane asylum patient sorcery is a perfect fit for Bert's impish demons. Make sure you've got someone dear close by as you listen to this unrelenting package. Bert is nothing if not driven. Mad genius does that to a boy. "Vulnerable" showcases The Used's talent for rolling around on the streets of Crazyville. This is a breathtaking case study.