LOVE LUST FAITH + DREAMS

I love 30 Seconds to Mars, & have all their CDs. Their new CD didn't totally shock me when I only heard one song w/ backing & rhythm guitar (Conquistador) & 11 tracks all synthesizer & percussion backed. Jared Leto has been moving towards synthetic sounds since This is War & past bands like Foreigner broke up because Mick Jones (the main song writer & leader of the group) wanted to take the band the electronic route w/ songs like "I Wanna Know What Love Is", "Urgent", "Break it Up", & "Goodbye Yesterday". Whereas, Lou Gramm insisted & fought to keep the band in guitars like w/ "Double Vision", "Dirty White Boy", & "Head Games". Still all 12 tracks on Love, Lust, Faith, & Dreams are excellent, dramatic, multilayered polyphonic songs, w/ two and a half that have no lyric. This CD feels influenced by Eastern tradition & Indian culture & feel, despite its pounding, pulsating beats, deep synthetic bass (& guitar bass, too). It seems like 30 Seconds really wanted some dj to convert their tunes on this CD to club mixes. Many of the songs are easily sent into this techno genre like the initial release, "Up in the Air", but the same could be done to "Northern Lights", Big Lights", & "Do or Die". Regardless, I love every song on all 4 of 30 Seconds' CDs. Jared Leto is really talented & his brother Shannon, is a really untraditional, eclectic, sometimes surprisingly subdued in his drum accompaniment. Like his almost nonexistent drums in the 1 song he contributed to the CD: "Convergence", which is an instrumental. Shannon's rolling, surreal, patterned beats are so in tune w/ the music Jared is creating & in most cases playing all or most of the non percussion instruments. If I had to say anything derogatory about 30 Seconds to Mars it would be w/ Jared Leto's lyrics, which on all his albums seem to include units of distance: "100 Suns", "93 Million Miles", "Year Zero". & Jared never writes a love song, a happy love song. He's the awesome king of writing hateful, bitter, condescending, screw you lady lyrics like "The Kill". I've come to love this about him, but there's one song on Love, Lust... that is happyish... "City of Angels". The song commemorates his teenage rebellion & being lost but becoming a success thanks to the "comfort of strangers". I have been to LA., people generally run from you if you say hello, but Jared finds all the good (money, acting, band) in one of the most desperate cities in the world. For what seems to many as desperation & downtrodden, Jared confirms as pertinent, transcendent victories. Wish all life worked that way. One last observation, Jared quit writing melodies that were at the very apex of his vocal register, namely the screaming, screeching he does on A Beautiful Lie & This is War, but not so much on their freshman self titled CD. Lots of thumping & jumping on this CD. You can't go wrong here. Every song is masterful & reflective.

30 Seconds to Mars has given us a new album that is one of the best I have ever heard. It fits perfectly in progression from their first three albums. I truly believe there is nothing they cannot do.Was nervous waiting to hear this album didn't think anything could compare to to A Beautiful lie then This is war came and now LLF&D has proved that they can,and do - constantly make great music. Starting with the song Birth - which I wish was longer - you know this album is spectacular.Conquistador is one of rocks best - yes Jared Leto is the best and more - vocalist, lyricist etc... - his passion for their music reaches into my soul and brings out so many emotions it is overwhelming at times. Up in the Air is fun and energetic and makes you dance.City of Angels is a tribute to LA, their home town and the lyrics are powerful.End of All Days is my not only my favorite song on the album it is also one of my favorite songs ever. The passion in Jared's voice envelops you and makes you want abandon what you are doing and follow this band anywhere.The Race, Do or Die , Bright Lights are all well written and emotionally charged sons. Pyres of Varanasi, Convergence and Depuis Debut are unique and add a very special feeling to this album.Love the music box ending in Depuis - Am so excited to share this album with my friends I have bought the LP - 8 CD'S - 1 for both cars - 1 for home - 5 for friends and 1 download for my daughter. Everyone of them has loved it. They cannot wait for Mars to tour USA- they will come with me to the concerts!

I've been seeing a lot of mixed reviews mostly regarding the bands move to using synthesizers and ditching some guitar work, a common move in this new technology/electronic age growing rapidly throughout the world. I find this record to be quite a gem in Thirty Seconds to Mars' discography mainly because each record has its own identity and this one's is the most unique and creative in my opinion. While I love their first two records, both of them have such common elements of alternative rock and post-grunge while their last two records blend so many awesome genres that the music just speaks for itself regarding how awesome and creative it is. I personally the love the record, I wouldn't change a thing about it. I do not call those who have been long time fans 'traitors' if they don't particularly like the album because it is certainly a departure from their previous endeavors. I do however believe that people should keep an open mind and honestly they should just appreciate the music and what it means not only to themselves but to other people. Mow back to the record, I will now proceed by conducting a song by song review with a few words describing why the rate the song that appropriate rating. Enjoy. 1. "Birth" 9/10 - It's a strong opening, something that pumps up the listeners, prepares them for the excitement that proceeds after the brief introduction. I love the brass section, so strong, powerful, great opener. 2. "Conquistador" 9/10 - One of the more rock oriented songs on the record, great riff, great lyrics, terrific vocals. One thing I've always loved about 3STM is Jared's strong vocals and powerful delivery. This record in my opinion properly projects Jared's magnificent voice. 3. "Up in the Air" 10/10 - It took me a couple tries to like this song when it was first released as a single because I wasn't used to the electronic 3STM. Once again, the vocals are very powerful and the lyrics are inspiring. The guitar riff is incredibly catchy but my favorite part is the breakdown with the pounding drums, it's the little things on this record that I enjoy so much. Overall, one of the best songs on the record, it really grew on me and I consider it a masterpiece. 4. "City of Angels" 10/10 - My god, what a song, the lyrics are beyond jaw-dropping, the little piano flurries are just beautiful. Another reason I love 3STM is their use of multiple instruments, choirs, orchestras, it's just a great blend and it works so well, especially on this song. I cannot describe how beautiful the second verse is with Jared's dual recorded vocals, the lyrics, did I talk about those yet, absolutely wonderful. 5. "The Race" 9/10 - Great song, violin riff is an original way to start a song, the lyrics are of course beautiful. It took me a while to get into the chorus, I just found it a little strange but it has grown on me and I truly enjoy this song. The addition of the guitar later in the song is nice to hear but by this point in the record, I have begun appreciating their new musical approach, very inspiring, very unique. 6. "End of All Days" 9/10 - Very gospel like song, Jared's vocals are amazing, the pianos are lovely, this is a true ballad with soul. I really hear Queen blended with Muse in this song, it's very beautiful. I haven't much to say about this song when it comes to particulars mainly because it's just a tremendous progressive electronic song without highlights within the song. 7. "Pyres of Varanasi" 10/10 - I love this! An instrumental with a beat and soul. The violin riff is so catchy, the synths are energetic, the orchestra is strong (sounds like Inception score), great backbone, great employment of obscure instruments and vocal sounds, great song! 8. "Bright Lights" 10/10 - The lyrics are the real highlight of this song, beautiful expression of words behind some great synth effects and a catchy beat. It's one of those songs that you're not sure if your going to like which was my impression when I first listened to it. I fell love after a couple listens though, it's a grandiose, powerful song, love it! One of the highlights. 9. "Do or Die" 11/10 - This is a song that has been receiving acclaim from most of fans and hell yes I'm going to jump on the bandwagon. This song is energetic, powerful, catchy, there isn't a reason to love it. This is Thirty Seconds to Mars at there best, when everything melds and converges beautifully. One of the highlights, the second best song on the record in my opinion. 10. "Convergence" 9/10 - I like it, wasn't sure if I liked it for a while. The xylophone gets a little irritating but I grew to love it along with the continuing progression of instruments joining the beat. Shannon writes great instrumentals, I wish there was a little more action but I appreciate the progressive nature and the beauty behind the instruments. 11. "Northern Lights" 12/10 - The absolute best song on the record, from the strange opening riff, to the pulsing bass drum beat, to the attractive synths to the incredibly awesome chorus with the raging vocals. The lyrics are awesome, the vocals are loud, proud, and so strong. This song has everything to me, I love it! 12. "Depuis Le Debut" 9/10 - Kind of like 100 Suns except much better in my opinion, it's a pretty song but not exactly the way I would of ended the record. The lyrics sum it up nicely but I would of either liked this song to be a full song or a song to precede this one. The synth riff though is very catchy and the orchestra is very 'a propos' to sum up the feel of the record. It's the end of an incredible journey. I cannot recommend this record enough, it's not often that I can say that I walked away from a record blown away by the originality. It's not as long as their previous effort nor close to has heavy as their first two records but it has its own voice, it's own purpose and I respect that. Buy it, download it, I don't care, just listen to it, give it a chance, walk in with an open mind and you won't be sorry.

I have been a fan of Thirty seconds to Mars for a long time. I first fell in love with them when I heard Echelon on The movie the Core and have been a fan since then. This release is much different than their very first album as others have stated. TStM always seem to be evolving and changing their style with every new album for the better in my opinion. I usually don't listen to I guess you would consider this "pop rock" but thirty seconds to mars adds their unique talent and sound to every song and for some reason I really enjoy it. I think that is why I enjoy it so much, it is very different than what I am used to listening to. I usually listen to hard rock/metal most of the time and I find much of that lately is sounding more and more of the same. It is getting harder and harder to distinguish this band from that band. Being unique and having your own sound is being tossed aside to try and sell more records. Now some of the reviewers are saying that is what TStM is doing here, but for me coming from a different genre this is a breath of fresh air. Sometimes change is good and sometimes it is bad, for me this album is a good thing. Some of my favorite songs: Conquistador, Up in the Air, The Race, End of Days, Do or Die and Northern Lights. The others are good, but those are the ones that I listen to the most. I also picked this up when it was 5 bucks on Amazon so that was a plus as well.

Never disappointed by a thirty seconds to nards cd . Incredible talented band !!

I say biased b/c I am a big 30str fan but I will def admit that this album is heavily-produced. As a reviewer notd accurately when This Is War came out: each album sounds completely different. This is very true. The odd duck on this album is easily 'Conquistador - sonically, it is the only song that has traditional guitar, bass, and drums. Lyrically, also with the chorus, it seems like a B-side from This Is War. IMHO, their strongest LP is A Beautiful Lie.....I like a little bit of screaming (see Breaking Benjamin & The Used) and it showcases Jared Leto as a very capable song-writer with a powerful set of pipes. Sonically, it is the perfect balance between programming/production and the traditional band structure. Their classification of style has changed over time: it started out as Space Rock/Progressive Rock to Experimental Rock. Experimental is fine but I think of other prog rock bands like Radiohead when I hear that term. As a reviewer has noted on this LP, it is more of a testament of the producer's than the band's prowess. However, it is undeniable that Jared Leto has a great set of vocals and it a tremendous song writer; which is why every 30stm LP resounds w/ me. I can't help but listen to this album and think: what are the other 2 doing? It's so synthetic sonically, that I debate their degree of input. Also, I've seen 30stm tour on every album and can only wonder 'how are they going to reproduce this on stage?'. I wonder that whenever I hear synthetic sounds from a traditional band. My favorite song changes every day: Do or Die I liked right away but right now I'm digging Bright Lights. Also, City of Angels is good but seems too contrived (see With or Without You by U2). As I said, I like this LP b/c I'm a big 30stm fan but it's not for everyone.....a more casual fan might give this a lower rating.

First Album: Hard rock with an industrial edge. Second Album: Hard rock with a hint of pop. Third Album: Pop Rock. This Album: Pop with hints of rock music. There is nothing wrong with this album. But I am a hard rock and industrial enthusiast, and this album barely shows a hint of the roots that drew me to them with their early stuff. When I hear it I definitely recognize it as them - their sound is still very distinct. But they have made a very big deal with this and the last album about working with big-name producers and I think they've let the sound of those producers take them too far into a very generic direction. I'd rate this 2.5 stars if it let me - it is well crafted but not made for me, and if you were concerned about the direction they took with their third album this one is even further down that road than before.

This is a great album by a great band. Pyres Of Varanasi is my favorite: recorded in India, a great homage to those who have been cremated in Varanasi. Then you get the personal, raw feelings from Jared in City of Angels, telling his epic story and how he and Shannon got to where they are. It's no doubt taht Jared, Shannon, and Tomo always put out great music for their Echelon family and I am proud to be part of the Echelon.

Another masterpiece of 30STM.

Ho iniziato molto tardi ad ascoltare i 30 seconds to mars perche e' un genere molto particolare. Oltre a i'll attack, from yesterday e the kill non conoscevo altro. Con l'album this is war mi hanno conquistato. Questo non e' all'altezza del precedente ma comunque bellissimo!

Favourite band, so happy to get my hands on the vinyl - I love it!

Fazit während des zweiten Anhörens (Achtung kann Spoiler enthalten) Nachdem "This Is War" ein absolutes Meisterwerk der Band war, ist der Druckt natürlich groß. Die erste Single "Up in the Air" konnte eine Veränderung vorausahnen, die man bereits bei anderen kommerziell erfolgreichen Bands, wie Linkin Park erkennen konnte. Es waren deutlich mehr computererzeugte Töne zu hören, der Bass spielte eine größere Rolle. Von "This is War" war nicht mehr viel übrig. Diese große Veränderung blieb jedoch aus, dass Album erinnert immer noch stark an frühere Zeiten. Ohne das Album zu hören, fällt auf, dass wieder 12 Stücke anspielbar sind, diese aber deutlich kürzer ausfallen, als noch beim vorherigen Album. "Birth" bietet eine fantastische Einleitung in das Album, es erinnert an "Escape". Wobei diesmal viel gewaltigere Töne zu hören sind. Danach folgen "Conquistador" und "Up in the Air", die jeweils schon vorab zu hören waren und mit "Do Or Die" die wohl schnellsten und rocklastigsten Lieder sind. "City of Angels" fängt typisch an, kein Jared Leto, dafür sehr schöne und melodische Töne, dominiert von den Drum Tönen. Ab ca. der ersten Minute beginnt Jared zu singen, die folgende Synthese aus Gesang und den Schlag- zeug dominierten Töne erinnert stark an früher und macht Spaß zuzuhören, das Lied steigert sich, immer mehr Töne und Instrumente sind zu hören und endet, mars typisch, wieder langsamer, die Töne werden leiser, bis der Gesang fast komplett im Vordergrund steht, während noch die letzten Gitarren und Klavier Töne zu hören sind. "The Race" folgt. Hier steht erst Jareds Stimme im Vordergrund, während die Hintergrundtöne immer lauter werden. Im Refrain vereint dann alles mit den typischen Chören, die Jared anscheinend wirklich sehr liebt, denn auch in diesem Album wurde dieses Element vielfach eingesetzt. und das geniale ist, dass diese so perfekt eingesetzt, dass sie immer passen und nie langweilig werden. Nach dem zweiten Refrain, dominiert dann der Gittarenklang, die Stimme setzt wieder ein, im Hintergrund schnelle Streicher. Dann kommt der Chor und das Schlagzeug dazu und ersetzten die Streicher. Es endet mit den Streichern. "End of all days" fängt mit wenigen Klaviertönen an, Jared setzt ein und singt teilweise nur auf dem Echo der einzelnen, dunklen Klaviertönen. Im Refrain setzt dann das Schlagzeug leicht an, es bleibt ein sehr träger und langsamer Song (nicht negativ gemeint). Die zweite Strophe ist ähnlich der ersten, die Töne kann man oft auch gar nicht richtig identifizieren. Der Song folgt keiner gewöhnlichen Struktur, es folgt ein Break, dann wieder ein Refrain, dann wieder ein Break, die Atmosphäre wird dadurch bestärkt. "Pyres Of Varanasi" ist fast ein kompletter Instrumental Song. Getragen von Streichern, setzt dann der heftige Bass ein, diese Kombination erinnert sehr stark an Filmmusik und ist großartig. mars typisch wird dieser Sound immer gewaltiger und größer, eine Stimme setzt ein, erinnert sehr stark an orientalische Musik. "Bright Lights" ist wieder dominiert von Jareds wahnsinner Stimme, nicht schnell, nicht langsam, eben einfach Mars, teilweise werden nur einzelne Wörter in den Raum geworfen, im Hintergrund das Schlagzeug, Klavier und oftmals undefinierbarer Sound. Der Break nach dem zweiten Song ist wahnsinnig schön : "Time to live, time to love". Jared singt ohne Hintergrundmusik, Gänsehaut. Der Refrain setzt wieder ein, es wird größere, zwei Stimmlagen überschneiden sich, die Atmosphäre ist großartig. Wie Mars es mag, werden die Instrumente immer leise und die Stimme bleibt. "Dor Or Die" fängt an mit einem japischen ? Satz, gesprochen von einer Frau. Es geht relativ schnell zur Sachen, schnelle Töne vom dominierenden Schlagzeug, später dann wieder Streicher. Ein schneller Song, der Lust auf Tanzen macht. Nach dem Break wird es kurz ein bisschen langsamer, dann wieder schneller, es endet wieder in zwei überlappende Stimmspuren, später dann Chöre + Jared. "Convegence", geschrieben von Shannaon Leto ist dominiert von einem Xylophon, wenn ich das richtig höre. "Northern Lights" hat einen ganz eigenen Sound, kaum zu beschreiben. Bläser spielen in dem Break eine dominierende Rolle, hier ist es ein gemeinsames Spiel zwischen Jareds Stimme und großen Tönen der Musik. Wie so oft, gibt es ruhige und schnellere Phasen in dem Lied, viele Instrumente, großartige Stimme. Alles was ein Mars Lied braucht, Chöre jedoch waren für mich nach zweimaligem Anhören nicht zu hören "Depuis Le Debut" fängt mit Jareds Stimme plus dem Sound einer Akustik Gitarre an, ich habe so sehr auf einen schönen Akustik Song gehofft. Jedoch fängt 0:50 Bassartige Geräusche an, Streicher fangen an zu spielen, immer schneller, immer mehr und große Töne sind zu hören, dann Break. Die Geräusche eines Kinderspielzeugs erklingen. Kunst. Das Album ist unterteilt in die vier "Kapitel" Love, Lust, Faith + Dreams und jeder Song gehört ein Kapitel an, eine wunderbare Idee. Fazit: Insgesamt gibt es viele Unterschiede und Gemeinsamkeiten zu "This Is War". Weniger Chöre, mehr Streicher, kürzere Songs, zwei, fast reine, Instrumental Songs. Aber der eigentliche, unique mars sound ist in seinen Strukturen gleich geblieben, die Jungs vereinen Chöre, Bläser, Streicher, Schlagzeug und gefühlte tausend andere Sounds mit der einzigartigen Stimme Jareds zu einem Meisterwerk. Es herrscht wieder eine großartige Atmosphäre, mit weniger Krieg, dafür umso mehr Emotionen. Die Texte drehen sich, soweit ich es hören konnte, wieder um Menschen, deren Emotionen und Gefühle usw. Auch das Album Cover zeigt, dass die Jungs mit wenig Mitteln und sehr minimalistisch große Kunst schaffen können. Vielleicht haben sich die Jungs zu wenig getraut, wirklich ein komplett anderes Album zu machen, vielleicht wollten sie auch eine Ähnlichkeit zu "This Is War" schaffen, auf jeden Fall fühlt sich das Album sehr gut an. Abstriche muss ich machen, weil die Spielzeit um einiges kürzer macht, ich weiß noch nicht so ganz, ob es die Atmosphäre ein bisschen zerstört, aber sie ist vielleicht nicht ganz so atemberaubend, wie bei "This Is War". Auch fehlen mir noch ein, zwei etwas schnellere Lieder, die gitarrenlastiger sind. Insgesamt reiht sich das vierte Album der drei Jungs wunderbar in deren Diskografie ein und wird sicherlich ein großer Erfolg. Es sei ihnen gegönnt. Ich danke für die wundervollen Minuten, die mir das Album noch schenken wird, die Inspiration, für die großartige Atmosphäre und die Kunst. 8/10 Punkten

Cuando empezo haber criticas de este album, no tenian sentido, si nos adentramos de principio a fin completo de cada album de 30STM nos podemos percatar que el nuevo sonido de LLF+D siempre estuvo ahí. El arte del album es sin duda sencillo pero grandioso ya que deja a la especulacion de que trata el envolvimiento del disco. Un sonido increible con canciones diferentes en muchas formas sin duda es un gran disco.