Music Review: 30 Seconds to Mars' “This is War”

By our guest blogger, Allie Farb

30 Seconds to Mars has never been a band to fit into any kind of mold musically, or visually for that matter. Hit singles such as “The Kill” and “From Yesterday” brought them into the spot light a few years ago. Their videos and the artistic nature of 30 Seconds to Mars as a whole, made them an incredible and prominent band.

Front man Jared Leto has stated that since their recording process began, 30 Seconds to Mars has written an astonishing 120 songs for this album alone. “This is War” was narrowed down to 13 breathtaking tracks.

The first single released off “This is War” is called “This is War.” It's a powerful song, so much so that it makes you feel as if you can overcome anything. In the middle of the song, the beat slows, the guitars become quieter and the sound of a snare drum rises as Leto starts to almost speak the words.

There's so much to appreciate on "This is War," I feel as if I could go on forever describing to you every detail of every song (for your sake, I won't). It is filled with so much creativity and passion, you can feel each pouring out of every song.

The songs I recommend are “Night of the Hunter,” “Kings and Queens” and, for those into slower songs, “Alibi.”  In the first verse of “Night of the Hunter,” a few lines stood out: “But I rise up above it, high up above it, and see I was hung from the tree made of tongues of the weak. The branches were bones of liars and thieves, rise up above it, high up above and see.” What I got out of this song was this--regardless of the negative forces surrounding you, you have the power inside you to be great.  You will prevail.

“Alibi” is one out of three slower songs on the album, and it features lines such as, “No one in sight, no alibi, we're fading faster than the speed of light, took our chance, crashed and burned, no we'll never, ever learn.” It's a song that can be directed at any kind of rough relationship. Whether it is a friend, a family member, a spouse, or a girlfriend/boyfriend, this song likely will relate in some way to you.

In the end, the album is full of positivity and life. If you are open to something new and something not jam-packed with catchy but meaningless hooks--creative substance is what's offered here--I recommend the album.  Before this album, I never was a huge fan of 30 Seconds to Mars, but "This is War" has my full support and it likely will be on repeat on my iPod for a while.