Customer Reviews

Modern Artillery

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

4 1/2 stars

OK.. this album is not as punk heavy as the "Roll On" album - it best resembles the work on there first self-titled album (which for me will always be the best). If you are expecting heavily alternative punk sounds, then this album may not do it for you. The band's sound in this album is definately different, but I think in a good way. This CD is a bit more mainstream (as indicated by the number of songs off this album they have topping the Aussie Net 50 chart on Triple J). I disagree with the reviewers whom state they have lost some of the instrumental prowess - if anything it is the exact opposite.

The sounds these three guys produce is incredible - and you only have to go to a live show to see how the crowd reacts to them (many in the US are seeing them for the first time).

Highlights for me
"End of the World"
"Jimmy"

rock on Living End..

The Living End's third album shows more maturity than their first two full length albums. Some history:
- The Living End (self titled): very punk/rockabilly/ska influenced album.
- Roll On: brings a bit more of the AC/DC feel into the mix, which yields great results.

... As for Mordern ARTillery, the album does not try to capture you all at once like the first two albums have. Instead, each song offers up a different twist to their sound, which leaves you very impressed. Chris Cheney's guitarwork and songwriting ability can again be seen.

Here is a quick rundown of the songs:
1. What Would You Do? - a quick little ditty, fun stuff
2. One Said to the Other - more of a ballad, slows the pace down for a little bit
3. Who's Gonna Save Us? - if any song hits the airwaves, I'll put my money on this one. Has a great beat, and the chorus is catchy.
4. End of the World - darkest song of the bunch, and one of my personal favorites. Feels like it could be on any of their three albums
5. Jimmy - slows down the pace of the album again (as I stated above), but they lyrics are impressive.
6. Tabloid Magazine - second song on the album that could get radio play. Very catchy stuff again.
7. In the End - slower ballad, very nice chorus and guitarwork
8. Maitland Street - second favorite song on the album. Slower than most songs at first, but it builds up as the song goes on. Great lyrics
9. Putting You Down - my least favorite song on the album, a slower ska influenced song
10. Short Notice - the band goes back to the quicker songs, and this gets you warmed up for the last few tracks. Works as a wake up song.
11. So What - the band's attempt at a country ballad. I usually hate country, but this song seems to work.
12. Rising up from the Ashes - if only this song were a bit longer, it might have been my favorite song by the band. very melodic. The band tosses in some oozin-aaahs (similar to how Bad Religion does it).
13. Hold Up - If you've heard the 'Roll On' album, this song is comparable to 'Uncle Harry'.
14. The Room - My FAVORITE song on the album. This 8 minute epic starts out almost as if it belongs on the Who's "Tommy" album, but it builds up and changes direction a few times. I would love to see this song live.

Overall - this Modern ARTillery probably isn't as fast paced as their first two albums, but it does not take away from the quality of the album. Early favorite for top 10 album of the year.

I love the Living End. I've seen them three times. One time on the Warped Tour, the next year my band PLAYED with them on the Warped Tour, and a third time when they toured with Green Day. Every time, they put on the most intense, amazing live show. Their albums are no different...simply amazing. I thought that nothing could touch "Roll On." Apparently I was wrong...

So I'm chilling in Japan right now, on tour with my band Mastro3 (http://www.pocketface.com/mastro3) and my friend gives me a copy of the new Living End (not available in the U.S.). Simply put, I can't take it out of my cd player. It is, without a doubt, the best rock album I've heard this year! Truly amazing!!! Quite a bit softer than their previous releases...but much more musical. A true sign of maturity, LE knows that less is more...and they prove it on this album. Trust me (and all of the other reviews), LE has made a BRILLIANT album. Buy it now!!!! I'm not satisfied with a copy...I'm buying the actual record as it will become a cherished addition to my cd collection. Enjoy!!!

The new album came out in Australia today. With 'Modern Artillery', The Living End find themselves in a remarkably similar position to when their debut was released in 1998. Seeking to regain ground inexplicably lost with 2000's awesome 'Roll On', 4 of the first 6 tracks are already familiar to an Aussie audience, through singles and live performances. 'What Would You Do' opens the album, in its re-recorded form, resulting in a far fuller sound for the duration of its 87 seconds. Elsewhere, 'Who's Gonna Save Us', 'Tabloid Magazine' and 'One Said to the Other' present the fists in the air rockabilly we've come to expect from these guys. The biggest surprise is the 14th and final track, The Room. Unlike anything the band have ever done before, it's an 8 minute epic about a prisoner who can't readjust to life on the outside. At times it reminds me of Dire Straits, Midnight Oil and The Clash, whilst never sounding unlike the Living End. I think it's the best song they've ever committed to disc. All in all, this is a wonderful album. Whether or not it has the longevity of their eponymous debut remains to be seen, but at the moment it sounds like the best work they've ever done.

The Living End - Modern ARTillery.

The Living End are one of the best bands I have heard in a long time. I am proud to be living in the same country as these guys. Their music is a mix of fast-paced, loud and exciting rock, to slower, more melodic ballads. Who would've thought that lead singer Chris Cheney could come back with this brilliant album after being involved in a near-fatal car crash? Now with a bigger and better drummer, Andy Strachan, and Scott Owen providing some of the best bass around, The Living End have hit back with one of the best albums around.

Here is my rundown on the tracks and how I rate them.

1. What Would You Do?
The first song, and it only goes for a minute and a half. A very fast-paced song, and very catchy. Scott Owen wrote this song, and this is an excellent way to begin the album.
10/10

2. Tabloid Magazine
The third single, and easily one of the catchiest. I love the guitar in this song.
10/10

3. Who's Gonna Save Us?
The second single. This song has the best bridge on the album in my opinion, plus the video that goes with it (the US version) is brilliant. An anti-war song with a rock edge. Excellent.
10/10

4. End Of The World
I like this song, but not as much as the others. A very fast and edgy song, with excellent verses, especially second verse
"It could occur anyday son
Just you remember and pray
You have what you love, now love what you have
And maybe then you will last a bit longer"
Very rocking, but not a favourite.
8/10

5. Jimmy
This would have to be my favourite track on the album. The guitar in this song is excellent, and the lyrics are even better. Very catchy and no matter how many times you listen to it, it can never get old.
10/10

6. One Said To The Other
The first single from the album. Sounded different as a single than it did on the album, but that's nothing too special. This is a very catchy song, with a very rocking bridge. Excellent video to accompany it as well. All in all, a great song, but I've grown to love it less 'cause it got old.
9/10

7. In The End
I didn't like this song when I first heard it... I guess I was just too lazy to see how much I really love this song, now that it's grown on me. Such a melodic song, with an excellent chorus and brilliant guitaring.
10/10

8. Maitland Street
This is a pretty good song. Again, not the best song, but excellent. The chorus is the thing that immediately got me liking this song. A very moving track.
9/10

9. Putting You Down
This has the best guitaring by Chris on the album. A slow song, and a pretty good one at that.
9/10

10. Short Notice
A fun song. This would be the Don't Shut The Gate of Modern ARTillery. Very fast track, but not as quick as What Would You Do?
9/10

11. So What
I love this song. I think this follows on a little from Short Notice, but it's still one of my favourite songs off the album.
10/10

12. Rising Up From The Ashes
Chris was right. Not even a car crash could keep him from coming back. This song is very good. A stand-out from other songs.
10/10

13. Hold Up
A fast paced song. This is Uncle Harry for Modern ARTillery. Pretty good, but I don't like it that much.
8/10

14. The Room
Everyone loves this song. I agree. Goes for 8 minutes, but takes you on one hell of a journey on the way. No doubt one of the best songs that The Living End will ever release.
10/10

So all in all, this is a brilliant album. Don't hesitate to purchase it. You won't be disappointed.

I've had this cd for a bit now and thought I should share my thoughts about it. I first saw this band open for Green Day at a theatre in Chicago. From then on I was hooked. Roll On is still one of my favorite cds I own. I was very excited when I got this cd, anticipating what catchy new songs would be on it. It was really a let down for me. There seemed something different about it to me. One of the main reasons I liked the first roll on so much was the vocals were so different of what we normally hear on the radio. The accents make the music sound I don't know, better. This cd was such a let down because the vocals sound more American. This cd sounds like it was made by another garage band from California. Don't get me wrong, it's still a decent cd, but it sounds just like every other new punk music you hear.

It's pretty good, but for some of the songs, it felt like they were rushing to production, in that there were a lot of choices they could have made but didn't. But most of the songs are good- although in many ways it just doesn't measure up to the hardcoreness (for lack of a better word) of their other cd's. Hey- what happened to Chris's kickass solos? Anyway- one of these reviews said that it lost some rockability. This is partly true. Some of the songs aren't so rockable, but many are. So, not their best cd, but it's worth it (especially used).
Peace.
P.S.- good songs: End of the World, Jimmy, One Said to the Other (sort of), Tabloid Magazine, et al.
P.S.2- don't download. be honorable. buy the songs if you like them.
P.S.3- incidentally, most of the good songs i listed are the ones that are more like their other songs.

This album is excellent, though not as raunchy as the past two fill length records (self-titled, and Roll On). It shows just how much the Living End can grow and still flex every inch of their musical muscle. I'm not great at writing reviews, but trust me, this is music unlike any other.

You're never going to like anything if you continually compare other things. Everything is awesome in its own way, and this Album is amazing in every way. The Living End have truly matured into their true form with the release of Modern ARTillery. This album is one of their best, but then again, every album they have RELEASED is one of their best. From the quick tune 'what would you do?' to the amazing balad 'the room', this album ceases to amaze and grab the listener's attention.
The only negative is that TLE is touring with the Vines and Jet, and then with No Doubt and Blink 182 in the US, so we aren't going to get to see much of them. :(

All in all an excellent album, I encourage anyone who APPRECIATES music to go buy this immediately.

Ok first off I just have to say the Living End is one of the best bands out there right now...Or ever! This CD is just an unbelievable album. I honestly didn't think they could make something as good as roll on. But obviously I'm a complete bafoon. This CD is about equal to the awsomeness of Roll On. They have songs that sound like songs that could have been on Roll On and songs just like there old stuff. Honestly its worth the extra money if you buy the import(for the americans).GET IT IF YOU LOVE THE LIVING END!!!