30 Seconds to Mars (Virgin Records)
By:  Jay Donovan
September 12,  2005
Randomville
4/5
Credit:  Aitana

The freshman effort by 30StM in 2002, their self-titled debut, was so far ahead of other bands just coming out of the gate in regards to maturity in the song-writing and the execution of the intense musicianship. The subject matter of love, lies and joy all wrapped in overtones of the outer reaches of space, the stars and the planets was such a refreshing way to listen to the typical themes of angst-music. 30StM accomplished their message in fervent guitar work, precise synthesizer and driving percussion. Just as refreshing is the discovery that this young band is able to pull off an equally exciting sophomore record in A Beautiful Lie.

The first track “Attack” opens with a synthesizer riff that almost warns of a fledgling band that lost their way from the stages of rock to the chasm of synth-pop limbo, but that feeling is quickly lost when the guitars and vocals begin simultaneously. Lead singer Jared Leto continues his impressive ability to craft lyrics that convey a true desire to connect with the heart of the listener. The title track plays as a small four-minute opera of wanting to remain in the comforting situation of what one knows, no matter the cons of that path of choice. “The Kill” explains of an individual ready to break free of everything that plagued their life, but in the end can only inwardly beg to be set free. The lyrics shout out from the mind, not from the mouth, as most of us can only do in today’s society of confined repression. Leto doesn’t sing this as a man telling a story, but as one of us who cannot bring his thoughts to the open. “The Fantasy” is another example of how 30StM can take a moderate tempo and, in a heartbeat, set your mind and soul racing along the same wave that they felt when playing through the song in the studio. That’s what 30StM does best and, sometimes, better than many bands out there. They pull you in. “Do you live/ do you die/ do you bleed/ for the fantasy” set alongside a trampling backbeat and fiery guitar work sets the imagination to focus on what you truly want to do with your life, and why you haven’t done it yet.

30StM does something I truly admire, and that’s that they don’t pull back the presence of the music simply because the front man is speaking at the time. Leto does a humble job of making sure his voice doesn’t ring out above the music, but instead, is part of it. In “Savior,” Leto does the most screaming out of any other song. What he does well above most other singers dying to be heard is when he screams; you can hear every little word he says. He doesn’t scream at the end of sentences or simply belts out a “hell yeah” between the bridge and solo. He screams when the song and tempo and feel dictate him to do so, and when he does, his message doesn’t get lost in the noise a typical singer tries to push out of their throat.

By far the best track on this album is track 10, “A Modern Myth.” Starting off with an uncharacteristic acoustic rhythm, Leto keeps the short lines of lyrics vague enough for this song to apply itself to a number of different people in a number of different crucial situations. The addition of classical strings to help evoke the sad feelings of finality was a superb touch to an already emotionally laced song that lasts just under three minutes. Leto’s scream during the last stanzas of “goodbye” sound like he’s saying goodbye to everyone and everything that was ever important to him in his life, and its easy to make his scream your own when reflecting on your own life’s trials.

To buy the truth and sell the lie / the last mistake before you die So don’t forget to breathe tonight / tonight’s the last to say goodbye The secret is out / the secret is out Goodbye…goodbye…goodbye…goodbye…!

It is this writer’s hope that his lyrics aren’t referring to abandoning his musical career in favor of his already established movie career, as Jared plays a role with Nick Cage in this Fall’s Lord of War (and previously in Panic Room with Jodie Foster). Hollywood could do without his presence, but music and music listeners are treated very well in the hands of 30StM.