30 Seconds to Mars:  A Beautiful Lie
September 2,  2005
By: Kristy Weick
B+
The Music Edge

Fans of 30 Seconds To Mars have waited almost three years to receive the gift of a new album. They have also been teased with the first single, “Attack,” which has been playing on the band’s Web site for months now, with very little information about the new album other than its title: A Beautiful Lie. The first, self-titled album was excellent, and 30 Seconds To Mars did its best to continue in that tradition.

A Beautiful Lie is successful in that it stays in a vein similar to 30 Seconds to Mars, but also that it veers in its own new direction. “Attack” is an awesome, suck-you-in, high-energy track. It is the perfect radio single and the best song on the album. You need only to hear the programming riff, which opens the song, to know that the song to follow will blow you away. Jared Leto's voice is emotional and powerful, but also whispers delicately at times.

Credit must be given to Leto since he is not only the singer, but also the main songwriter and guitar player. His song-writing skills are up there with the best of them in rock music today, partially because he makes it easy to sing along with him over the band's fairly complex music. 30 Seconds To Mars' sophomore record is unfortunately more sterile than the first. While there is nothing inherently wrong with A Beautiful Lie, something seems to be missing that is hard to put a finger on. The production is flatter, and even though the band is dabbling in things like acoustic guitars, fans might not become immersed as deeply in this album as they were able to with the first record.

Leto's brother, Shannon, plays drums with vigor and mechanical precision, proving that musical talent runs in the family. Rounding out the lineup is Tomo Milicevic on guitars, and Matt Wachter on bass.

If you are new to 30 Seconds To Mars, Leto's voice and thick production are hard to escape upon the first listen. The lyrics are vague but poetic, and they sound beautiful with layers of harmonizing voices. He calls out to you, asking you to listen to his story, but in the end, he gives away nothing, leaving you only to speculate. Powerful, in-your-face guitars fill every nook and cranny of your mind, but also allow you to come up for air here and there, if necessary.

Knowing what 30 Seconds To Mars is capable of, its first record being one of the best albums I have heard, I naturally hold the band to high standards. But I also know what a difference a producer can make to the overall sound of an album. Overall, A Beautiful Lie is the perfect way to expand your musical tastes, so open wide.