USED

This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files. The Used: Quinn Allman (vocals, guitar); Jeph Howard (vocals, bass); Branden Steineckert (vocals, drums); Bert McCracken (vocals). Additional personnel: Carmen Daye (background vocals). Recorded at Foxy Studios, Marina Del Rey, California and Olympic Studios, London, England. Personnel: Quinn Allman (vocals, guitar); Branden Steineckert (vocals, drums); Joe Howard, Jeph Howard, Bert McCracken (vocals); Carmen Daye, John Feldmann (background vocals). Audio Mixer: John Feldmann. Recording information: Foxy Studios, Marina Del Rey, CA; Olympic Studios, London, England. Illustrator: Gina Keeler. Photographer: P.R. Brown. Although much is made of this Utah foursome's rebellious background (singer Bert McCracken's former drug addiction and the band's pre-record deal pan-handling street-kid lifestyle), all that's really required to ascertain the level of the band's commitment is a close listen to their self-titled debut release. They leap into each song as though their lives depended upon it (maybe they're not so anxious to go back to spare-changing). While they are initially presented as another entrant in the aggro-rock sweepstakes, there's a bit more than that to the Used. Sure, McCracken can let out blood-curdling screams of angst with the best of them, and there's no shortage of blazing guitars and pounding drums, but the Used seem to have spent at least as much time listening to Jane's Addiction as they have to the Deftones. The band's range is made most clear by the acoustic-guitar-and-strings ballad "On My Own" and the melodic piano motif at the end of the closing song "Pieces Mended."