The Canyon (album)

Last updated

The Canyon
Thecanyontheused.jpg
Studio album by
The Used
ReleasedOctober 27, 2017 (2017-10-27)
Recorded2017
StudioStudio 606, Los Angeles, [1]
Valentine Recording Studios, North Hollywood, California [2]
Genre
Length78:58
Label Hopeless
Producer Ross Robinson
The Used chronology
Live & Acoustic at the Palace
(2016)		The Canyon
(2017)		 Heartwork
(2020)
Singles from The Canyon
  1. "Over and Over Again"
    Released: September 7, 2017 [5]
  2. "Rise Up Lights"
    Released: November 3, 2017
  3. "The Nexus"
    Released: May 2, 2018

The Canyon is the seventh studio album by American rock band the Used. The album was released as double album on October 27, 2017, through Hopeless Records [5] and is dedicated to Tregen, a friend of Bert McCracken, who shot himself in Provo Canyon after coming off his anti-depressants for about a week. [6] It is the only studio album to feature guitarist Justin Shekoski since Quinn Allman's departure in 2015. [5] It was highly acclaimed by critics and fans alike and appearing on many best-of-the-year lists, though it only peaked at 50 on the Billboard 200.

Contents

Background and production

On February 2, 2015, the band announced that guitarist Quinn Allman be on a temporary leave of absence for a year; Justin Shekoski of Saosin was brought in to fill Allman's role. [7] On November 19, the group officially parted ways with Allman and made Shekoski a full-time member. [8] Following this, the group went on tour to celebrate 15 years of being a band in April and May 2016. [9] Further dates were added extending it into June, [10] before a second leg in August and September was added. [11]

The Canyon is the group's first album to feature production from Ross Robinson. [5] Previous albums utilized John Feldmann (with the exception of Artwork , produced by Matt Squire). The album was recorded using analog equipment with no click-tracks or backing vocals to achieve a raw sound. [12] Some of the song titles reference David Foster Wallace, Syria and The Odyssey , among others. [13]

The Canyon is also the group's first and only studio album with guitarist Justin Shekoski. On Shekoski's addition to the band, in an interview with Billboard, lead singer Bert McCracken stated Shekoski's "lust for life and passion for art is inspiring. It's been a fire underneath The Used. It's a new chapter of a brand new book" and "since Justin became a part of the Used it's been nothing but exciting for the next step." [14] The band members were inspired following the live recording of Live and Acoustic at the Palace (2016), and wanted to reflect the live experience in their new album. [15]

Release

On September 7, 2017, The Canyon was announced for release the following month; alongside this, a music video was released for the first single, "Over and Over Again." [16] The music video was directed by Lisa Mann and included dance choreography with bright visuals. [16] In October and November 2017, the group went on a headlining US tour with support from Glassjaw. [17] A lyric video was released for "Rise Up Lights" on October 23, 2017. [18] The Canyon was released on October 27, 2017 through Hopeless Records. [17] A music video was released for "Rise Up Lights" on November 3, 2017 which also depicted interpretive dancing "seemingly meant for their avant-garde dystopian anthem." [19]

The group were due to go on a European tour in February 2018, [20] but the shows were postponed until August 2018 due to a "family death." [21]

Following this, the group went on a headlining US tour with support from Red Sun Rising and Fever 333 in April and May 2018. [22] On May 1, a music video was released for "The Nexus". [23] Directed by Lisa Mann, the video is a love story between two "identities battling for supremacy and independence only to be locked in patterned loops together throughout time told through experimental movement." [24] The band then performed on the Warped Tour in June and July. [22] The group also appeared at the Reading and Leeds Festivals in August 2018. [25]

Reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic 75/100 [26]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [27]
Alternative Press Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [28]
Drowned in Sound Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [29]
New NoiseStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [30]

The album received positive reception following its release, with Alternative Press claiming the album has "A vibrancy and vulnerability not felt since the Used's 2002 self-titled debut," and stating that the band's new guitarist Justin Shekoski "has breathed new life into the songwriting." [31] McCracken's delivery of the lyrics coupled with Shekoski's melodies and riffs, showed "The Used have fully realized their wild imagination" and critics noted "this collection of songs are more compelling and moving than anything heard previously from the band." [32]

The album appears in AllMusic's 2017 Year In Review: Favorite Punk Albums, [33] Alternative Press 's The 40 best albums of 2017, [34] Drowned in Sound 's Album of 2017: Staff edit [35] and Kerrang! 's Albums of 2017 lists. [36]

Track listing

Disc One
No.TitleLength
1."For You"4:35
2."Cold War Telescreen"4:41
3."Broken Windows"4:45
4."Rise Up Lights"3:28
5."Vertigo Cave"4:25
6."Pretty Picture"4:11
7."Funeral Post"5:19
8."Upper Falls"5:34
9."The Divine Absence (This Is Water)"5:00
Total length:41:58

All tracks are written by Justin Shekoski, Bert McCracken, Jeph Howard, Dan Whitesides

Disc Two
No.TitleLength
10."Selfies in Aleppo"4:33
11."Moving the Mountain (Odysseus Surrenders)"4:16
12."Over and Over Again"5:14
13."The Quiet War"4:11
14."Moon-Dream"4:45
15."The Nexus"4:41
16."About You (No Songs Left to Sing)"3:47
17."The Mouth of the Canyon"5:33
Total length:37:00

Live debut of the songs

SongVenueDateTourSource
About You (No Songs Left to Sing)SeaLegs Live at the Beach, Huntington Beach, California, U.S.August 9, 2017- [37]
For YouMasonic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, U.S.October 27, 2017The Canyon Tour [38]
Over and Over AgainMasonic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, U.S.October 27, 2017The Canyon Tour [38]
Rise Up LightsMasonic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, U.S.October 27, 2017The Canyon Tour [38]
The NexusUptown Theater, Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.October 31, 2017The Canyon Tour [39]
Selfies in AleppoStarland Ballroom, Sayreville, New Jersey, U.S.November 12, 2017The Canyon Tour [40]

Personnel

The Used

Additional personnel

Production

Charts

Chart (2017)Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA) [41] 69
US Billboard 200 [42] 50
US Top Alternative Albums (Billboard) [43] 6
US Top Hard Rock Albums (Billboard) [44] 3
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard) [45] 8

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Used</span> American rock band

The Used is an American rock band from Orem, Utah, formed in 2000. The group consists of vocalist Bert McCracken, bassist Jeph Howard, drummer Dan Whitesides, and guitarist Joey Bradford. Former members include Quinn Allman, Branden Steineckert, and Justin Shekoski.

<i>In Love and Death</i> 2004 studio album by the Used

In Love and Death is the second studio album by American rock band the Used. It was released on September 28, 2004, and was later certified platinum in the United States, indicating over 1,000,000 copies shipped. It is their most commercially successful album to date. The title and music reference a number of tragic events that surrounded vocalist Bert McCracken during the album's production, notably the death of his pregnant girlfriend. In Love and Death is the final studio album to feature drummer Branden Steineckert.

<i>The Used</i> (album) 2002 studio album by the Used

The Used is the debut studio album by American rock band The Used, released on June 25, 2002, through Reprise Records. The album has been certified platinum by the RIAA in 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Quinn Allman</span> American guitarist

Quinn Scott Allman is an American musician, best known as the guitarist, backing vocalist, and a founding member of the rock band The Used.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bert McCracken</span> American singer

Robert Edward McCracken is an American singer who is the lead vocalist and songwriter of the rock band the Used.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saosin</span> American rock band

Saosin is an American rock band formed in 2003 in Orange County, California. The group originally consisted of Beau Burchell, Justin Shekoski, Zach Kennedy and Anthony Green. Their debut EP, Translating the Name, was released in the same year. However, Green departed from the band for personal reasons, leading to Cove Reber joining as vocalist in 2004. With Reber, the band released their self-titled debut album in 2006 under Capitol Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Take It Away (The Used song)</span> 2004 single by the Used

"Take It Away" is the first single from the Used's second studio album In Love and Death. "Take It Away" was released to radio on August 31, 2004. This song, as well as video, was played during the commercials to promote the album.

<i>Still Searching</i> 2006 studio album by Senses Fail

Still Searching is the second studio album by American rock band Senses Fail, released October 10, 2006 through Vagrant Records. A month after the release of their debut studio album Let It Enfold You (2004), the band had enough material for their next album. Guitarist Heath Saraceno, formerly of Midtown replaced Dave Miller in late 2005. They spent the next several months writing more material and demoing songs. They recorded over six weeks from May 2006 with producer Brian McTernan at Bearsville Studios in Bearsville, New York. Still Searching is an emo, post-hardcore and screamo album, though it featured less screaming overall compared to past works. It is a concept album that follows a character dealing with faith, heartbreak and depression.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">All That I've Got (The Used song)</span> 2004 single by the Used

"All That I've Got" is a song by American rock band the Used, released as the second single from their second studio album, In Love and Death (2004), in December 2004. The song was dedicated to Bert McCracken's dog, David Bowie, who was hit by a truck during the making of the album. An acoustic version was later released on iTunes. It also appeared on the Saints Row 2 soundtrack.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Justin Shekoski</span> American guitarist and songwriter (born 1983)

Justin Paul Hollis Shekoski is an American guitarist, songwriter, and vocalist, best known for being the former lead guitarist, songwriter, and backing vocalist of Saosin and the Used. He has cited guitarists John Petrucci and Paul Gilbert as some of his main inspirations. Shekoski is also known for his guitar playing style onstage, including "guitar spins," which involves spinning his guitar over his left shoulder multiple times, subsequently catching it mid-air, and continuing to play.

<i>Lies for the Liars</i> 2007 studio album by The Used

Lies for the Liars is the third studio album by American rock band the Used. It was released on May 22, 2007, and was certified gold by the RIAA on February 28, 2019.

<i>Artwork</i> (album) 2009 studio album by The Used

Artwork is the fourth studio album by American rock band the Used, released through Reprise in the United States and the United Kingdom on August 31, 2009.

<i>Vulnerable</i> (The Used album) 2012 studio album by The Used

Vulnerable is the fifth studio album by American rock band the Used. It was released on March 26, 2012, via Hopeless Records. The album was produced by John Feldmann, who also produced the band's first three studio albums, The Used (2002), In Love and Death (2004), and Lies for the Liars (2007), and their Maybe Memories (2003) compilation album.

<i>The Ocean of the Sky</i> 2013 EP by The Used

The Ocean of the Sky is an EP by American rock band the Used, released on July 9, 2013. It is available as a digital download and in compact disc format. A vinyl format was released in September 2013. It peaked at No. 20 on the alternative chart and No. 108 on the Billboard 200 chart.

<i>Imaginary Enemy</i> (album) 2014 studio album by The Used

Imaginary Enemy is the sixth studio album by American rock band the Used. It is the first album released on, and the second label the band created and own, GAS Union.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tilian Pearson</span> American singer-songwriter

Tilian Pearson, also known mononymously as Tilian, is an American singer-songwriter, musician and record producer born in Clearwater, Florida. From 2012 to 2024, he was the third clean vocalist for the post-hardcore band Dance Gavin Dance. Pearson began his music career as the lead vocalist and guitarist in the progressive rock band Tides of Man, releasing an extended play and two studio albums before leaving in 2010.

<i>Live & Acoustic at the Palace</i> 2016 live album by The Used

Live & Acoustic at the Palace is a live acoustic album by the Used to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the band. It was recorded at a show on October 11, 2015, at the Palace in Los Angeles. It is the first release without the guitarist Quinn Allman. The performance featured guest musicians including a string quartet, pianist, harpist, extra percussion and a three-piece gospel choir.

<i>The Peace and the Panic</i> 2017 studio album by Neck Deep

The Peace and the Panic is the third studio album by Welsh pop punk band Neck Deep. It is the band’s first album to feature lead guitarist Sam Bowden, formerly of the bands Blood Youth and Climates and the last to feature founding bassist and backing vocalist Fil Thorpe-Evans before his departure in September 2018. The group planned to work on material for their follow-up album by the end of the year, though were unable due to tour commitments. In June 2016, the band went on a two-week writing retreat in Wales, creating 40 song drafts in the process. At the end of the year, vocalist Ben Barlow said the group had around 30 demos and two completed songs. Following a support slot for A Day to Remember in early 2017, the band began recording The Peace and the Panic in March and April in Los Angeles, California. Mike Green produced the album with assistance from engineers Will McCoy and Colin Schwanke. Most of the album was mixed by Neal Avron, while Green mixed three of the songs.

<i>Shapeshifter</i> (Knuckle Puck album) 2017 studio album by Knuckle Puck

Shapeshifter is the second studio album by American pop-punk band Knuckle Puck. It was released on October 13, 2017 through Rise Records.

<i>Heartwork</i> (The Used album) 2020 studio album by the Used

Heartwork is the eighth studio album by American rock band the Used. It was released on April 24, 2020, on Big Noise.

References

  1. ↑ "Instagram post by Justin Shekoski • May 5, 2017 at 8:32am UTC". Instagram.com. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved September 8, 2017.
  2. ↑ Biddulph, Andy (September 11, 2017). "The Used's Bert McCracken: "Everything In My Life Has Led Up To This Moment..."". Rock Sound . Retrieved September 12, 2017.
  3. ↑ Johnston, Emma (December 3, 2017). "The Used - The Canyon album review | Louder". Teamrock.com. Retrieved April 13, 2019.
  4. ↑ "The Used's Bert McCracken runs through the band's pain-stained discography — interview". January 5, 2018.
  5. 1 2 3 4 DiVita, Joe (September 8, 2017). "The Used Announce 'The Canyon' Album, Share Quirky 'Over and Over Again' Video". Loudwire . Retrieved September 9, 2017.
  6. ↑ "The Used's Bert McCracken Talks Suicide & Loss, How It Influenced New Album 'The Canyon'". Billboard. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
  7. ↑ Sharp, Tyler (February 2, 2015). "The Used guitarist to take temporary leave from band, Saosin member to fill in". Alternative Press. Retrieved March 7, 2019.
  8. ↑ Sharp, Tyler (November 19, 2015). "The Used welcome Saosin guitarist after officially parting ways with Quinn Allman". Alternative Press. Retrieved March 7, 2019.
  9. ↑ Sharp, Tyler (November 17, 2015). "The Used announce anniversary tour and live acoustic album". Alternative Press. Retrieved March 7, 2019.
  10. ↑ Chatterjee, Kika (April 12, 2016). "The Used's acoustic album hits #11 on Billboard's albums chart". Alternative Press. Retrieved March 7, 2019.
  11. ↑ Sharp, Tyler (June 14, 2016). "The Used announce second leg of 15-year anniversary tour". Alternative Press. Retrieved March 7, 2019.
  12. ↑ "The Used's New Album 'The Canyon': Bert McCracken Interview". Billboard. October 26, 2017. Retrieved April 13, 2019.
  13. ↑ Tuck, Dylan (September 8, 2017). "NEWS: The Used announce new album, 'The Canyon'!". Dead Press!. Retrieved March 9, 2019.
  14. ↑ "The Used's Bert McCracken Talks Suicide & Loss, How It Influenced New Album 'The Canyon'". Billboard. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
  15. ↑ "The Used's Bert McCracken Talks Suicide & Loss, How It Influenced New Album 'The Canyon'". Billboard. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
  16. 1 2 DiVita, Joe (September 8, 2017). "The Used Announce New Album, Release 'Over and Over Again' Video". Loudwire. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
  17. 1 2 Dickman, Maggie (September 7, 2017). "The Used debut new song, "Over And Over Again," taken from forthcoming album, 'The Canyon'". Alternative Press. Retrieved March 7, 2019.
  18. ↑ Dickman, Maggie (October 23, 2017). "The Used debut supercharged new song 'Rise Up Lights'". Alternative Press. Retrieved March 7, 2019.
  19. ↑ Dickman, Maggie (November 3, 2017). "Watch the Used's slightly NSFW music video for "Rise Up Lights"". Alternative Press. Retrieved March 7, 2019.
  20. ↑ Heinz, Natasha (November 22, 2017). "The Used announce tour and other news you might have missed today". Alternative Press. Retrieved March 7, 2019.
  21. ↑ Cook, Lottie (March 21, 2018). "NEWS: The Used announce rescheduled UK tour for August 2018!". Dead Press!. Retrieved March 9, 2019.
  22. 1 2 Casteel, Beth (May 1, 2018). "Nothing More share music video for 'Just Say When' and other news you might have missed today". Alternative Press. Retrieved March 7, 2019.
  23. ↑ Dickman, Maggie (March 19, 2018). "The Used announce dates for rescheduled tour". Alternative Press. Retrieved March 7, 2019.
  24. ↑ Tuck, Dylan (May 4, 2018). "VIDEO: The Used – The Nexus". Dead Press!. Retrieved March 9, 2019.
  25. ↑ Tuck, Dylan (March 31, 2018). "NEWS: Mike Shinoda, Skindred, and 70+ more join Reading & Leeds Festival 2018!". Dead Press!. Retrieved March 9, 2019.
  26. ↑ "The Canyon by The Used Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Retrieved April 13, 2019.
  27. ↑ Yeung, Neil Z. "The Canyon - The Used". AllMusic . Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  28. ↑ "'The Canyon' is the Used's most soul-wrenching effort to date". Alternative Press . October 27, 2017. Retrieved September 9, 2018.
  29. ↑ Reynolds, Aidan. "Album Review: The Used - The Canyon". Drowned in Sound . Archived from the original on September 10, 2018. Retrieved September 9, 2018.
  30. ↑ Lay, Nathaniel (November 8, 2017). "Album Review: The Used - The Canyon". New Noise. Retrieved September 9, 2018.
  31. ↑ "'The Canyon' is the Used's most soul-wrenching effort to date". Alternative Press. October 27, 2017. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
  32. ↑ "'The Canyon' is the Used's most soul-wrenching effort to date". Alternative Press. October 27, 2017. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
  33. ↑ "Favorite Punk Albums | AllMusic 2017 in Review". AllMusic. Retrieved May 21, 2018.
  34. ↑ "【FEATURES】The 40 best albums of 2017". ALTERNATIVE PRESS JAPAN (in Japanese). Retrieved May 21, 2018.
  35. ↑ "Staff Poll: Drowned In Sound's Albums Of 2017 List". Drowned in Sound. Archived from the original on May 22, 2018. Retrieved May 21, 2018.
  36. ↑ "Kerrang!'s Albums Of 2017 — Kerrang!". Kerrang!. December 29, 2017. Retrieved May 21, 2018.
  37. ↑ "The Used Setlist at SeaLegs Live at the Beach, Huntington Beach". setlist.fm. Retrieved August 19, 2019.
  38. 1 2 3 "The Used Setlist at Masonic Auditorium, San Francisco". setlist.fm. Retrieved August 19, 2019.
  39. ↑ "The Used Setlist at Uptown Theater, Kansas City". setlist.fm. Retrieved August 19, 2019.
  40. ↑ "The Used Setlist at Starland Ballroom, Sayreville". setlist.fm. Retrieved August 19, 2019.
  41. ↑ "ARIA Chart Watch #445". auspOp. November 4, 2017. Archived from the original on October 28, 2020. Retrieved November 4, 2017.
  42. ↑ "The Used Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
  43. ↑ "The Used Chart History (Top Alternative Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
  44. ↑ "The Used Chart History (Top Hard Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
  45. ↑ "The Used Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 7, 2017.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.