Did Jared Leto lose his voice during this whole record? Most of what he claims to be 'singing' is mostly him talking slightly above a whisper. It's  weak and sounds far less epic than I think he intended. The album is titled This Is War, but it sounds like he's losing the fight. Leto claims this is a concept album, not a rock opera, but I think it's both. This is a far stretch from A Beautiful Lie (2005), which was the first album to get the band major success. With such smash hits as  "The Kill" and "Yesterday," the album was where they let their name be branded in rock history. This Is War, has more of a gothic appeal with dark lyrics. 

Allegedly, Leto stated that this album is full with optimism, and triumphant. Most of their inspiration for the new album comes from a 2008 Virgin Records lawsuit (30 million) stating that the band refused to create the three albums as required by its contract, hence the name "This Is War." 

Classic synth themes and slow instrumental build-ups are the motifs for This Is War, which got moderately boring. All but three songs slump under the five minute allotment of each track's length. It is creative and a fresh step for 30 Seconds To Mars, but I'm not sure it's a step in the right direction. It is , after all a concept album, and lets hope that this will be the end of it. 

I am really glad that they chose "Kings and Queens" be the album's first single, even if it does remind me of that Sunkist commercial every time I hear it. What was so profound about the track was that they got their fans involved. At an event called "The Summit" that the band hosted at many different venues and locations all across the world. They invited all their fans to come together and see how far along they were on their two-year recording sessions. They even got the 1,000 fans who attended, to participate in the album. The crowd shouts for "Kings and Queens" were those of audience who attended "The Summit." Leto comments it as one of the best things that they've done as a band. 

But they didn't stop there. In addition to getting their fans voices on the record, they had fans submit pictures of themselves to the "Faces Of Mars" (a group devoted to getting fans to submit pictures) and some 2,000 pictures were chosen to adorn the cover of their album. Some even including famous faces such as Bam Margera , Kat Von D, manager Irving Azoff, Cobra Starship's Gabe Saporta and Conan O'Brien. 

Their second single is titled "This Is War," which like 90% of their songs begin with an intro of the swelling of the crowds roars, which gives a sense of a live song. Leto screams of fighting to the death for this 'brave new world.' The very climatic ending is a positive one where he sings "The war is won! A brave new world!" The climax is quite inspiring, and the ending acoustic guitar riff pleasantly melts into the next track. 

"100 Suns," is a song simple acoustic song about loss of faith, in well, everything. He declares that he doesn't believe in anything not the earth, stars, the start or beginning, in sins or in God. But he does believe in the beating of his heart, and the truth in who 'we' are. The backing vocals are those of the crowds, singing "Oh Oh Oh" and the song ends with Leto saying "Thank You" to the crowd, and the audience sees out the song with cheering. 

"Vox Populi," sounds frightenly identical to "King and Queens." I could have sworn those two the same song, except that "Vox Populi" had an intro. 

"Hurricane," was originally supposed to be a collaboration with Kanye West, but after legal issues, his part had to be removed. Leto tells the public that that version of the song will  be heard sooner of later. His lyrics are profound, he asks if it would be worth it to kill to save a life, or to prove that you're right, which is the driving force of most wars. This song is probably the song to represent the albums title. As it goes into details of the turmoil and moral conflict that comes with fighting a war, and taking lives. 

Talk about another "I get knocked down but I get up again" song. "Alibi," states exactly that. The main instrument is the piano that introduces the start of the song, but once Leto sings it goes quiet with only a dreamy and almost transparent mellow synth in the background. The start of the chorus has queued the kick drum and a lazy snare. The song is soothing and motivating, and ends with a vigorous energy, with the bass, guitar, and drums at full-throttle. 

The track "Stranger in a Strange Land," proceeds "Alibi." It starts with a synth set on arpeggio and drums that sound like someone banging on trash can lids, which is INDEED people banging on not only trash can lids, but garbage cans, and hand drums. The Street Drum Corps who participated on this track, is a trio who are a Los Angeles based percussion group formed in 2004, and has worked with 30 Seconds To Mars before on their tour, Into The Wild. It is an added bonus to the album's creativity. After the percussion enters, strings are soon introduced. Thedn it all abruptly stops and starts again with a simple drum beat as the first verse starts with the most haunting lyrics: "Enemy of mine, I'll fuck you like the Devil, violent inside, beautiful and evil... If you're looking for Jesus, then get on your knees." Enough said. 

Good effort, and imaginative input into most songs. Although, it got a little tiring to listen to with all its intensity and monstrous intros, it was them stepping out of their comfort zone. As a concept album, they had a right to be divergent of their original sound, but it didn't feel as cutting-edge as I think they intended it to. I'd give it a solid 6 out of 10.