LOSTPROPHETS
Weapons
[Fearless Records]
Normal Edition Verdict: 8/10
Deluxe Edition Verdict: 9/10
The new Lostprophets album, Weapons, is the first in America since Lost Transmission some six years ago. The normal edition of this album is where we’ll get started. Kicking off with the single, “Bring ‘Em Down”, this track almost feels reminiscent of the band’s famous Start Something days. As a result, it may get some longtime fans expecting a part two of that album, but this isn’t the case. While “Bring ‘Em Down” and “Another Shot” could feel very much like that era, the rest of the album takes elements from every other LP album, while also expanding their brand of rock into something slightly more “arena” in structure. “We Bring An Arsenal” is a great fuse between punk and hard rock, “Jesus Walks” sounds like something that would have ruled during the ’90s alternative scene, and “Better Off Dead” seems to be going for an old school Linkin Park vibe. However, the rest of the album consists of melodic and soaring rock that tends to fall a little to the side. It’s not that any of it is bad by any means, but the other tracks just don’t really jump out. Luckily, the deluxe edition of this album really makes up for the unbalance. Hell, the b-sides and garage sessions found in the additional tracks are better than most of the normal edition’s songs. “The Dead” and “Save Yourself” are especially memorable. Weapons is certainly no Start Something part two, but then again, it was never meant to be. Some fans may have been hoping for such a case, but they’ll have to get over it. Weapons is still a very solid rock record from the famous Lostprophets. – by Amy Lockley
>> Classification: Rock
>> Recommended Tracks: “We Bring An Arsenal”, “Jesus Walks”, “Better Off Dead”, “The Dead”, “Save Yourself”
>> In Conclusion: Personally, I think this album may place fourth place in the LP discography, but that doesn’t mean it’s poor. In fact, it is still a very solid and enjoyable record. I guess I’ll always be stuck on the attitude and passion of Start Something…
This review appears in LMP #10 (june 2012). Check out the digital issue here!
