I have never heard anything like this before. Simply put, 30 Seconds to Mars rocks. Based out of Southern California, 30 Seconds to Mars has amazed so many people that Puddle of Mudd even invited them to open their six-week tour in 2002. With influences like Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Rush and The Cure; 30 Seconds to Mars have an eclectic taste that is matched by their unique sound, using metaphors and moments of fantasy that capture the imagination and take you far away with the music.

     The very first track, Capricorn (A Brand New Name), kick starts the journey with a reference to a mysterious disappearance that includes a hard guitar sound and soaring vocals with a melodic chorus that captivates the listener with its rhythms. So I run, hide and tear myself up/I値l start again with a brand new name/and eyes that see into infinity/I will disappear/I told you once and I値l say it again/I want my message read clear/I値l show you the way, the way I知 going/So I run, hide and tear myself up/I値l start again with a brand new name/and eyes that see into infinity.

     That journey continues with the contradictory mellow, yet hard sound of the prophetic Edge of the Earth and then with the deep song, Fallen. Is this who you are?/Some sweet violent urge/A weak fallen man/with the promise of an end/All the pretty people die/innocence is out of style/all the whores have gone away/Now there痴 nothing left for me/Why are you her/are you listening/can you hear what I am saying/I am not here/I知 not listening/I知 in my head/and I知 spinning.

     My favorite track was the frantically paced 80痴 homage entitled Oblivion. There is something very Pink Floydish about this, something very old school, and something very cool. The enemy arrives/escape into the night/Everybody run now/everybody run now/break into another time/This enemy alive/divinity defines/everybody run now/everybody run now/EVERYBODY RUN NOW/everybody run/under the burning sun/I take a look around/Imagine if this all came down/I知 waiting for the day to come.

     I just love this group痴 sound; the music, the lyrics, the vocals, everything clicks in such an intriguing, innovative way. 30 Seconds to Mars is definitely America痴 best-kept secret and definitely deserves attention. Like Mars itself, while new places and new bands are an uncertainty, just like the planet, this band is definitely worth exploring.

     Send your comments and or questions about this article to JMinners@ybfree.com.

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