Imaginary Enemy (album)

Imaginary Enemy
Studio album by The Used
Released April 1, 2014
Genre Post-hardcore, alternative rock
Length 57:19
Label
Producer John Feldmann
The Used chronology

The Ocean of the Sky
(2013)		 Imaginary Enemy
(2014)
Singles from Imaginary Enemy
  1. "Cry"
    Released: February 4, 2014
  2. "Revolution"
    Released: September 30, 2014[1]

Imaginary Enemy is the sixth studio album by The Used. It was released on April 1, 2014, under their own record label GAS Union through Hopeless Records. The album was produced by John Feldmann, who also produced the band's first three and fifth studio albums.[2] It is the first album released on, and the second label the band created and own, GAS Union. The album charted at #14 on the Billboard 200 and number 1 on the Independent albums chart.[3]

Recording

In an interview with Jeph, he stated that they recorded the album "backwards" by having the vocals recorded first and then having the music written to the vocals. It is the first time they have recorded like this and did so because they were unhappy with the sound of the songs when recording the music so they scrapped the dozen songs they had written and tried something new.[4]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Allmusic [5]
Alternative Press [6]
HM Magazine [7]

At Alternative Press, Evan Lucy rated the album three-and-a-half stars out of five, writing that "Whether the band's fanbase latches on to the politicism is yet to be seen, but these song will sound great from the pit regardless."[6]

Track listing

No. Title Length
1. "Revolution"   4:04
2. "Cry"   3:30
3. "El-Oh-Vee-Ee"   3:32
4. "A Song to Stifle Imperial Progression (A Work in Progress)"   4:05
5. "Generation Throwaway"   3:05
6. "Make Believe"   3:27
7. "Evolution"   4:38
8. "Imaginary Enemy"   3:24
9. "Kenna Song"   4:20
10. "Force Without Violence"   5:23
11. "Overdose" (ends at 3:52, hidden track "Red Heart" starts at 7:41) 14:41
Limited edition bonus track[8]
No. Title Length
12. "Money Monster"   3:02

Limited edition

A limited edition of 15,000 numbered copies will be made featuring deluxe artwork and a bonus track titled "Money Monster".[8]

Personnel

The Used
Technical and production
  • John Feldmann – Producer, Mixing
  • Zakk Cervini – Programming, Additional Mixing, Engineering
  • Ago Teppand – Programming, Additional Mixing, Engineering
  • Kenny Carkeet – Programming, Additional Mixing, Engineering
  • Chris Qualls – Additional Engineering
  • James Clarke – Additional Engineering

Chart performance

Chart (2014) Peak
position
US Billboard 200 14
US Billboard Rock Albums 5
US Billboard Alternative Albums 5
US Billboard Independent Albums 1

Release history

Region Date Format(s) Edition(s) Label Ref.
United Kingdom March 31, 2014
Standard
[9]
United States April 1, 2014
  • Standard
  • limited
 [10]
Japan April 2, 2014
  • CD
  • digital download
 Standard
  • GAS Union
  • Hopeless
  • Kick Rock Invasion
 [11]
Australia April 4, 2014
  • Standard
  • limited
  • GAS Union
  • Hopeless
 [8]
Germany
  • CD
  • LP
  • digital download
 Standard
[12]

References

  1. ↑ http://www.allaccess.com/alternative/future-releases
  2. ↑ "The Used stream new album 'Imaginary Enemy'". KROQ-FM. March 25, 2014. Retrieved March 28, 2014.
  3. ↑ http://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-used-mn0000577358/awards
  4. ↑ Chatterjee, Upasana (October 25, 2013). "Interview with The Used". AMH Network. Retrieved March 9, 2014.
  5. ↑ http://www.allmusic.com/album/imaginary-enemy-mw0002615094
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Lucy, Evan (2014). "The Used – Imaginary Enemy". Alternative Press (Alternative Press Magazine). May 2014 (310): 88. ISSN 1065-1667.
  7. ↑ Ullman, Zane (April 17, 2014). "The Used - Imaginary Enemy". HM Magazine. HM Publications LLC. ISSN 1066-6923. Retrieved May 9, 2014.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 "Imaginary Enemy (Deluxed Edition)". The Music Shop. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Imaginary Enemy". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved March 25, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Imaginary Enemy". Amazon.com. Retrieved March 25, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Imaginary Enemy" (in Japanese). Amazon.co.jp. Retrieved March 25, 2014.
  12. ↑ "Imaginary Enemy" (in German). Amazon.de. Retrieved March 27, 2014.