Lostprophets – ‘The Betrayed’ Album Review

Artist: Lostprophets
Title: ‘The Betrayed’
Label: Visible Noise / Sony
Rating: 3.5/5

Summary: Lostprophets return with their long awaited follow up to ‘Liberation Transmission’, ‘The Betrayed’. A solid yet often uninspired effort that may not quite be the masterpiece it should have been.

Review: Lostprophets have returned from an unstable patch in their career. They recorded an entire album and then scrapped it. A similar situation to that of the ill fated ‘Anyone For Doomsday?’ album from Powerman 5000, way back in 2001. The band have spoken openly in the press about ructions with famed producer John Feldmann (The Used, Good Charlotte, After Midnight Project), expressing feelings of disappointment that they weren’t getting what they were promised or paying for (over $500,000).

After the decision was made to go it alone – it fell to bassist Stuart Richardson to take on production duties. Thus work began on what would be the final version of ‘The Betrayed’, their 4^th studio album. It would have been interesting to hear what John Feldman brought to the Lostprophets’ palette as he has produced some astoundingly atmospheric records. However, the band has done a notable job by going solo and crafting an often raw and occasionally intense record that does nothing to diminish of soften their bite.

Opener/Intro ‘If It Wasn’t For Hate We’d Be Dead By Now’ builds slowly from the militaristic drumming topped with almost industrial vocals; oddly reminiscent of artists such as Marilyn Manson or Trent Reznor. Working well by creating a close, dark atmosphere right up until it explodes into ‘Dstryr/Dstryr’; a particularly feverish outing that relentlessly powers along through jarring verses before giving way to a classic Lostprophets chorus. Interestingly the final track ‘The Light That Burns Twice As Bright’ closes the record with the same dark atmosphere, similar to the aural textures created by Linkin Park on ‘Hybrid Theory’.

Lostprophets

‘Streets of Nowhere’ feels like Lostprophets covering Feeder circa ‘Yesterday Went To Soon’ with it’s bouncy rhythms and rather British sensibilities. Sadly it is largely devoid of the charm that made ‘A Town Called Hypocrisy’ a decent single.

The first single ‘It’s Not The End Of The World…’ is a tad formulaic but the guys have a real knack with momentum in their verses that hooks the listener in from the word go. There are better tracks on offer here yet I wouldn’t be surprised to see ‘Where We Belong’ released as single number two. It’s the most pop-orientated track extremely infectious as Ian Watkins sings:

“Oh take these storms away / Start a brand new story / I’ll make it through each day / Singing death or glory / Lord won’t answer me / I won’t let it bring me down”

- ‘Where We Belong’

The awesome ‘Next Stop Atro City’ is a real album highlight, with it’s frenetic delivery, sing-a-long hooks and pounding percussion driving things along at a frantic pace. It may well be the closest thing to perfection on this record.

As with the majority of Lostprophets records ‘The Betrayed’ is front heavy and loses its way a little beyond the half way mark. In this case, things just get rather dull, with the final few tracks such as ‘Sunshine’ struggling to hold the listener’s attention. Not to mention distinguish themselves as stylish cuts in their own right.

Lostprophets have delivered a pretty solid album with ‘The Betrayed’, yet there is nothing quite as essential here as ‘Burn Burn’, ‘Everyday Combat’ or even ‘New Transmission’. Thus ‘Liberation Transmission’ continues to be their most accomplished record to date is arguably.

Track Listing:
1. If It Wasn’t For Hate We’d Be Dead By Now
2. Dstryr/Dstryr
3. It’s Not The End Of The World But I Can See It From Here
4. Where We Belong
5. Next Stop Atro City
6. For He’s A Jolly Good Felon
7. Better Nothing, A
8. Streets Of Nowhere
9. Dirty Little Heart
10. Darkest Blue
11. The Light That Burns Twice As Bright

For fans of: 30 Seconds To Mars, The Blackout and Funeral For A Friend.
Download: ‘Dstryr/Dstryr’ & ‘Next Stop Atro City’
Official Website: www.lostprophets.com
Myspace: www.myspace.com/lostprophets

Written by Liam Thomson