Kings & Queens - 30 Seconds to Mars Single Review

30 Seconds to Mars

Single Review

'Kings & Queens', the new single from Thirty Seconds To Mars, is their precursor, their teaser, their appetiser of choice for their forthcoming, eagerly awaited, new album 'This Is War'. An aptly titled album it would appear, as Jared Leto, the lead singer (who refuses to talk about his acting career whilst promoting his music) has apparently just 'parted ways with his advisors' in an act of 'self sabotage'. (Or should that read, has just generated more column inches in an act of self promotion?)

Since 1998, when 30 S T M were formed, Jared, now 37, has been a busy boy, he is not only the lead singer, rhythm guitarist and songwriter for 30 S T M, but also a talented actor, Fight Club, Girl Interrupted, Panic Room & Chapter 27 to name but a few (Not to him obviously, we couldn't discuss all of his talents at once, his music is 'precious'). He is also a director, and goes by, not one but two, aliases (Aliai?) Bartholomew Cubbins and Angakok Pamipaq. He has fought off a $30 Million Dollar lawsuit from Virgin, having re-signed to them, and if that were not enough, managed to collect numerous musical awards along the way. Will this release garner even more? Maybe.

Kings & Queens is a very polished, anthemic, stadium filling belter of a tune. It is clearly an MTV, radio friendly, American teen dramas obligatory token 'Rock' tune waiting to happen. It is produced, very slickly, by Flood, he of U2 & Depeche Mode notoriety, and also by Steve Lillywhite, U2 again, as well as the Stones, etc. In their inimitable way they have managed to produce a very well crafted, flawless aural soundscape, that, if you were scoring on meritable points, has all the right ingredients. There's a well written song, inclusive of catchy, can't fail to sing along to chorus, great guitar breaks (some a bit too close to the Edge! sorry), well chosen changes in tempo and deliverance and a full on, punching the air as he goes, rasping and rocking vocal. At the close we even have an Elbow 'Grace Under Pressure' choral style backing. However, it has all become a little sanitised. You can picture them up there on stage, at their next awards ceremony, giving their own take on a U2, or Coldplay, fully blown, can you feel the passion (no), I can see the sales figures stack up as I look to camera one more time, corporate cynical way.

Current fans of Thirty Seconds To Mars may just find that, as with Kings Of Leon, and their 'Sex On Fire' experience, a whole new bunch of devotees may arrive on the scene and jump on the Thirty Seconds To Mars bandwagon. Kings & Queens is a good tune, a sure crowd pleaser live and bodes well for the album, if that is this is the direction you were wanting them to go in. Expect to hear more from Mr Leto and friends, but remember don't ask him 'How To Sew An American Quilt?'

Andrew Lockwood