Released: Jan 13, 2010
Genre: Alternative Rock, Alternative Metal
Label: Visible Noise (UK) / Sony Music (US)
Number Of Tracks: 11
The Betrayed follows up with Liberation Transmission's style, but in certain ways it gets back to the old-school style.
The Betrayed
Reviewed by:
guitaristdude44, on may 28, 2010 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Sound: First off, the quality of the album isn't what it should be considering the only place I could find it was a leak. Other than that, The Betrayed sounds are relevant to the earlier albums and less poppy than Liberation Transmission. Like Start Something, the album links song to song which gives it a nice flow while listening to it. The album is definitely darker as the band mentioned, but still Lostprophets. The guitar parts seem to be pretty on and work well together. Oliver, on keys, has contributed much more to this album than any other. The melodies are very catchy, and the underlying riffs aren't the same over and over yet they are consistently good. // 9
Lyrics and Singing: As usual, Ian Watkins keeps do a certain style of writing. In this album, it seems that his favorite line is "Make Amends" which was used 2 or 3 times as well as in previous albums. Lyrics in AC Ricochet are repetitive, but have a good flow and rhyme scheme. In Dstyr Dstyr, Watkins seems to throw some of his political opinion in. That's new for Lostprophets which shows that the lyrics aren't the same and have new things to add. Watkins screams a bit in the album rather than Oliver doing it in LT. The whole band seems to sing more and it gives the album a fuller sound. Watkins' voice is pretty recognizable and unique, which fits the band well for it has an excellent sound. This was all very on. // 10
Impression: The Betrayed proved to be all it was hyped for. As soon as it comes to the US, it will definitely be a hit. I would have to rank it higher than Liberation Transmission, tied with Fake Sound of Progress, but not as good as Start Something. The songs are all very catchy and have new riffs and melodies that vary from the previous records. Every song on the album is unique and easy to separate from the others. As said before, the album links like Start Something which gives you that "I don't want to stop listening" attitude. I could listen to this album for hours on end and still enjoy it. I strongly recommend it to any Lostprophets fan or anyone who wants to give them a try. // 9
The Betrayed
Reviewed by:
unregistered, on january 25, 2010 2 of 5 people found this review helpful
Sound: I've been waiting for this album to be released with great expectation. I've always loved Lostprophets since I heard Last Train Home, but I must admit that Liberation Transmission was somehow disappointing for me (don't take me wrong, I loved it, but I like the other albums better). It certainly featured some great songs (Everyday Combat or Can't Catch Tomorrow), but, being Start Something the best album (and that's not just my opinion, most Lostprophets' fans will agree, I'm sure), Liberation Transmission was an excessively radical change from their style. One could notice a more mature attitude and sound when listening to it, but it is an undeniable fact that they had went more commercial and poppy. The album was a weird mix of heavy, fast paced songs and kind-of-emo tones. Lots of la-la-la's and do-do-do's that were nice but didn't really fit Lostprophets' style. In short, a great album, but not the best one could expect from Lostprophets.
The Betrayed follows up with Liberation Transmission's style, but in certain ways it gets back to the old-school style. Heavy guitars provide some mind-blowing riffs along with good bass lines, the drums are just awesome (Ilan Rubin is a great drummer) and Ian Watkins's singing is as good as usual. Sounds pretty much like Liberation Transmission, but in a way that I can't explain, it sounds just better. Still catchy and a bit poppy, but it doesn't feel like Lostprophets have turned into a sellout band that makes music only to sell lots of CD's. Liberation Transmission somehow brought this feeling with some of its songs, but with The Betrayed this is gone. The new album is heavier, darker, more mature, more like the old Lostprophets if you ask me. Oh, and interludes are back, which I am sure is good news for the old-school style fans. // 9
Lyrics and Singing: Just as the music, lyrics have also evolved. Darker, more apocalyptical (as said by the members of Lostprophets themselves) and mature. Not the romantic stuff found in Liberation Transmission. Particularly, I like the lyrics from It's not the end of the world but I can see it from here:
"My soldiers march tonight in the city of your dreams
This beautiful army are tearing at your seams
Down on your knees, cure this disease
I'll take it all, everything I see
Oh can't you hear the symphony!
Behind these walls, we'll watch it fall
As our union crumbles into hell" // 7
Impression: Again, it's not that I didn't like Liberation Transmission, but The Betrayed is so similar that I had to compare both albums, and fortunately (for those of us who were expecting a great album), The Betrayed gets the biggest score. If I had to choose the songs that deserve special attention, I'd surely say the best are "It's Not The End Of The World But I Can See It From Here" and "A Better Nothin" for their great guitars and vocals, and "For He's A Jolly Good Felon" and "Streets Of Nowhere" for their catchy (I just can't get them out of my head) riffs and calmed down style. But of course, opinions are like asses, everyone has their own, specially when talking about music. Just get the album (if you haven't yet) and judge for yourself, I'm sure that it won't disappoint you. // 8
The Betrayed
Reviewed by:
unregistered, on january 29, 2010 0 of 1 people found this review helpful
Sound: Lostprophets have been walking the line between alt-rock and alt-metal for 6 years — and The Betrayed stays the course. While it's not the incredibly heavy album that everyone's expected, it certainly does have its moments that'll get you headbanging (see "If It Wasn't for Hate", "Dstryr / Dstryr", and "It's Not the End of the World" for these). And if you wanna get technical, according to the 6 Welshmen, the New Wave-ish interludes are here to segue you from one song to the next.
However, on the whole, the four years that people have been waiting for payed off with the kind of album everyone was hoping for. Inspiration from the album has allegedly drawn from Faith No More and Refused, but it seems more like the band has simply solidified its own sound to make it. (A good thing, too, after hearing that the Prophets spent $500,000 their first run to make an album that had trumpets in it.) The song titles and outward portayal of the album sounds like a darker Liberation Transmission, whereas the music brings you back to the Start Something days.
Lostprophets have a knack for creating songs that'll get stuck in your head. From the heavy to soft, their music is catchy, but not off-putting enough for you to dismiss them as just another, say, pop metal band. They've got their it-wouldn't-be-Lostprophets-without-an-anthem, "Where We Belong", but also dabble in their punk-ish side with "Next Stop Atro City". And the downturned ballad-y "The Light That Shines Twice as Bright..." is a great closer to the album. // 10
Lyrics and Singing: This time around, Ian Watkins brings his lyrics to a darker, more cynical tone. There's even a few instances where profanity is used, which is a first. Nonetheless, some songs are just outwardly brutal, such as the aforementioned "Dstryr / Dstryr":
"Destroyer, destroyer. Religion needs a new employer.
I've got the rope to hang your Jesus even higher!"
Others hide behind a happier sound, like "For He's a Jolly Good Felon", but still remain witty but dark:
"Mikey, oh where'd you get those Nikes?
'Cause I know you ain't got the notes to drop,
Left alone you'd take the fucking lot!" // 10
Impression: The Betrayed doesn't sound like anyone else — what it does sound like is Lostprophets, and kudos to them for that. Nowadays, it takes a real talent to be a part of the alternative rock genre and still be known for something. These aren't just "those guys who sing 'Last Train Home' and 'Rooftops'," they're a band who aren't afraid to be who they are, get a little experimental but be comfortable in their own shoes (sound?) at the same time.
What I personally love about this album is the heavy beginning to it, and how before you know it, it's mellowed out in the sound that Prophets fans have grown to love. If I could change one thing, I'd say include another 1 or 2 songs that have Jamie Oliver screaming again. Not totally necessary, but hearing it again does bring back memories. However, The Betrayed is such good music that I'd buy the CD again if it was ever stolen or lost.
All in all, I'd say that The Betrayed is solid — solid music, solid vocals, solid personality. This would be a great place for someone to discover the band, but also is an invaluable collection to a hardcore fan's library. // 10
but it is an undeniable fact that they had went more commercial and poppy.
too true, i could tell they had sold out with LT just by looking at some of the song titles. Massive fans of their old stuff however, does anyone else reckon that the intro to 'we are godzilla, you are japan' is undeniably chatchy??
but it is an undeniable fact that they had went more commercial and poppy.
too true, i could tell they had sold out with LT just by looking at some of the song titles. Massive fans of their old stuff however, does anyone else reckon that the intro to 'we are godzilla, you are japan' is undeniably chatchy??
but it is an undeniable fact that they had went more commercial and poppy.
too true, i could tell they had sold out with LT just by looking at some of the song titles. Massive fans of their old stuff however, does anyone else reckon that the intro to 'we are godzilla, you are japan' is undeniably chatchy??
Shinobi vs dragon ninja man, thats a tune
Both of them are absolutely amazing songs.
I'd agree with this review. It's definitely not a return to the old style, but they've mixed elements of the old style in with the more poppy stuff. And that is fine by me.
By the way, does anyone else find that the interludes just make the album so much better?
Lostprophets was ruined for me after Start Something: The Fake Sound of Progress blew me away, and it was just kind of sad when they went in that direction (although Sway is a kickass song). But I have all the respect in the world for these guys, they have tonnes of talent and they master the music perfectly, it's just this new style doesn't really do the trick for me.
Yeah, I prefer this album to Liberation Transmission, that being said, it's still pretty bad. I'm not appreciative of the new songwriting style. Still some interesting riffs and melodies, but I was very disappointed.
their last 2 albums have lacked any sort of identity. it's as if they've set out to butcher as many genres as possble and cram it into 11 tracks in an attempt to be 'diverse'.
i mean come on; 'dstryr/dstryr' is an unabashed ratm rip off and 'a better nothing' could be a killers b-side. seriously poor form.
Why don't they realise that Fake Sound of Progress was their best album? It made them difficult to classify; were they alternative rock? Nu metal? Post-hardcore? Loads of different styles but they were blended together well. These later albums just sound like bad covers of other bands.
but it is an undeniable fact that they had went more commercial and poppy.
too true, i could tell they had sold out with LT just by looking at some of the song titles. Massive fans of their old stuff however, does anyone else reckon that the intro to 'we are godzilla, you are japan' is undeniably chatchy??
Oh i just remembered how much i loved that song, the ending is amazing.
Why hasn't the reviewer mentioned the [i]actual[i/] best album, Fake Sound of Progress?
God knows. This album is just dull. Listened to it on spotify and it's like they're trying to become what they were but maintain their poppy side. Just makes it bland, almost cheesy.
Best bits are the interludes. I wouldnt buy it just for those tho lol.
True, the interludes are better than the rest of it, but most albums need second hearings. The band need to realise that Fake Sound of Progress and Start Something are the reasons we like them, and another mediocre album will blow it.
Yeah I wouldn't go that far but it was no way near as good as I thought, after all, they've spent a very long time on it. I much prefered Liberation Transmission.
Hear one song on in HMV the other day and was not impressed. Sounded like stuff from Liberation Transmission, which is not a good thing. I still enjoy The Fake Sound of Progress and most of Star Something though.
Im just a little disappointed out how emo they have gotten. I mean I remember reading in a magazine long time ago their was a tiny article called a town called hypcrocity and in it I cant remember exactly so don't quote me but I think it said during the start something times the front man Ian said were not like the people who spend time and money on our hair we don't really care or something a long those lines but now they have the fully styled emo hair cuts. I miss their old albums which got me out of my backstreet boy phase and put me into rock music and such like that.
This album lacks direction, meaning and in some parts creativity. I'm really surprised that after 3-4 years, they've come up with one of the worst album openers I've ever heard and a terrible album closer. Only the two singles and Dstryr really stand out for me, songs like A Better Nothing and Dirty Little Heart absolutely stink of filler.
Very disappointing.
To me, this album was a huge disappointment. Just too much pop garbage for songs like "If It Wasn't For Hate..." to redeem. They need to decide what on earth they're trying to do and go with that, rather than try to amalgamate the heavy with the stuff they've been doing. It just doesn't work. I listened to it and had to put on The Fake Sound of Progress when I was through just to remind myself that they were ever any good.
Personally, I've been a HUGE fan of these guys since I was 8 years old, first band I ever listened to and been my favourite band since I first even took an interest to music. Been nearly a decade now, pretty sure it's gonna stay that way for a while too.
Anyway, I really don't understand how the self-claimed "true" Lostprophets fans can begin to dislike them just because a band changes style. Accept it or not, but if they did Start Something and The Fake Sound Of Progress again you'd just complain that they're unoriginal and lack musical creativity so they're just recycling the same songs over and over again. That's coming from someone who regards Start Something and FSOP as the greatest albums I've ever heard in my life. Personally, I enjoy the change, I like the fact that I can listen to each album and hear different undertones but still hear the clear Lostprophets sound over it all.
They've changed with every album and I've appreciated it, perhaps I'm too broad-minded or perhaps you're all too narrow-minded and just refuse to accept anything that's poppy. There's nothing wrong with catchy songs and singalong choruses. That being said, their heavier songs are my favourites so don't even think of getting the nerve to call me an "emo fag" or whatever. By the way, before you all throw the term emo around because Ian started caring about his hairstyle, I suggest you all learn what emo is, you uneducated fools. Emo has NOTHING to do whatsoever with appearance and doesn't sound like Lostprophets/MCR/Fall Out Boy, go learn about a topic before you throw a term around.
ANYWAY, to finish my rant, this album is amazing imho. I love it as much as I've loved every Lostprophets album, which is amazing. I love that they've taken influences from every album they've made and mixed them together for The Betrayed, makes me want to mosh like f*ck and sing along with every song too. Diversity>Monotony. It's not like they're mixing genres that don't even blend anyway, as half of you seem to think they're "all over the place".
I don't have a problem with emo people as long as they leave me alone, but to correct you, YES emo IS a trend/style. And if you're talking about the actual means of being an emotional boy, all I can say to you is a grow up, quit whining, and be a man.
I don't have a problem with emo people as long as they leave me alone, but to correct you, YES emo IS a trend/style. And if you're talking about the actual means of being an emotional boy, all I can say to you is a grow up, quit whining, and be a man.
Dude, take your arrogance elsewhere. I'm on about emo for what it actually is, EMOTIVE HARDCORE. Not jet black dyed floppy hair, tight pants and self-harm. THAT IS NOT EMO. If you think it is then you sir are as deluded and uneducated as the masses. Go read up on emotive hardcore and actually listen to some and then try and tell me that Lostprophets even look or sound emo. Until then your point is invalid because you don't even know what you're talking about. No, emo is NOT a trend. Emo is a genre of music, just like metal, just like electro, it doesn't entail a specific dress code. If anyone needs to grow up it's you mate, I'm not whining, I'm complaining about stupid people. That doesn't make me any less of a man, thanks. Oh, and for the record, EMO DOES NOT MEAN EMOTIONAL.
Dstryr/Dstryr and Next Stop Atro City are really good off the album. As for me I also like the cheerful/inspirational Where We Belong, and Dirty Little Heart and Streets of Nowhere aren't too shabby. The rest seems a little dull, but at least it has that epic cinematic-like finish on The Light That Burns Twice as Bright
I don't have a problem with emo people as long as they leave me alone, but to correct you, YES emo IS a trend/style. And if you're talking about the actual means of being an emotional boy, all I can say to you is a grow up, quit whining, and be a man.
Dude, take your arrogance elsewhere. I'm on about emo for what it actually is, EMOTIVE HARDCORE. Not jet black dyed floppy hair, tight pants and self-harm. THAT IS NOT EMO. If you think it is then you sir are as deluded and uneducated as the masses. Go read up on emotive hardcore and actually listen to some and then try and tell me that Lostprophets even look or sound emo. Until then your point is invalid because you don't even know what you're talking about. No, emo is NOT a trend. Emo is a genre of music, just like metal, just like electro, it doesn't entail a specific dress code. If anyone needs to grow up it's you mate, I'm not whining, I'm complaining about stupid people. That doesn't make me any less of a man, thanks. Oh, and for the record, EMO DOES NOT MEAN EMOTIONAL.
This guy speaks more sense than the rest of you put together.
I was waiting for Lostprophets' latest album and... I just don't know. I've listened to it a couple of times and the songs don't seem to get in my head. They are forgettable, or I just don't have much memory.
I loved Start Something and I even liked Liberation Transmission a lot, but The Betrayed doesn't fill my expectations, I will keep listening to it to see if it grows on me but so far it has disappointed me a bit. I'm not giving up on Lostprophets 'cause they are very talented.
By the way, you guys have mentioned Shinobi vs Dragon Ninja and We are Godzilla, You are Japan as great tunes (they are), 'Hello Again' is pretty awesome to me, what do you think about it?
When I listened to the first two albums, the songs that instantly caught my ears would keep me listening through it then over years the other songs grow on me therefore liking the album as a whole, but with liberation there were no instant '**** yeah' songs and the good ones like cant catch tomorrow had to grow on me but most of the songs i still find tedious, there just isnt much going on in the songs really, in make a move for example it carries on from an interlude, has an epic intro, the keys are playing strings and other sounds in the background while the guitars do that old prophets thing where one is playing clean/effects and the others doing straight up distorted playing, and cool lyrics/delivery from ian on top of all this and you can paint your own picture to the story of the song... and i never thought much of that song to begin with, i just dont get any feeling of depth and creativity in liberation (save a few songs)
and well when they released liberation, they were all over the media with a very flamboyant image that, it being 2006, looked very 'emo' to most people so with an album with formula singing-driven based songs in the fans eyes it was a sell out
i never really liked there first album apart from a few songs.
start something was really quite good.
also despite it being a huge change in style and an obvious sellout point, liberation transmittion was okay, i like pretty much half of the album
but this is a bit meh...i remember them saying they were going to go metal on this album, i remember in an interview when they relesed the cover of davidian that they were going to go in that direction.
it might be that they didnt stick to there word and went more sellout, or that i dont like the album
in a way, this is more of a sellout than liberation transmition...how many extremely popular bands that have apperard in the last 2 years have the same sound as this album? quite a F***ing lot
allthough, im glad they didnt go metal if it was to be like davidian, because that was an extreamly terrible cover
iTunes says they're metal, but only Fake Sound of Progress was metal. Start Something was Heavy Alternative Rock, and LT was Pop. This is Rop, or Pock.
Ive been a lostprophets fan for awhile, i diddnt love Liberation Transmission, infact i only liked 4 songs off the album, but i still supported them, but this album is just not up to par at all for them, they could do so much better, i wont be buying it, infact i think all their B-sides would make a far better album
I saw the video to Where We Belong then switched to another channel and saw Shinobi v Dragon Ninja...the change was pretty radical. Liberation Transmission was decent but it only had a few really good songs so I hope this album is at least somewhere approaching Start Something's goodness.
I'm going to disagree with some of you.
I Love The Betrayed. Yes, some of them don't live up to previous songs, but each album isn't supposed to be the same.
I love Liberation Transmission too. They are both epic albums.
This is a really good album. I expected more, and still don't understand why they didn't put songs in the album like "The Dead (Fighting For)" or "Weapon", I love them.
My favs from The Betrayed are "It's Not The End Of The World, But I Can See It From Here", "Where We Belong" and "Next Stop Atro City".
Bout 1985. Maybe later. But now its a clothing fad too. The people positively commenting this review follow said fad.
define emo... pls?
Emo (pronounced /ˈiːmoʊ/) is a style of rock music typically characterized by melodic musicianship and expressive, often confessional lyrics. It originated in the mid-1980s hardcore punk movement of Washington, D.C., where it was known as "emotional hardcore" or "emocore" and pioneered by bands such as Rites of Spring and Embrace. As the style was echoed by contemporary American punk rock bands, its sound and meaning shifted and changed, blending with pop punk and indie rock and encapsulated in the early 1990s by groups such as Jawbreaker and Sunny Day Real Estate. By the mid 1990s numerous emo acts emerged from the Midwestern and Central United States, and several independent record labels began to specialize in the style.
Thanks to Wikipedia. You can't deny emo is a genre of music. The Grammy Museum even considers emo a genre.
EpiExplorer :
pangy wrote: all genre is characterized by melodic musicianship and expressive, often confessional lyrics... what are the distinctive qualities of this "genre" that will differ from other genres??
emo? a genre? when did this happened??
Bout 1985. Maybe later. But now its a clothing fad too. The people positively commenting this review follow said fad.
define emo... pls?
Emo (pronounced /ˈiːmoʊ/) is a style of rock music typically characterized by melodic musicianship and expressive, often confessional lyrics. It originated in the mid-1980s hardcore punk movement of Washington, D.C., where it was known as "emotional hardcore" or "emocore" and pioneered by bands such as Rites of Spring and Embrace. As the style was echoed by contemporary American punk rock bands, its sound and meaning shifted and changed, blending with pop punk and indie rock and encapsulated in the early 1990s by groups such as Jawbreaker and Sunny Day Real Estate. By the mid 1990s numerous emo acts emerged from the Midwestern and Central United States, and several independent record labels began to specialize in the style.
Thanks to Wikipedia. You can't deny emo is a genre of music. The Grammy Museum even considers emo a genre.
was a massive fan of start something and fake sound' , liberation was terrible and this isnt much better but does have a few redeeming tracks... dstryr is pretty cool and darkest blue is actually more the kind of song i wouldve expected on start something, a good thing in my eyes because an entire album of 'metal' songs would sound pretty shit aswell. does anyone else think this new song structure they follow where there doesnt seem to be much difference between what the two guitars are playing kinda sux? 'specially since ians vocals and lyrics have taken a dramatic nosedive since start something. he just sounds really flat in all these new songs.. anyone?
I just wanted to come back here to update my opinion on The Betrayed, the more I listen to it, the more it slowly grows on me.. I'm starting to get to know the songs and what I can say so far is that I'm liking it more than when I listened to it the first time.
The Betrayed is better than I thought but NEVER like Start Something.
their last 2 albums have lacked any sort of identity. it's as if they've set out to butcher as many genres as possble and cram it into 11 tracks in an attempt to be 'diverse'.
i mean come on; 'dstryr/dstryr' is an unabashed ratm rip off and 'a better nothing' could be a killers b-side. seriously poor form.
why does everybody think that when i song souunds like a certain thing...how many people are out there writing music? if u have ever wrote ur own music u would know how hard it is, and sumtimes some riffs jus match up with other songs and u didnt even mean to. there were no songs or genres that were butchered on this cd.. I think they did an awesome job on the new cd, many diff things that are very positive...kudos to lostprophets for doing it again, take my word for it im a singer/songwriter.. huge fan of all their cd's including LT...they are obviously doing sumthin right ;P
i didn't really like it when I first lisened to it. dstryr just sounded really stupid the way he kind of half screams in a high voice and stuff but as the album goes on i came buckets haha
a better nothing is actually amazing and there are so many like "that's cool" moments whilst you're listening to it and, after i'd listened to it all the way through, i quite liked the heavier songs at the beginning (dstryr and next stop atro city) and they, most definitely need to be played loud to be enjoyed haha. but yeah, sorry this is quite long, hope my opinion interests some of you haha.
oh, and as for comparing this to LT, i don't really see it, but all their albums are so different so i like that x
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