by Kelly Staskel |
October 27, 2009 10:51 EDT
With its new single "Kings and Queens," 30 Seconds to Mars veers from the post-hardcore direction of its previous two albums toward a more accessible sound. Fans might be surprised to hear riffs that recall U2 more than Incubus, but the song was clearly crafted with radio in mind. Stately drums and dramatic strings are paired with lyrics that take on a stark, apocalyptic tone: "The age of man is over, a darkness comes and all/ These lessons that we learned here have only just begun." A chorus chants behind singer Jared Leto's smooth, powerful voice, evoking the collective thrill of a live show. Grounded by Leto's convincing vocals, "Kings and Queens" is epic rock at its most affecting.
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