Berth – The Used

To buy Berth one has to (A) be an incredibly huge fan of the Used, and (B) not already own 2003's Maybe Memories. Just as that CD/DVD combo served as a placeholder until the guys released In Love and Death the next year, Berth (also a CD/DVD set) functions in primarily the same way for spring 2007's upcoming third full-length. The audio album is hardly even worth its presence with a mere nine live cuts (drawn most heavily from In Love and Death) that are little more than Bert McCracken about to run out of breath at any moment and sporadic fan cheers at the end of each track. There's no way even the most rabid fan could be satisfied with these songs, since even though McCracken is an intensely passionate frontman -- and the Used an intensely passionate band -- the raw energy a great live show has just doesn't transfer. Overall, these tracks are pretty disposable. As for the DVD, it's packed with about two-and-a-half hours of live concert and studio recording footage, random tour hijinks, music videos, member testimonials, and a rather off-kilter but amusing Q&A session; it also briefly touches on the fall 2006 departure of drummer Branden Steineckert (who is noticeably missing from all of the proceedings). This provides more information on the Used than any normal person could ever possibly want, but is surely enough to satisfy those hardcore fans. But again, it's hard to see the need for any of this considering all the bonuses on Maybe Memories. Berth should only be purchased by those who get giddy over finding out how the guys spend their downtime on tour, what they would bring with them on a deserted island, and most importantly, will they eat the snot of a Bled member? The answer to that last question, by the way, is yes. ~ Corey Apar, All Music Guide