When The Used released their self-titled debut album in 2002, I was obsessed with selling out and tribalism and the like. I was ska and punk through and through. If it was anything else, it sucked. No questions asked. No chances given. So, I never listened to The Used. The band didn’t fit in my worldview, so I had no room for them. All I really knew about them is that the lead singer was on The Osbournes because he was dating Kelly. They also played the Taste of Chaos tour, and I wouldn’t be caught dead at that festival at all.
So, you’re probably wondering just why in the hell I’m writing this review.
It’s simple really. I have a lot of respect for lead singer Bert McCracken. In 2022, he realized he needed some additional help to get his mental health struggles under control and took actions to do just that. It meant canceling shows and essentially taking a break from the band for a spell. We live in a society that doesn’t place enough emphasis on the importance of mental health care. So, when I read about what McCracken was doing, I immediately started rooting for him.
My newfound admiration for McCracken got me interested in checking out The Used for the first time. It also doesn’t hurt that I’m not the same person now that I was in my twenties. Sure, I still mostly listen to ska and punk music, but I learned about other cool bands outside those genres once I stopped trying so hard to be “different.”
Thus, I’m coming to Toxic Positivity with fresh ears and an open mind. Holy shit, it’s really good.
It feels like a concept album of sorts about struggling with mental health and anxiety. It’s brutal. It’s beautiful, raw, and honest. Though McCracken has been sober for over a decade now, the very first song on the album starts off with a guttural scream and a cry for drugs to help cope with how bad things are. Between the album title and opening track, it should pretty evident what the listener is getting into.
The feeling of helplessness and lack of control continue on the more melodic and mellow, “Numb.” I relate to this song the most. I’ve personally been trying to manage some severe anxiety of late, and I cope using apathy and shutting down at night instead of being a functioning member of my family. I’m just burned out. So when McCracken asks, “Does anybody else feel numb?,” the answer is yes. I am anybody.
The musically diverse album features screamo, hardcore, pop-punk, and even drum and bass.
The Used blends it all together into a cohesive sound that offers up an elevated listening experience. Think Fall Out Boy meets My Chemical Romance meets Turnstile meets Taking Back Sunday. If you like any of those bands, chances are, you’ll like Toxic Positivity.
Lately, my biggest form of therapy is listening to music. I naturally gravitate towards music focused on the themes and messages discussed throughout Toxic Positivity. It helps to listen to music filled with shared experiences so you don’t feel as alone. As someone who is struggling and knows it’s probably time to take the steps McCracken did to find help, albums like Toxic Positivity are extremely important. One of the side effects for a number of folks in the post-pandemic world are feelings of heightened anxiety and isolation. The songs on this album helps folks who are struggling realize they aren’t alone.
One question remains: Since I liked Toxic Positivity so much, am I going to give The Used a chance?
Absolutely. I’ve already queued up their self-titled debut, and I’m ready to discover something now that I wasn’t quite mature enough to enjoy as a kid.