Vulnerable (Deluxe Edition)by The Used

"Vulnerable" is the best album The Used have written since their debut way back in 2002. They've finally found the sound that works best for them, which involves making a statement by changing styles throughout the entire hour plus of this deluxe version. Opening with "I Come Alive" is a brilliant move, as it is indicative of the blending of styles with punk, emo, dubstep, and metalcore that The Used has always been an amalgam of. That leads in abruptly to the energetic "This Fire" and the experimental vocals and dance beat of "Hands and Faces". From the beginning to the end of "Vulnerable", it is clear that The Used is reinvigorated and shows no signs of slowing down in their 30s now. The album highlights are the strangely life-affirming "Shine" and "Moving On" as well as the plaintive and beautiful closer "Together Burning Bright". The Used will surely be Burning Bright for a long time to come.