This is War

In 2006, I came across a band (credit 93.3 for finding this music before any other CO radio station) named 30 Seconds to Mars. I remember sitting in Newspaper working on an article when I first heard "The Kill." It was unlike anything I had listened to before. It was dark, mysterious, cunning, and strangely uplifting. It was, by association, screamo music. At the time, I was definitely NOT into anything that involved screaming. But this was also during the time when my musical interests completely changed; in fact, "The Kill" probably had a lot to do with that change.

Later that year, another 30 Seconds to Mars single became an instant hit: "From Yesterday." This single became one of my most inspirational songs; it helped me prepare for races, basketball games, long runs, intervals, etc. It made such an impact on me that it rose all the way to No. 3 on my Rock 100, where it currently stands ("The Kill" sits at 29).

I've waited 3 very long years, but their new album, This is War, is finally here! And having listened to it constantly for a week, it trumps their last album, A Beautiful Lie, by a landslide. From start to finish, each and every song has the power to move mountains; it has the strength to defeat Goliath; it has the motivation needed for a courageous fight; most importantly, it has the voice to inspire dreams. In other words, it's pretty good:).

Not only is this my most anticipated album since Blink-182's self title six years ago this month, but it is also the best album, from beginning to end, since the All-American Rejects's self-titled album hit the shelves in the summer of 2003. It also got me thinking about the best albums I've purchased since my first modern rock album (Sugarcult: Start Static) was given to me on Halloween 2002. So, without further adieu, here are my Top 20 Albums of the Decade:

1) NINE DAYS: The Madding Crowd
2) ALL-AMERICAN REJECTS: The All-American Rejects
3) 30 SECONDS TO MARS: This is War
4) RISE AGAINST: Appeal to Reason
5) JIMMY EAT WORLD: Chase This Light
6) BLINK-182: Blink-182
7) THE FRAY: The Fray
8) RISE AGAINST: The Sufferer & the Witness
9) ANGELS & AIRWAVES: I-Empire
10) JIMMY EAT WORLD: Futures
11) LUCKY BOYS CONFUSION: Commitment
12) YELLOWCARD: Ocean Avenue
13) THE FRAY: How to Save a Life
14) ALL-AMERICAN REJECTS: Move Along
15) GOOD CHARLOTTE: The Young and the Hopeless
16) NEW FOUND GLORY: Sticks and Stones
17) SIMPLE PLAN: No Pads, No Helmets, Just Balls
18) 30 SECONDS TO MARS: A Beautiful Lie
19) NEW FOUND GLORY: Catalyst
20) PARAMORE: Riot!

This is War officially puts 30 Seconds to Mars up with Rise Against, All-American Rejects, The Fray, and Jimmy Eat World as my favorite bands of all time.

So go listen to This is War. You'll be inspired!