30 Seconds to Mars
by Thirty Seconds to Mars
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 177 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 153 out of 177
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 177
  3. Negative: 16 out of 177

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. dan52484
    Oct 12, 2010
    10
    Awesome album, not sure why people dislike it but at the same time that would make sense do to the fact that most people don't like this sort of music. I liked this album, however we can't always be on pills like these sense we all need to get back to reality.
  2. MaxM.
    Sep 11, 2002
    8
    I find Jared Leto's debut impressive. 30 seconds to Mars may be a bit rough around the edges but they sound as if they are on the verge of becoming a phenomenal and unforgettable band. They have "breathed life" back into the media circus that has forcefed us with trash like Britney Spears, Nelly and Linkin Park. Give 'em a shot Max
  3. ScottS
    Oct 6, 2005
    10
    Despite being critically panned for Leto's sci-fi lyrics, which I happen to like, I think this is one of the best hard rock efforts in the last few years. All the songs are listenable, heavy, and thought-provoking. I've probably listened to it a 100 times and I don't exactly have time to waste on 'pretty good' CDs. Excellent work and highly recommended.
  4. marcoo
    Jun 2, 2005
    10
    it's hard to categorize this album... it has a dark, dramatic and sometimes desperate feeling, progressive passages and great guitarwork... don't call this rock or, worse, grunge (!)... this is "almost" gothic metal at its best. simply one of my favourite albums of all times.
  5. IvozzR
    Sep 7, 2006
    9
    Great!
  6. TheDandroid
    Mar 9, 2008
    9
    Just wanted to say to all the weak minded fools out there that jump on the 'we shouldn't like this album because it's made by an actor' bandwagon, that it does require brains to like this superior kind of music, and you should form your own opinions rather than be guided by the cynical press. adios.
  7. AngelaB.
    Oct 9, 2002
    10
    Very satisfying, soothing medicine. My new very favorite.
  8. AmandaP.
    Sep 10, 2002
    10
    Everybody knows it's not a good idea for actors to become rock stars (Keanu Reeves...Russell Crowe...Kevin Bacon), but in this case, Jared Leto proves he can do it - and well. His new band, 30 Seconds To Mars, is very promising, and they showcase a sound that is unique in a world of cookie cutter pop acts and yes, cookie cutter rock bands. Leto has the perfect voice for his anthemic Everybody knows it's not a good idea for actors to become rock stars (Keanu Reeves...Russell Crowe...Kevin Bacon), but in this case, Jared Leto proves he can do it - and well. His new band, 30 Seconds To Mars, is very promising, and they showcase a sound that is unique in a world of cookie cutter pop acts and yes, cookie cutter rock bands. Leto has the perfect voice for his anthemic space-y rock, which has a brooding and futuristic tone. The first time, many of the tracks on their disc may sound similar, but a closer listen unveils the complex thoughts and patterns in each song. 30 Seconds to Mars? sound has been compared to the Cure to Peter Gabriel to Pink Floyd to Rush; it?s something you won?t find in any other modern rock band. Crisp harmonies and driving guitars propel the album along with thought-provoking poetry. The lyrics may be a bit out there, but as Leto said in an interview, "there are enough guys out there singing about their girlfriends and fathers. And doing a good job of it." Would we really want to hear about his problems with Cameron Diaz? Leto is poignant and passionate, and listeners will be drawn to his music. One has to give Leto credit for not using his pretty face to sell the record - neither the band's website nor the album's liner notes has a single photo of Leto. He's trying to make it based on the music, and from the looks of it, he will. … Expand
  9. DAveS
    Sep 1, 2002
    10
    30STM has done what very few bands, let alone rock bands have been able to do. 30STM creates an album with music that is more composed than just the repitition of a few chords, very similarly to the band Tool. In an industry where most bands have little musical talent, or are just another linkin park, limp bizkit, rock/rap genre, it's refreshing to see a band with actual talent make it.
  10. SamH
    Mar 10, 2003
    10
    This CD is awesome! Jared himself as well as his voice are beautiful!
  11. JustinP
    Mar 6, 2003
    10
    This is one of the most amazing albums that I've personally ever heard. The fact that he does sing about soace and astronomy so much just adds their own touch. I'm glad they don't fit into the mainstream genre. Check this album out, and just sit back and enjoy this masterpiece.
  12. DavidK
    Jan 9, 2005
    10
    I own the CD and I am now a HUGE fan of 30 seconds to mars, I love them, from the spine tingling notes Leto hits, to the rightous drumming, and though I'm not into the whole sci-fi lyrical form I love these guys!!!
  13. Kylie-annPine
    Mar 22, 2005
    9
    So different, great sounds, great music, great people.
  14. sterlingxcore
    Jan 8, 2007
    9
    It's not surprising that people who don't like the album lack good grammar skills. The album is too smart for you. While it's not flawless, it is an extremely well made album. You've got to have brains to "get it". If you're blindly going to insult a bands work, at least learn basic english skills.
  15. Blasikov
    Oct 1, 2002
    10
    Sweet action. I keep listening to it, I can't STOP. HELP ME!!!!
  16. JesseW.
    Oct 3, 2002
    9
    I bought this album after I saw the video for Capricorn. I am a huge fan of Incubus and I heard they were touring with them. I figured after that it was time to get it. It's a great album with cutting edge techno thrown into the mix. If there is anything wrong with this album it would be the repetitive lyrics. Otherwise, it's a must buy for 2002.
  17. MitchC.
    Oct 5, 2002
    10
    I haven;t heard a cd this good since KMFDM's ATTAK. Completely Awesome!
  18. ShimazuF.
    Oct 7, 2002
    10
    Tis a damn spanky effort. the boy's done good, really good!
  19. elevateCOERCION
    Aug 29, 2002
    9
    Jared and Shannon Leto got the bum end of the deal when their production team decided to screw up the liner notes and the actual cd press (creating gaps instead of smooth crossovers between tracks). And that's too bad, because they have been successful in cloning Linkin Park, taking out any "nu-metal" influence (especially the whiny, woe-is-me lyrics), throwing in some twists, and Jared and Shannon Leto got the bum end of the deal when their production team decided to screw up the liner notes and the actual cd press (creating gaps instead of smooth crossovers between tracks). And that's too bad, because they have been successful in cloning Linkin Park, taking out any "nu-metal" influence (especially the whiny, woe-is-me lyrics), throwing in some twists, and creating an incredible, spatial tribute to the future and realization of it. Of course, 30STM can't fully escape a corporate rock label, considering most songs on the CD are done in a verse-chorus-verse-chorus-bridge-chorus fashion, but i'm not complaining. With the hopeful "Capricorn," two-sided "Buddha For Mary," and driving "The Mission," 30STM have quitely secured a place in the graces of good, solid rock and roll.… Expand
  20. LaurenH.
    Sep 28, 2002
    10
    The songs on the album are great!, 30 seconds from mars is tha best!!!
  21. [Anonymous]
    Sep 4, 2002
    9
    This cd sets a great atmosphere.
  22. LauraO
    Mar 29, 2005
    10
    can't I give 11? This can't be a too bad album, because I have listened it a few weeks on a row, and it still sounds as good as when I got it! Jared is great, his voice matching the music perfectly. The lyrics... I have hears worse, and by now, I haven't noticed anything crappy in them! While waiting for the next demo... let's listen to this album! :)
  23. AndrewK
    Apr 8, 2006
    9
    This is a great CD that strays away from the corporate machine that so many pontentialy good bands have lost themselves to. The lyrics and music takes you to another world that I could and have gotten lost in for hours. Highly recomended. Also this album is much much better than their second (a beautiful lie). PS, anyone living in calgary, alta. they are playing at the Whiskey April.11. Peace
  24. carolines
    Feb 27, 2007
    0
    Leto: go back to acting. ASAP.
  25. ng
    Aug 20, 2007
    9
    Mmmmm... yummy... Care less about the critics.
  26. JohnnyR.
    Jan 21, 2008
    10
    Great album, the musical complexity here is amazing. Not to mention that Jared Leto played almost all the instruments.
  27. ChristineW.
    Feb 26, 2008
    10
    the band in my opinion sets a good example to us teenagers and their music is unbelieveable good.
  28. KaraR
    Jul 16, 2008
    5
    I've noticed comments that this CD (and band) is unappreciated, and that most don't give it a chance because it is "not popular". However, though I am a Jared Leto fan, I find his band to be simply unoriginal. The overall feel of the album is sophomoric at best, without any effort to be different. This album IS popular, mostly due to the main singer's appeal and the fact I've noticed comments that this CD (and band) is unappreciated, and that most don't give it a chance because it is "not popular". However, though I am a Jared Leto fan, I find his band to be simply unoriginal. The overall feel of the album is sophomoric at best, without any effort to be different. This album IS popular, mostly due to the main singer's appeal and the fact that it fits into that certain, mediocre niche, that appeals to the masses.… Expand
  29. DaredP
    May 11, 2009
    0
    This band sucks. Jared Leto sucks. That sums it up. They make Nickleback look like Bach by comparison.
  30. AnthonyG.
    Oct 11, 2002
    10
    when i got my incubus tickets and 30 seconds to mars was the opener, i never heard of them so i went to the store and the cd was 6.88 you cant beat that, i trrew it in my cd player and was mesmerized by the way the heavy guitars, didnt overshadow the singers voice which caps of the amazing preformances on the album. after the listen i hoped on line to find out more only to be shocked that when i got my incubus tickets and 30 seconds to mars was the opener, i never heard of them so i went to the store and the cd was 6.88 you cant beat that, i trrew it in my cd player and was mesmerized by the way the heavy guitars, didnt overshadow the singers voice which caps of the amazing preformances on the album. after the listen i hoped on line to find out more only to be shocked that the voice i just heard was jared leto, jared deservse all the respect we give to other great singers as well as to his band kudos to 30 seconds to mars. i was even more impressed at the concert with how they treated there fans, they talked to me for about 10 minutes about the album and none of them includeing jared acted like they were better then you. class acts. these guys care about the music… Expand
prev
Page:

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
60

Mixed or average reviews - based on 5 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. AllMusic
    Nov 11, 2015
    90
    30 Seconds to Mars has managed to record an album that breathes life into the empty shell that corporate rock has become, and in reanimating an avenue of musical expression that has for many years been on its deathbed, has quite possibly offered the single best rock experience of 2002.
    Read full review
  2. Blender
    60
    30STM manage a high-minded space opera of epic scope befitting prog-rock prototypes Rush. [#9, p.142]
  3. Q Magazine
    40
    The album has a polished sheen, but Leto's delivery of his earnest, sci-fi-tinged lyrics gets monotonous over the course of the album. [Dec 2002, p.96]
See all critic reviews »