Artwork was produced by Panic at the Disco's producer Matt Squire, making this their first studio album not produced by John Feldmann. According to previous interviews, the band wanted to stretch their musical finesse and achieve a sound that was very distinct, heavier, and noisier than their previous releases. They seemed to achieve their goal.

The four-piece band comprised of Bert McCracken, lead vox, keyboard/piano, Quinn Allman, guitar, backing vocals, Jeph Howard, bass, backing vocals, and Dan Whitesides, drums., percussion, effortlessly blend Emo, Screamo and heavy metal without blinking an eye. Having played in this configuration since 2006, The Used has acquired more than a decent amount of mainstream success; they have managed to snag Gold and Platinum statuses in more than six countries worldwide.

Blood on My Hands, the album's kick-start track, with guest vocals Joseph McCracken, Jed Blecker, and Killer Dayton Killian, is slightly reminiscent of Nine Inch Nails meets Limp Bizkit and a dash of Henry Rollins. Empty With you is a raw, energy-infused track with infectious vocals and driving guitar licks. Kissing You Goodbye is one of my favorite tracks lyrically, though it does battle Come Undone. On the Cross, Sold my Soul, and Men are all the Same carry the underlined self-deprecating theme under a post-hardcore sound.

In the early years of self-discovery, life seems impossibly difficult, insurmountable, and laden with indescribable meaning. The Used's album Artwork captures this sensitive period in a young adults life, unapologetically exposing the burns and bruises of loneliness, self-loathing, and self-pitying themes as exemplified on tracks like Meant to Die, Come Undone, and Watered Down. Each album track is heavy hearted, imploring, and searching as if there were no limit to analyzing the depths of ones soul. If there is a better album that encapsulates the emotionally numb, para-suicidal millennial generation, I can't think of it.