Description
Thirty Seconds To Mars – A Beautiful Lie – Vinyl Record
“A Beautiful Lie” is the second studio album by Thirty Seconds to Mars, released on August 30, 2005, via Immortal Records and Virgin Records. This album marked a significant turning point for the band—both in terms of sound and mainstream exposure. While their self-titled debut leaned heavily into progressive and experimental space rock, A Beautiful Lie showcased a more accessible, emotionally-driven alternative rock sound, infused with post-hardcore energy and polished, arena-ready production. It was a bold artistic statement that helped catapult Jared Leto and his bandmates into the upper ranks of 2000s rock.
Compared to the band’s 2002 debut, which was rooted in dense, conceptual sci-fi themes and layered production, A Beautiful Lie is far more personal and direct. Jared Leto, who is not only the frontman but also a key creative force behind the band’s vision, wrote many of the songs while filming movies on location—often in isolation, which added to the raw, confessional tone of the lyrics.
Musically, the album blends alternative rock, emo, and post-grunge, with flourishes of industrial rock and synth textures. The production is tighter and more radio-friendly, yet still carries a grand, cinematic quality. Leto’s vocals are a focal point throughout—ranging from whisper-soft introspection to soaring, anguished screams.
The album was produced by Josh Abraham, whose credits include Linkin Park and Velvet Revolver, and his work here strikes a balance between mainstream appeal and a lingering experimental edge.
Standout Tracks
“Attack” – The opening track and one of the last songs added to the album. It immediately sets the tone: explosive guitars, intense vocals, and a chorus built for catharsis. It’s often regarded as one of the band’s best songs.
“A Beautiful Lie” – The title track delves into themes of deception, truth, and emotional conflict. Its atmospheric buildup and chorus showcase the band’s ability to fuse rock with a cinematic sense of drama.
“The Kill (Bury Me)” – The breakout hit. A deeply emotional track about identity and self-confrontation, it became a defining single for the band, earning heavy rotation on radio and MTV. The music video, a psychological homage to The Shining, helped solidify their visual identity and alternative cred. This song remains a staple of their live shows.
“From Yesterday” – Released with one of the most ambitious music videos of its time (shot entirely in China, directed by Jared Leto under a pseudonym), this track combines sweeping production with introspective lyrics. Its haunting chorus and dynamic progression made it another hit single.
“Was It a Dream?” and “The Fantasy” – These deep cuts highlight the band’s melodic side, with layered guitars and emotionally charged lyricism that builds on themes of longing, regret, and the duality of love and pain.
At its heart, A Beautiful Lie is about duality and transformation—the conflict between appearance and reality, the self we present versus the self we bury. Leto’s lyrics often circle themes of internal struggle, personal loss, emotional trauma, and rebirth. There’s a spiritual dimension too, especially in songs like “Savior” and “R-Evolve,” which explore the search for meaning in chaos.
The album captures the angst and existential searching of the mid-2000s alternative scene, aligning them loosely with bands like My Chemical Romance, AFI, and Breaking Benjamin, but with a more cinematic, emotionally expansive aesthetic.
A Beautiful Lie received positive reviews from critics and was embraced by fans, selling over 4 million copies worldwide. It was the album that broke Thirty Seconds to Mars into the mainstream, earning them MTV Video Music Awards, Kerrang! Awards, and a devoted fanbase known as The Echelon.
More than just a collection of songs, the album became the foundation of the band’s mythology and branding—combining music with powerful visuals, symbol-driven artwork, and immersive fan experiences. Jared Leto’s dual identity as actor and rock frontman added intrigue, but it was the music and emotional authenticity that ultimately resonated.
A Beautiful Lie stands as a defining album of the 2000s alt-rock movement—emotional, theatrical, and unafraid to be vulnerable.
Brand new, never played and still in the factory plastic
Track Listing
Attack
A Beautiful Lie
The Kill
Was It A Dream?
The Fantasy
Savior
From Yesterday
The Story
R-Evolve
A Modern Myth
Praying For A Riot
Battle Of One
Hunter
