 | Tracklist:
1. So Cold I Can See My Breath
2. Playing with Fire
3. Returning the Smile You Have Had from the Start
4. Studying Politics
5. Left with Alibis and Lying Eyes
6. Listening to Freddy Mercury
7. The Weakest
8. Miss Behavin�
9. In Between 4th and 2nd Street
10. The Terrible Secret
11. In a Lose, Lose Situation
12. In a Win, Win Situation
| Ranking: #172 for 2005 | |
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On 18 Lists
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5 of 7 thought this review was well written
Emery soared into the world of screamo/pop-punk hybrids in 2004 with the fantastic debut The Weak's End. Their mixture of melodic riffs combined with memorable lyrics sung and screamed simulatiniously made them a hit in the scene, even though their album maybe wasn't as popular as it could have been. Now, it's 2005 and buzz was being circulated about their sophomore effort. Will The Question match up to their previous record?
We begin the album with the upbeat "So Cold I Can See My Breath", quickly changing tempos throughout the song. It works well, and that few seconds of energy busrting into a cleaner, much more melodic verse really pulls you in. After 3 and a half minutes of energetic bursts of distortion and criss-crossing vicious screams with harmonic singing, the record pushes into a sort of Killers sounding track. Wavey synth melodies lead you into the song with the full band and the occasional electronica backing music. It works well, and continues the bands high energy yet the heaviness comes down and the screams disappear.
The record follows this "fast and heavy/slower and more singing" path throughout the new few songs, although each have their own variations which give the listener that feel of no repetitiveness. We then rush through 2 more mixtures of the 2 styles Emery are reknown for from their debut, and honestly, it starts to get old fast. "Miss Behavin'", although beginning so solidly, tends to get boring and the dual screaming/singing pattern really adds nothing to the overdone melodic riffs.
"In Between 4th And 2nd Street" is uncessassry. I'm not a fan of interludes anyway, and the fact that this is so horrible, combining acoustic and piano melodies which are taken straight from a downtown play just add to it's corniness.
The album does end on a good note, just like it started, however. "In A Lose, Lose Situation" begins almost perfectly, very secluded and harmonic. It then drags you into the same old Emery song, but that introduction, that beautiful lead-in just makes you love the song. And "In A Win, Win Situation" adds to this 2-part special. Piano, drums and amazing vocals again serve as a fantastic introduction. A big change in sound to the previous song, and they fit so well together and end the album with a smile on my face.
Emery have always been written off as another Thursday clone. They have the same styles I guess, and Emery's singer definately tries to sound like Geoff. That being said, Emery will never be as good, and this album proves it. What starts out as a fresh and bold step into a musical scene where watered down bands replace the original sounds, Emery quickly slip under it's spell. The good note about this is that it ends a lot better than it plays in the middle.
If you're wondering what this album sounds like, go put The Weak's End back on and enjoy their debut. Then pick this up and compare them both, and see for yourself.
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I'm actually a big fan of the single, Studying Politics. I'll have to check out the album in its entirety.
Digging: Bombay Bicycle Club - I Had The Blues But I Shook Them Loose
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i dont think much of this band
good review
| | | Album Rating: 4
Not as good as The Weaks End lyricaly, but in musicianship it is much better.
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
A big let down for me. I guess I had some high expectations for this album but it just came out to be very very boring. I tried to listen to it but it just couldn't hold my attention for more than 3-4 plays through.
Digging: Radiohead - In Rainbows | | | Album Rating: 3.5
pretty decend album, i like The Weaks End better tho, but this has some good tunes. good review man
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
The lyrics aren't too hot on either the debut or this follow-up... but come on, THIS is crap. Where are all the great moments like "the Secret," "As your Voice Fades," or the end of "By all Accounts"?
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saw them live too as my band played an undrgrnd show next door to them and they werent anything special. very generic. pretty good review
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i like both cd's. maybe im too easily won-over by bands. but i guess in the end..i just enjoy more music.
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
No, this is a great band, Jordanshowalter. Seeing them live soon.
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these guys blew my mind when i heard 'walls, and "fractions" i havent heard alot from this cd though i did like what i hav heard
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
This CD is quite a bit different from the Weak's End, but I think it's a very well thought out and more varied album. I love it, I can't understand the bad rap it's gotten with a lot of emery fans.
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They are christian and that makes them even more awesome!
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Wasn't at all blown over by this album. Emery have a few very good songs such as Walls,Fractions and As your voice fades but the rest get repetitive after 5 hearings.
I like the fact that they are indeed a christian rock band. BTW if u wanna hear thm out go to emerymusic.com
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
I laugh at the fact that someone changed Emery to nu-metal.
This is the best of their two records hands down.This Message Edited On 05.03.06
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Both records have really grown on me lately. Emery has become one of my favorite all-time bands.
| | | Album Rating: 4
God I love the vocal harmonizing on this record.
Digging: Brand New - Daisy | | | Album Rating: 4.5
This album is way good.
And... thursday clone?? Wtf?
Digging: Massive Attack - Mezzanine | | | Album Rating: 3.5
I never saw the Thursday clone thing either.
Digging: Between The Buried And Me - The Great Misdirect | | | Album Rating: 3.5
They sure know how to construct vocals in various ways that make them outstanding from other bands. Proper,creative, and innovative.
| | | Album Rating: 4
yeah this band is truly great...they have grown on me quite a bit over the year and i really look forward to their new cd.
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