 | Tracklist:
1. A Toast to the future kids! 3:49
2. Pretend.Relive.Regret 4:09
3. Share the sunshine young blood 3:00
4. Truth hurts while laying on your back 3:40
5. Live IT. Love IT, Lust IT 3:52
6. The game played right 4:04
7. Broken VS the way we were born 4:31
8. I still feel her PT 4 3:26
9. The weight of love blinds eyes 3:35
10. We are life 4:00
| Ranking: #148 for 2010 | |
| | other reviews | Chevy182 (4)
Not a huge step forward but shows enough to appreciate vast progression and effort.... | nebuzad0 (3.5)
Emarosa's new album is something that truly trumps her previous ventures, both in music and in reali... | Tristan (3.5)
A more thoughtful approach to songwriting, this is a band that has come a long way since their heavi... | Dave Yarkovsky (3)
Could have been a great album, but is held back by moments of apathy by Jonny Craig in particular.... |
On 44 Lists
|
| Summary: So here's to starting over, the future's mine to claim. |
14 of 14 thought this review was well written
Rise Records have a history of signing some the least credible bands in music; bands that it would seem have been created for the sole purpose of giving internet forums across the entire musical spectrum a collective target at which they can channel all of their hatred. Then something crazy happened, Rise Records decided to sign another band whose debut EP only hinted at a continuation of the trend, featuring whiny vocals and chug chug instrumentation that would surely illicit such witty responses as ‘needs moar breakdowns’. Emarosa’s Rise Records debut, however, was a far cry from their previous offering, recruiting Jonny Craig of Dance Gavin Dance fame to perform vocal duties, ‘Relativity’ consisted of melodic post-hardcore with soaring vocal lines and experimental song structures, essentially giving the middle finger to all the potential haters. With such a hype surrounding the first LP, one may be forgiven for doubting the band’s ability to ever follow up with anything comparatively decent. Emarosa’s self titled second offering will silence the doubters.
Of course, it would not be an Emarosa review without having a section devoted to Jonny Craig. Quite simply, Craig possesses a phenomenal gift for singing, a gift that he has demonstrated consistently since the early days of Dance Gavin Dance. Whereas Relativity was the record of a band who were intent on creating complex songs in which the instrumentation and vocals were to be considered equal, Craig’s vocals are very much at the forefront this time, and for good reason. His transitions from soft soulful swooning to powerful gritty wails are impeccable, a versatility that is marginally unmatched by anyone else in the current ‘post-hardcore scene’. None demonstrates this more potently than opening track ‘Here’s to the Future, Kids’, in which Craig’s voice appears to have been given free reign to do whatever it wants, and so is able to display both ends of his vocal range.
As aforementioned, the instrumentation has taken a comparative back seat to the vocals in this release, though this is not necessarily detrimental musically. The rhythm section is as tight as ever, and the crystal clear production allows for each member of the band to shine at various parts (albeit often very briefly), whereas previously the instruments appear to have been more blended, almost in the style of a drone. The inclusion of more traditional song structures and (shock horror) actual choruses allows for a more accessible sound and whilst this takes away from the complexity and experimentation that had previously been considered one of their most appealing factors by such a select audience, it allows for the record to appeal to a more wide reaching demographic and is effectively one of the great features of the band’s new sound.
That is not to say, however, that there are no low points to the record. Anyone familiar with the ‘I Still Feel Her’ series will probably not have been too surprised to see the inclusion of a fourth installment here. Whilst not a poor track in itself, it does beg the question of how long this seemingly never ending succession will continue. Has anyone actually listened to Bat out of Hell Part III? I rest my case. Furthermore, there is some limitation in song variation, which is ultimately the most major downfall of an otherwise great record. There are a lot of clean passages led by solid drumming and soft vocals followed by big distorted choruses which, whilst impressive and often dynamically sound, eventually reach a stage of overkill by the end of the album.
So is ‘Emarosa’ a progression in sound fitting of the hype? The answer is a resounding yes, with the band opting for a more accessible sound which allows for their Craig’s vocals to shine without compromising the effectiveness of his fellow musicians. There are hooks galore and an emotion that has been bubbling under the surface for quite some time. This is not the release of another Circa Survive rip off; this is the release of a band at the top of their game and at the peak of the current post-hardcore pile.
|
| Recent reviews by this author | | | |
Album Rating: 4
Stream: http://www.myspace.com/emarosa
| | |
I really like this record so far. It's missing something that made 'Relativity' such a good album, but this self titled release is definitely one of the best post-hardcore style releases we'll be hearing this year. Pos.
| | |
Relativity was good... but it was boring after the first couple tracks.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
I've only heard This is Your Way Out. How does this one and Relativity compare?
Digging: Art By Numbers - Reticence: The Musical | | | Album Rating: 4
Relativity is a much more mature record than This Is Your Way Out and its a massive improvement on the EP. This is an even better album, the three records are all very different. If you like more complex, thought provoking stuff I'd say go for Relativity but if you like more refined and solid style then go for this.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
I like the more complex stuff more. Thanks for the info.
| | | Album Rating: 3
are you serious?
relativity had experimental song structures?
anyways this album is pretty decent after the first 3 or 4 listens.
Digging: Billy Woods - History Will Absolve Me Digging: Billy Woods - History Will Absolve Me | | |
Also you forgot to mention to willie that TIYWO was a post hardcore band with screaming vocals, and then jonny craig
replaced that dude and now they have a lot of R&B influence.
| | | Album Rating: 4
Yeah Relativity pretty much had no real structure to most of its songs, you don't have to be Hella to have experimental song structures. And above that, its exceptionally experimental in respects to the genre.
And yeah I didn't really mention the change from screams to RnB influenced stuff, but I figured some of the Relativity reviews would have covered that for me.
| | |
I edited it cause i forgot to put in the "to willie" bit.
reviews good dude.
| | | Album Rating: 4
oh right haha, yeah I did, total mistake on my behalf.
| | | Album Rating: 3
my favs are We Are Life and I Still Feel Her
| | |
i really hate this band.
Digging: Plebeian Grandstand - How Hate is Hard to Define Digging: Plebeian Grandstand - How Hate is Hard to Define
| | |
band is bad
| | | Album Rating: 3
hi i'm johnny craig and i'm a dick head.
Digging: Grimes - Visions Digging: Grimes - Visions | | | Album Rating: 3
Relativity sucked. Just got this, let's hope it's better. If it wasn't for Jonny Craigs voice I wouldn't even have bothered with this.
Digging: Hands Like Houses - Ground Dweller Digging: Hands Like Houses - Ground Dweller | | | Album Rating: 4
hi i'm johnny craig and i'm a dick head.
I was tempted to mention his attitude problems in the review briefly but refrained from it. Nice dig btw, I played a show with those guys recently and they are legit.
| | | Album Rating: 3
no problem bro. yeah he was a complete dick to my friend but she's a girl so no surprise from his rep he'd do that.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
So, follow-up question: if I like these guys does that mean I should like that Dance Gavin Dance band.
| | | Album Rating: 3
no. dgd sucks now anyways.
| | | |
|
|
Stumble
Digg
Twitter
Del.icio.us
