Emery Album: “I'm Only a Man”

People are giving this album poor reviews because Emery dropped the screamo/hardcore edge for this release. Ignore them. Emery has crafted their most mature album to date.

The music is similar to "The Question", albeit with greatly reduced screaming. Emery writes complex songs lacking a conventional song structure and utilizes a plethora of instruments to perform them. Whats great about this album, however, is the faint (but delicious) "dance groove" interwoven throughout the album ("The Party Song" and "Don't Bore us, Get To The Chorus" are the most obvious). Toss in some excellent throwbacks to Queen, and the best groups the 80s and 90s had to offer, and you have yourself an infectious rock album.

It seems emo/screamo children are incapable of appreciating an album written by a band who is exploring a fresh musical direction. Regardless, "I'm Only A Man" proves Emery is man enough to drop out of their comfort zone and churn out one of the best releases of the year (which also includes one of the most catchy songs of the year, "The Party Song"). Highly recommended.

First of all, let me say, that I am a big Emery fan. Have been since the release of The Weak's End when I hadn't even heard them before and didn't even like screaming, haha. Then, when The Question was released in 2005, I was pretty much blown away. Such a great album, even though there was less screaming. Let's face it, bands change and evolve their sound as they get older...and that's not necessarily a bad thing.

Unfortunately, I wasn't very excited for this album. After hearing "Don't Bore Us, Get to the Chorus" online, I was disappointed, even though I did enjoy "The Party Song", "Rock and Rule", and "After the Devil Beats His Wife". However, I have realized that you can't judge an album based on 1 song. Much of "I'm Only a Man" shows a side of Emery that hasn't been seen before. For instance, "World Away" and especially "Don't Bore Us...". I bought the special edition which has 5 bonus live/acoustic songs and a DVD featuring 2 concerts (1 acoustic and one from the Take Action! tour)and the making of the album. After listening to the album all the way through and watching the making of, it ocurred to me (in large part to an interview with Matt) why something seemed kind of off. Matt says that overall the majority of the songs only have 1 main guitar part, since the departure of Chopper on bass, they have had Devin and Toby switching on and off with bass, rather than guitar, so that only Matt is playing guitar now. Matt went on to say that since there was only one guitar they wanted there to be that open space of almost "nothingness" to just be there, where they had filled it in with more guitar parts in the past. I respect that they wanted to try something different, but I don't feel that it really works for Emery in this instance. I think the lack of a second guitar really takes away a lot from their sound, though they are still incredibly talented and creative. I truly wish that they would bring in a new bass player (not that Devin and Toby aren't good, that'd be a ridiculous thing to say), for the sole purpose of allowing Devin and Toby to go back to guitar and fill out their sound more. And one more thing...so what if they don't scream so much anymore?? Honestly, I don't understand why people made such a big deal about it even when The Question was released. Secondly, yes, Josh Head does screaming vocals in their concerts, but he hasn't recorded any screaming vocals on any of their albums prior to the deluxe edition of The Question (and that just on the acoustic version of Walls), but he finally does on I'm Only a Man, whereas, in the past Toby has done all the screaming for their albums.

I will say that this album has grown on me and I'm sure will continue to. Lastly, if you truly consider yourself a fan of this band (or any for that matter), when they put out a new album, don't expect it to blow away their previous release. In other words, don't hate this just because it isn't "The Question, Part 2". As awesome as that would be, these guys deserve more credit than that.

I dont exactly understand the negative reviews. Of course, it doesnt compare to "the weaks end" and "the question." In their defense though, those two albums were stellar, and to compare another album to those two is not fair by any means. To enjoy "I'm only a man," you have to enjoy the song where "the question" left off at.

"In a win, win situation," is where the question leaves off. And it is heavy on melody, and heavy on keyboards, and lacks screaming and breakdowns. Much like "I'm only a man." Not to say that one album is a continuation of another, but thats how "the question" signed off. Mellow and harmonic. Much like "I'm only a man."

As a lover of music in all shapes and forms, I love this album. It's a tamed down, heart felt album from Emery. They have never let me down before. And they didn't let me down this time. Surprisingly enough, it didnt leave me thirsty for breakdowns. I thoroughly enjoyed this album, and was quick to keep it on repeat. I give it a 4 out of 5.

If you are an Emery fan, you will probably like this one. Stand outs are "From Crib to Coffin" and "The Movie Song." The rest of the album grows on you. Its probably the weakest of their albums, but its a solid product. I would recommend The Question or even While Broken Hearts Prevail over this to someone new to the band. But, for die-hards, this is worth money.

The new album is really different with a bit of pop, dance and alternative mixed together which makes you need to listen to it a few times to get the feel of the music. I believe this record has fullfilled Emery fans finally a long awaiting for the new music which is not to be missed.