Disco de Emery: “In Shallow Seas We Sail”

One of the aspects of being a reviewer I've come to enjoy is the exposure to bands and artists you may have not heard otherwise. Emery will not be new to many of you. They've been with Tooth & Nail since their 2004 release, The Weak's End. They've developed quite a following and have enjoyed a fair amount of critical acclaim as well. Somehow, I've managed to live the last 5 years of my existence without hearing any of their music. I'd heard of them, of course, but had never gotten around to actually listening to any of their music.

Luckily for me, as a reviewer, I was required to listen to their latest release, In Shallow Seas We Sail. As I said, this was my introduction to the band, so I can't speak to comparisons to previous material, but if this album is indicative of the quality of that work, I'll be checking out those releases in the near future.

I'm not normally a fan of bands that incorporate screaming into their vocals, so I was initially a little turned off when the opening track, "Cutthroat Collapse," begins with some guttural proclamations. Very quickly, though, the vocals turn a different direction, combining catchy complimentary melodies with sugary-sweet harmonies amidst the screams. In fact, the screams almost serve to highlight what great voices these guys have. I thoroughly enjoyed the 2-voice multiple melodies being sung at the same time throughout many of the songs, which often then transitioned to harmonies.

These vocals are layered atop driving baselines and incredible guitar riffs within the intricately crafted rock songs. The writing here is extremely solid, both musically and lyrically, delving into multiple themes: broken relationships ("Curbside Goodbye," "Piggy Bank Lies"), fighting against temptation to sin ("A Sin To Hold On To," which also includes the best harmonies on the album), and death ("Dear Death" parts 1 and 2). "Dear Death Part 2" particularly hit me lyrically, especially these lines:

Oh, God, are you listening now?

As this cancer dances through her, and then takes a bow.

It won't disappoint the crowd, whose word is a curse, as I hear them one-by-one.

Please pull the string, and I come undone.

Chilling.

The music throughout creates the perfect backdrop to deliver the emotionally-charged vocals, which again, are the highlight of the album for me.

The music is charged with energy, but it's a harnessed energy that keeps the tracks from losing control into chaos. The songs are constructed carefully, while avoiding the "over-produced" feeling that many veteran bands can suffer from at this point in their career. Maybe it's the screaming and silky vocals, but there's a polished abrasiveness to the music. Occasionally, it simultaneously pumps you up and gives you chills within the same section.

Emery has already proven they have staying power, and this album ensures they're not going anywhere anytime soon. I thoroughly enjoyed these songs, and this is definitely in the running for my favorite album of the year. They're not exactly breaking entirely new ground here in the genre, but I'm a big fan of the piece of land where they've chosen to reside.

This album is really good. I'm not usually a fan of "screamo" music, but Emery has a great style that uses elements of hard rock to give a more full sound to melodic punk rock. The themes of the songs are really good too. I've really enjoyed listening to this album over and over again. Great workout music!

This album, like everything else Emery has put out, is amazing. Some of the best music I have heard in my life. This album has a ton of energy while showing that Emery are still great artists. I am looking forward to more music from them.

Fans of Emery should have still been fans when they released "Im Only A Man". It was still Emery but sometime to grow as a musician and as a band you have to experiment. That was what some of "Im Only A Man" was. We even saw it on some of "The Question". Now they have come back with this CD that is a culmination of the work done on "The Question" and I'm Only A Man". If you were to combine the musical styling on the 2 CD's you would get exactly what is on this CD. It has the heavy sound while still remaining eloquent with beautiful harmonies and great melodies. There is a scream here or a heavy gutiar riff there but never over doing it. There is a lot of growth also lyrically. Tackling some issue such as death, relationships, temptation, and doubt. If you gave up on Emery after "I'm Only A Man" you gave up to soon. Every band that is going to make a career out of music has that one CD that is like "I'm Only A Man". But it is what helps them grow. And that is what it is all about. Buy "In Shallow Seas We Sail" and if you haven't bought "I'm Only A Man" because your friend or someone said it is not a good CD, buy it as well. Heck throw in one more CD and you will probably have enough for free shipping.

I can't get over how engaging this album is. The choruses are complex and layered; music that was definitely devised by sheer talent. If anyone is an Emery fan, this will be your favorite album by them BY FAR. If you're not an Emery fan, listening to this album will make you one.