Screeching Weasel Album: “Emo”

THIS MAY BE ONE OF THE FINEST ALBUMS EVER RECORDED BY ANYBODY IN THE HISTORY OF PUNK MUSIC. LYRICALLY, THIS ALBUM TELLS THE STORY OF A LIFE THAT WE'VE ALL EXPERIENCED AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER AND BEN WEASEL PERSONALLY SUMS UP THE WAY WE ALL WISH WE COULD EXPRESS THOSE EMOTIONS. THE MUSIC SHOWS THE INFLUENCES AND THE RAW/LIVE FEEL, NOT SEEN IN A WEASEL ALBUM IN MANY YEARS. THESE TWELVE TRACKS ARE FILLED WITH INTENSITY AND WILL HOPEFULLY SOMEDAY BE CONSIDERED PUNK ROCK CLASSICS. A NECESSARY ALBUM FOR YOUR COLLECTION.

For someone who had lost faith in music in general, punk in particular, this album came as quite a surprise. This is a manifesto of personal beliefs, a dark and deeply emotional record, and Screeching Weasel was a very unlikely source for such an album. Coming back from a few very lackluster albums for Fat Wreck Chords, Ben Wesel takes over guitar once again and delivers what is, more then any other before, essentially HIS album, a solo expression of the beauty and pain of life. The music recaptures the energy of their finest album, Anthem for a New Tomorrow, which in my opinion they had never come close to equaling before. This album is similar in many ways to that one, being as it is focused on more serious issues then one would usually exect from the always uneven Screeching Weasel. The music is rough and to the point. It is the lyrics that get the spotlight, and for good reason. On firt listen, with no lyrics sheet, it is a standard SW album, but somethign seems darker. Possibly it's the near-lack of the characeristic backing vocals. But on a read-through of the lyrics-sheet you begin to realize what it is all about, and not only the album. There is raw emotional honesty, a directness of thought, that has been lacking in so much muisc of the last few years. For anyone who appreciates truly emotional music, even those who belive they hate 3-chord punk rock, this album deserves to be heard. It renewed my hope, in music and even just in life. This is the kind of album that can make you just look a the world and be thankful for who you are even in the toughest of situations.

Wow, what a change. Similar to Lagwagons early move from metal riffs to more melodious punk and quality lyrics...this album is not what Screechin Weasel originally set out to do, and probably alienated a bunch of fans in the process...but damn is it a change for the better. They traded catchy choruses and humour for gut and emotion. Punk rock at it's best.

People expecting typical fast,catchy, and snotty S.W. are probably going to be disappointed with Emo. Emo seems to me to be more like a Ben Weasel solo album- the songs are far more personal and heartfelt than any other S.W. work. Ben knows what it's like trying to live up to a flawed punk rock ethic, and if you do too, then Emo will really resonate with you. Even if you don't, if you can appreciate one guy trying to make a statement about his life with some great songs, then buy Emo

Screeching Weasel fans, take note: This is not an album to pop into your player and listen to casually. A refreshing change from political or simply satirical punk, Emo takes the personal and emotional and makes it so affecting that you can't ignore it. Many people, expecting another album like Beat Is On The Brat or Teen Punks In Heat may be disappointed. However, anyone that listens to this album openly and tries their best to grasp the meanings should be pleasently suprised. From "Acknowledge" a manifesto of personal enlightenment, to "Passion" a track about embracing life, SW has created a perfect album, marred only with the presence of "Linger", a cover of the Cranberries that seems unsuited and ill-fitting when placed among the pieces of genius this album contains. Though it has recieved many negative reviews in the past, this album is the best of punk: deep, affecting, and resonant. I heartily reccommend you purchase this album, whomever you are.