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The bitter sweetness that accompanies unoriginality is, no matter how well done the music is, or if the sound has been “pulled-off” before, many will use this simple fact to discredit new acts. Emery’s debut “The Weak’s End” found its place amongst already established groups such as Hawthorne Heights and Story of the Year. Despite their unoriginality, in an industry flooded with “emo,” Emery skyrocketed onto the PureVolume charts and landed spots on tours such as the “Vans Warped Tour.” The album carried a rather depressing tone, with many of the songs pertaining to broken relationships and the various downfalls of the human heart. Integrating raged laden screams with harmonious smooth vocals, “The Weak’s End” saw the success of singles such as “Walls” and “The Ponytail Parades.”
In 2005, Emery released “The Question,” slightly departing from the signature sadness that pervaded “The Weak End,” and offered emo rock lightly sprinkled with pop, and even some electronica tones, without abandoning the screams that intensified their first CD. “I’m Only a Man” fuses together the tones of the first two CD’s, showing maturity in some areas, and immaturity in others.
Opening “I’m Only a Man” is the unorthodox “Rock and Rule,” which cycles through numerous tones, creating sort of an originality not found in every band. Moving along, is “The Party Song,” a well-crafted sing along tune, which is not terribly amazing, but far from bad. Here’s where some of the trouble brews. Outside of “The Party Song,” the CD is very unconventional, and although many would interpret this to be a good thing, it sometimes comes across as awkward. For example, “The Movie Song” repeatedly changes time signatures, which shows creativity and sounds good in theory, but sounds rather awkward when listening. However, the irregularity is not all bad. “Story about a Man with a Bad Heart” is far from radio friendly, yet is very emotionally powerful and memorable. Fans that feared Emery may have mellowed out need not worry as the screams are plugged into all the right places. However, those outside the “scene” will not understand their necessity. Highlights include “Rock and Rule,” “After the Devil Beats His Wife,” and “You Think Your Nickel Slick (But I Got Your Penny Change).” However, on the down side, songs such as the acoustic, poppy, and upbeat “World Away” sounds extremely out of place on “I’m Only a Man” The complaint is not about the style itself, but the actual job of pulling it off.
Lyrically, “I’m Only a Man” surveys the various failures of the human heart, from topics such as adultery to the fake fantasy world a drug-induced life can create. Despite the dark topics, the goal of the band is not to bring others down, but rather reflect on situations that could have been dealt with in a much better fashion. For example, in “Story of a Man with a Bad Heart,” the lyrics end with “Is this sin… is this how I’ve spent my life, lying here, with a broken heart on bedroom floors, and finally… finally… I’ve realized… I’ve realized that I’m only a man.” The theme covers the persistent up and down nature of life, and how hindsight changes what was perceived as reality.
Overall, “I’m Only a Man” is semi-solid. The unconventional song structures and rapid change of tones may appeal to some, but it’s doubtful to pick up new fans. And that’s ok, as not every CD in the music world needs to be radio friendly. However, Emery’s structures just seem plain awkward at times.
Regardless, this highly anticipated release is bound to sell copies, and well enough so, as their last two CD’s consisted of very solid song lineups. Just be sure to check out their PureVolume before making a purchase.
| Production | 6 | | Lyrics | 8 | | Message | 4 | | Overall Quality
6 |
Release Date: October 2, 2007
Label: Tooth and Nail Records
Track Listing
1. Rock and Rule
2. The Party Song
3. World Apart
4. After the Devil Beats His Wife
5. Can’t Stop The Killer
6. Story About a Man With a Bad Heart
7. Don’t Bore Us, Get to the Chorus
8. What Makes a Man a Man
9. The Movie Song
10. You Think You’re Nickel Slick (But I Got Your Penny Change)
11. From Crib to Coffin
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