Emery

There are a lot of reasons why bands release EPs. An EP, short for “Extended Play,” is essentially half and album or a collection of a few songs on a disc that’s not quite an album, not quite a whole. Sometimes an artist will release an EP as a chance to do something creatively different than their normal sound on full albums. Other times they simply just have a wide plethora of material they couldn’t fit on their full album, and are itching to put the songs out to their fans. And sometimes an artist will release an EP as a make up, “sorry for that last album” kind of apology to their fans.

Say what you want about Emery, but it seems their new EP When Broken Hearts Prevail leans more towards the final reason. I have been a fan of Emery since their first album, but when I heard their most recent LP I’m Only A Man, I was very disappointed. The edge of their sound was substituted on a lot of songs for generic, poppy, and sometimes almost corny melodies that left me baffled at their creative decisions. It was as if they were trying something new, and when it wasn’t working they just kept with it. There were some great songs on that album, some of their best, but overall, when compared with the band’s masterpiece The Question, it was a huge letdown.

This isn’t to say the band’s validity and talent are to be brought into question. It’s just that their creative decisions on that album didn’t really work as a whole like The Question did. Granted, the band probably put out an EP for a lot of reasons, and more likely just because they had some songs written they wanted to get to their fans ASAP. Whatever the case, if you’re like me and was disappointed with I’m Only A Man, this EP is more than enough to make up for it.

Let me put it to you straight, boys and girls. When Broken Hearts Prevail is smack-your-mamma awesome. Emery is at their best, coming at you with straightforward songs that make you sing from first listen and bring the edge right out front and in your face. The album starts with the fast paced and extremely catchy “The Smile, The Face.” From the very first line of the song that comes blasting in with high-pitched melody and the band backing it full force, it never relents. And the tone of the music fits the lyrics – a straightforward break-up song capped off by lyrics in the chorus which sound out proudly, “thought my heart is breaking open know that I will not be broken.”

It is the line drawn in the sand for the rest of the album. And the band plays fiercely through seven songs (eight with an alternate version of “Thoughtlife”) and each one thematically revolves around different situations all seen through the eyes of a relationship gone badly. It isn’t a gimmick, because each song is approached as a new theme with fresh takes on the same type of situation. The result is a fun, engaging album for the listener that is sure to translate to pure energy when played live.

“Say The Things (You Want)” is another example of the best energy this band can bring. Emery has always straddled the fence between several current musical genres including: rock, punk, emo, screamo, and some form of epic song writing I have only ever been able to describe as “showtunes” (but not in a wussy Broadway kind of way). This song blends all of those elements very well, and is immediately memorable from first listen. One of the best elements of listening to an Emery album has always been the drumming. Drummer Dave Powell hits hard on this song and all the others and adds that extra element to the energy and the fun.

Perhaps the best song on the EP is “Ten Talents,” which is one of their best songs period. It’s angst ridden and a little melancholy, but aggressive with an essence of hope thrown into the mix. The chorus is the best on the album and will suck you in and move you and have you singing along as you feel the emotion in singer Toby Morrell’s voice. The song ends with an outro that’s a pure emotional outpouring as Toby sings and second vocalist Devon Shelton echoes, “Your love is all we need / We’re gonna make it!”

The few missteps on the album come simply from the sequencing of it, as the first five songs are relentless energy, the final two songs drag the album to a slow halt. The alternate version of “Thoughtlife” is mainly just a piano-driven version of the song and the reason for including it leaves one to wonder, especially when the two versions are separated by one track. The album ends with the darker, slower “Do The Things (You Want)” preceding the alternate “Thoughtlife.” It’s a great song, but Emery has a history of ending albums with the epic sad song that just doesn’t fit the energy of this one.

Also, the argument can be made that the lyrical territory is nothing new for the band either, as they often use broken relationships as a metaphor for the themes of their songs. But this album is about prevailing in these situations, and they certainly don’t make light of them as is seen in “Edge of the World” where Toby sings “I know she’s just a girl, but she’s got me standing on the edge… I’m on the edge of the world.”

There’s an added weight and energy to When Broken Hearts Prevail that we have been left waiting for since the final track of The Question. The EP feels more like a sequel to that album. But whatever the reasoning for the band stepping into the studio for this one, they’ve made a statement with it. It’s sure to remind fans how great they are at writing edgy ballads and fun heavy rock songs, and bring new listeners into a fresh take on the current wave of those emo/ screamo wanna-bes with bad hair cuts. It’s an EP that feels like an LP that any fan of rock music who’s had a broken heart (or two) can relate to, and most likely will.

Tagged as: Emery, While Broken Hearts Prevail EP

↓ 3 comments

#1 John Wofford on October 25th, 2008 at 2:31 pm

I really want to check this one out. I’ve been, thus far anyway, keeping myself away from Emery because of the bad rep they got for their last album. I’ll ante up and finally give ‘em a shot. Top notch review, man!

#2 tyler h on October 29th, 2008 at 7:52 pm

emery at their best is an 8? i’ll never understand numbers.
i want this.
i love i’m only a man, it just wasn’t what emery fans expect from them

#3 kev on November 17th, 2008 at 4:11 am

toby doesnt sing “she’s just a girl…” etc. devin does. same with what you said about ten talents devin takes the lead on that. do the research.

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