South Carolina's own Emery is one new band that actually answers the question "what is emo?" Toby, Matt, Joel, Seth, Devin and Josh bring their own form of melodic post-punk hardcore to the increasingly confusing scene of bands claiming to be playing "emo" music. So what is emo exactly?
Loosely defined it's simply emotional music, but what emotion might this be? From loneliness to anger; the entire spectrum of human emotion is expressed in music of any kind. What is the emotion most often found in emo music? Passion. Passion for music, passion for memories, passion for God; this is what sets emo apart from all other forms of music. With so many bands which are borderline lethargic about the music they play and the message they represent, bands like Emery which are truly passionate are to be considered "emo."
Musically defined, "emo" is quite simply pop-rock and punk rock put in a blender and recorded. Some emo may have a strong hardcore/heavy-metal influence; thus the name "emo-screamo." But, be it mixed with punk rock or hardcore, it is the pop-rock melodies and harmonies being so thoroughly interspersed which make emo so addictive and unique as a style of music.
Emery is one such band, with their debut album The Weak's End (Coming out on Tooth and Nail this January twenty-seventh,) bringing a completely unique style. Stripped to essentials, it carries traces of Beloved and Taking Back Sunday, with lyrical stylings Ala Dead Poetic, and a keyboardist bearing a striking resemblance to Underoath. These elements combined with a strong Christian faith, all serve to make a sizable piece of ear-candy for all.
4.5 tocks
Other coverage for this album
Decapolis January 2004Reviewed by Luke HarlowEmery could fit right in with the modern rock genre. For their part, Emery sounds like they are aiming for an emo/indie flair and they do throw in a few guitar harmonics and the occasional screamed vocals. Still, it is not a stretch to see Emery mentioned in the same breath with the likes of Trapt and Cold. That is not to say that "The Weak's End" is a bad record. Like all Tooth and Nail…The Phantom Tollbooth 2004Reviewed by Len NashLast year, Tooth and Nail Records all of a sudden signed a band from Seattle named Emery. At the "weak end" of 2003 and the beginning of 2004, lots of people started hearing about the band. Flipping between a consistent pattern of vocals from melodic emo (Further Seems Forever) to more upbeat vocals (Anberlin) to background screaming (The Used) then twisting it around in different ways yet always…Similar sounding releases
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