Customer Reviews

Emotion Is Dead

5 star:		(67)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

It's been a year and a half since Juliana Theory's first full length came out, but the way they've matured you would think its been years. The sound of their new album, Emotion Is Dead, is much more diverse then Understand This is a Dream. The songs range from hard rock ( To the Tune of 5,000 Screaming Children)to soft ballads (You Always Say Goodnight, Goodnight) to pop (Top of the World). There is absolutely no way to get bored with this cd, there's so much heartfelt emotion mixed with guitar hooks and melodies you can't pass it up. Bret's voice is hypnotizing and fits perfectly with the rest of the band. This is one of those cd's where you put it in the cd player and before you know it the cd is over or near the end, every song flows so well into the next one. It's definately one of those sit-in-the-dark-and-think-about-life cd's, and a must have for anyone who is looking for simply good music.

This CD is just miles beyond their previous CD. Talk about growth. Whatever shred of potential the music industry saw on Juliana Theory's first recordings, paid off big time here. I don't know how well the CD can sell, being stuck on a small Christian label, but it certainly would sell well if marketed to MTV. The overall sound, for those new to Juliana Theory, is something like a mix of Oasis, Green Day, and early 77s, but with some more complex layers. The music is deep, if that is possible.

Lyrically, the band has seen huge improvements from the cliches they tossed around on the previous CD. Consider the song, "To The Tune Of 5,000 Screaming Children" -- which appears to be a response to some overly critical (anti) fans: "We're not misinformed or misdirected. We'll make our own insurrection. You're a paper fist, a faceless attack. We're not about to break like you do." I must admit, I've never heard of a "paper fist" before, and it certainly conveys a whole lot in two words. That takes talent and original thinking.

Musically, the group has moved well beyond garage band recordings. It sounds like they actually spent some time in the studio. The guitars, singing, and drums have moved to a new level, with strings, piano, backing vocals, effects, and other additions fleshing out the sound.

For instance, the song, "Is Patience Still Waiting" -- which sounds like what you'd get if the bands Lit and Filter merged -- has some well-placed background vocals that make the song rich and interesting. The first song, "Into The Dark", starts with a synthesizer-like pipe organ sound, but quickly overwhelms it with crashing guitars, harmonized choruses, and what seems like a good number of instruments playing on top of each other, but working together quite well.

"Understand The Dream Is Over" is a great rock song. "This Is Your Life" with its soaring chorus, is probably going to keep them at the top of the EMO movement (even though the CD is titled, "Emotion Is Dead"). Finally, the song "Don't Push Love Away" is challenging to listen to, but very rewarding. The song has kind of a whiney chorus, and when the guitars chime in for the chorus, it's in a slightly off key -- maybe it's flat, I don't know (I'm no musician). But the thing is, the song really works. They totally pulled it off, and the sound was obviously deliberate. And I love when the drummer hits the cymbals over and over again during the bridge ("she's crying, she's crying"). And the (female?) backing vocals at the end sound great. It feels like these guys are really learning how to craft a compelling sound. Totally worth the price.

I bought The Juliana Theory's "Emotion is Dead" on a whim, mainly because the band came from my area, and I was interested in the emo sound. After buying it, and after having it grow on me, I will say without a doubt that it is one of the best CDs in my music collection.

As I said, the varying styles are one of the factors that make this CD good. "To the Tune of 5,000 Screaming Children" and "If I Told You This Was Killing Me, Would You Stop?" are a heavier style, "Understand the Dream Is Over" takes more of a punk style, and songs like "You Always Say Goodnight, Goodnight", which is 9 min 30 sec long, are just a pure emo song that are very stirring. Two interludes, "Emotion Is Dead Part I and II" add to the style.

Brett Detar, the lead singer, has a tremendous voice. He has an amazing range to his voice that allows him to emote very well. He sounds powerful when he sings high, and dark when he sings low. There are catchy melodies and quality harmonies.

The Juliana Theory brings a good message to their CDs ("Is Patience Still Waiting?" "Don't Push Love Away"). They are under Tooth and Nail Records, and that is why their CDs are sold in Christian stores, but they are not a Christian band. Not all of their members are Christian, and Jesus is never explicitly stated. However, their good messages and lack of swearing and other things make their lyrics good to sing along to.

This is a stirring CD from a wonderful band, and I would definately recommend it to anyone would talk to me about it. So buy this CD!

Categorizer snobs may label this cd "not emo enough". Who cares? The Juliana Theory possess a keen ability to interlace lyrics of loathing and cynicism with catchy, tantalizing melodies. No one but Brad Detar could sing "You chose to carry on a lie" and have it come out so sweetly, without losing any of the emotion that the words carry with them. Most of the lyrics are very serious and sincere, although the song "We're at the Top of the World" proves that they have a sense of humor. With his tongue planted firmly in cheek, Detar sings that they are on top of the world (the height of irony), that "it sure feels right", and a chorus of "Sha la la". Other highlights include "Into the Dark", the cd's opening track, which contains a haunting yet comforting chorus line and "If I Told You This Was Killing Me, Would You Stop?" the kind of angry rant-like song that you wish you could write after you've just been dumped. Also, the song "To the Tune of 5,000 Screaming Children" is a standout containing a message to their detractors and attackers, "We knew you'd hate this before you wrote it... your hatred only fuels us on... you're an alias an email address". These lyrics are a perfect response to people who don't understand this band, or don't like this cd because it doesn't fit into a particular category.

I had never heard of the Juliana Theory before this CD came out. It was under my recommendations so I thought I'd try it out After a few listens I was hooked. Not only are there great vocals and great music, the words actually have meaning. The only draw backs are "This is Your Life" on the cd because it sounds way too poppy. Also, "You Always Say Goodnight". Whythey had to make it 9 minutes long?But on to the positives. The first song, "Into the Dark" is a great way to start of the CD, the vocals are really good and so is the guitar. They have great harmony and you can tell they actually put some effort into it unlike a lot of other punk/emo bands. Some of TJT kid of sounds like some Getup Kids stuff, which is good because the Getup Kids are awesome. The second song "Don't Push Love Away", is a really powerful song, but really sentimental. "To the Tune of 5000 Screaming Children" has a weird title, but is a really good song. The lyrics are amazing, what a way to get back at your critics. I like the lines comparing the critics words to paper fists. "We're at the Top of the World" is kind of an easy listening song. "Is Patience Still Waiting?" I don't know, but its a darn good song. It starts of kind of like a Lit song with similar vocal, but is able to change while still retaining the original idea. "Dot Matrix With Stereo" is one of the two instrumental tracks on the CD, it has a neat rythym going on and has a cool bass. "If I told You This Was Killing Me" is one of my favorites. It is a little bit heavier and has thought provoking lyrics and the words recall to me several people I know. "We're Nothing Without You" is my favorite song on the cd just because it is the best, and one of the best songs ever. "Understand The Dream Is Over" is more catered to the Punk listeners because of its faster pace but is pretty good just the same. A song I could See being played on the radio. "The Emotion is Dead Part 2" is the other instrumental track. It takes teh beat and the melody of the beginnig of "You Always say Goodnight" and adds some other elements. Almost kind of a techno/trance song, it works and is a perfect outro for the CD. The point is "The Emotion is Dead" is a great CD and only gets better after each listen. You will really enjoy it.

It's true that these guys take themselves a bit too seriously for the kind of music they play, and the songs on this album belong more on commercial radio than in the indie scene, but if you can get past that you can appreciate this album for what it is. It's either above or beneath all the emo garbage it's associated with, depending on your perspective. If you're hung up on underground cred, you'll consider it beneath, if you're a genuine unpretentious music lover you will have no trouble accepting the melodic pop brilliance this album has to offer. Tracks 1, 3, 4, 5, and 11 are nothing less than amazing. They're the absolute pinnacle of contemporary pop-rock songwriting. If I hadn't heard them with my own ears I'd think it was impossible to write songs this good. Something Isn't Right Here is a cringeworthy boy-band type song that I really can't stand, and there are a couple other weak songs, but overall this is still a must-own album for anyone who enjoys catchy pop music to any extent.

I love this album so much. TJT you started everything in 98 for me. I loved "August in Bethany" off "Understand This Is Not A Dream" so I bought this album. I was the only one in Lowell listening to EMO. Now "Emo is dead" I blame warped tour. All these new Emo/Screamo bands suck that's why I'm going back to where I started, with this album. I don't like emo now, but this one's a keeper. I started a band because of this album, remembered the words to every single track and pretty much introduced emo to fellow Lowellians. This is the album I'd take if I was stranded on a desert island. Key tracks; If I told you this was killing me would you stop,Into the dark,Don't push love away, Were at the top of the world, You always say goodnight, goodnight, This is your life, and Emotion is dead.

I bought the album "Emotion Is Dead" because it was recommended by my friend, and it has been in my stereo ever since. Some of the songs take some getting used to, but all of them grow on you and will be your favorites.

The opening track, "Into the Dark", is beautiful with a riveting chorus and bridge. "Don't Push Love Away" is fresh and energizing but at the same time relaxing and is one of my favorites to listen to when I'm upset. "To The Tune Of..." is one of my favorites, a harder-rock sound with awesome guitars, and "Is Patience Still Waiting?" is even better. My favorite song on the CD, "If I Told You..." is, in my opinion, The Juliana Theory's best song ever. The lyrics are amazingly written and has a great melody. After this track comes "We're Nothing Without You", which is an almost haunting song with a great chorus. "This Is Your Life" and "Something Isn't Right Here" are similar emo-type songs that you might not like right away, but grow on you. "Understand The Dream Is Over" is a fun and refreshing punk song with interesting lyrics. The second-to-last track, "You Always Say Goodnight, Goodnight" is definitely the most creative song I've ever heard. It starts with a good, harmonized emo song accompanied by guitar and piano, then adds a choir and a rocking 5-minute guitar solo. The first time I heard it, I thought it was strange; then I listened to it again and loved it. If you like rock, emo, and/or punk, this album with be greatly enjoyed.

Juliana Theory, an obscure band in an obscure genre, builds much of its well deserved acclaim on this very album. Well written instrumentals, such as Emotion is Dead Parts 1 and 2, punctuate well written songs with well written riveting lyrics. "Don't Push Love Away" demonstrates well constructed harmonies that the musicians skillfully persist throughout the album and make for a full-spectrum music experience.

Let me start by saying this statement directly towards that reviewer down there that claimed everyone that likes this cd is a teenage girl with a bad obsession for emo.

I'm not a teenage girl. I don't even LIKE most emo or punk music. But I happen to find this album to be very good. The song styles change from one song to the next, keeping the cd fresh and not becoming repetative and boring (like most Emo cds tend to do). The lead singer sounds young, but he has a good voice, and with a few years of growth he could build into a great vocalist. The bands lyrics aren't terrible either, nothing to cry over, but seemingly deep enough. I don't feel like doing my usual track by track review, but lets just say that most of the tracks are great, some a little more so then others, but the whole cd is worth listening to.

So there it is, a review from someone with a broad sense of music. I'm not just an emo junkie, or a punk follower. I like all kinds of music ranging from Metallica to Michelle Branch to 311. I'm not one sided, this cd just sticks out as good quality music.