Customer Reviews

I'm Only a Man

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

If this were a paint by numbers art contest, Emery would have failed. If you've signed up to hear Emery's third full length album, I'm Only a Man, thinking that it will recall many shades of their two previous efforts, you will be disappointed. Emery forgo much of the signature screaming and aggression that had become staples of their sound, instead embracing the electronic ("Don't bore Us, Get to The Chorus) and the pure alternative rock ("World's Away").

Don't let the gamut of sounds chase you away though, as Emery have always had a penchant for tight song writing so, departing their comfort zone of screamo shouldn't scare you. What should make you wary is the lack of energy and overall intensity in the songs. While Emery is still capable of bringing their brand of emotional rock to life with tracks like "Can't Stop the Killer" and the album opener "Rock-N-Rule," they fall flat with the hammy "The Movie Song," and the bloated and ill advised "From Crib to Coffin" that clocks in at a monstrous 10:45 and feels just about every minute that long!

Hip shaking rockers like "The Party Song" and even the electro-rock infused "Don't Bore us..." have shades of greatness in them but the album, as a whole, doesn't yield a single track that makes you stand up and say "Wow." Emery have always had the wow factor; their great harmonies, intense breakdowns and, thick, atmospheric sections have always delivered in spades. I'm Only a Man leaves you wanting more and, for the first time, Emery fail to deliver it.

People are giving this album poor reviews because Emery dropped the screamo/hardcore edge for this release. Ignore them. Emery has crafted their most mature album to date.

The music is similar to "The Question", albeit with greatly reduced screaming. Emery writes complex songs lacking a conventional song structure and utilizes a plethora of instruments to perform them. Whats great about this album, however, is the faint (but delicious) "dance groove" interwoven throughout the album ("The Party Song" and "Don't Bore us, Get To The Chorus" are the most obvious). Toss in some excellent throwbacks to Queen, and the best groups the 80s and 90s had to offer, and you have yourself an infectious rock album.

It seems emo/screamo children are incapable of appreciating an album written by a band who is exploring a fresh musical direction. Regardless, "I'm Only A Man" proves Emery is man enough to drop out of their comfort zone and churn out one of the best releases of the year (which also includes one of the most catchy songs of the year, "The Party Song"). Highly recommended.

I'm Only a Man is Emery's 3rd and latest CD on Tooth & Nail records. For those of you who don't know, Emery is a alternative band whose been around quite a while. This record is somewhat different from their past efforts and I actually really enjoy it. While they've always had a keyboardist in a band, I felt they used keyboards alot more this time around. One thing different about Emery when comparing them to other bands is the fact that they have 3 singers. You'll also find that the members of the band switch instruments throughout their live shows. Some of my favorite songs on the CD are, "Don't Bore Us, Get to the Chorus," "The Movie Songs," and "You Think You're a Nickel Slick." The beginning of "Don't Bore Us, Get to the Chorus" is something I'd never expect from Emery and reminds me of something from a Queen album. The song also features a great techno-like chrous which is a huge suprise. Overall I'd highly recommend "I'm Only a Man" by Emery.

First of all, let me say, that I am a big Emery fan. Have been since the release of The Weak's End when I hadn't even heard them before and didn't even like screaming, haha. Then, when The Question was released in 2005, I was pretty much blown away. Such a great album, even though there was less screaming. Let's face it, bands change and evolve their sound as they get older...and that's not necessarily a bad thing.

Unfortunately, I wasn't very excited for this album. After hearing "Don't Bore Us, Get to the Chorus" online, I was disappointed, even though I did enjoy "The Party Song", "Rock and Rule", and "After the Devil Beats His Wife". However, I have realized that you can't judge an album based on 1 song. Much of "I'm Only a Man" shows a side of Emery that hasn't been seen before. For instance, "World Away" and especially "Don't Bore Us...". I bought the special edition which has 5 bonus live/acoustic songs and a DVD featuring 2 concerts (1 acoustic and one from the Take Action! tour)and the making of the album. After listening to the album all the way through and watching the making of, it ocurred to me (in large part to an interview with Matt) why something seemed kind of off. Matt says that overall the majority of the songs only have 1 main guitar part, since the departure of Chopper on bass, they have had Devin and Toby switching on and off with bass, rather than guitar, so that only Matt is playing guitar now. Matt went on to say that since there was only one guitar they wanted there to be that open space of almost "nothingness" to just be there, where they had filled it in with more guitar parts in the past. I respect that they wanted to try something different, but I don't feel that it really works for Emery in this instance. I think the lack of a second guitar really takes away a lot from their sound, though they are still incredibly talented and creative. I truly wish that they would bring in a new bass player (not that Devin and Toby aren't good, that'd be a ridiculous thing to say), for the sole purpose of allowing Devin and Toby to go back to guitar and fill out their sound more. And one more thing...so what if they don't scream so much anymore?? Honestly, I don't understand why people made such a big deal about it even when The Question was released. Secondly, yes, Josh Head does screaming vocals in their concerts, but he hasn't recorded any screaming vocals on any of their albums prior to the deluxe edition of The Question (and that just on the acoustic version of Walls), but he finally does on I'm Only a Man, whereas, in the past Toby has done all the screaming for their albums.

I will say that this album has grown on me and I'm sure will continue to. Lastly, if you truly consider yourself a fan of this band (or any for that matter), when they put out a new album, don't expect it to blow away their previous release. In other words, don't hate this just because it isn't "The Question, Part 2". As awesome as that would be, these guys deserve more credit than that.

I still don't get why so many people don't like I'm Only a Man. Perhaps because it's Emery's most original work? Honestly, The Weak's End--and, to some extent, The Question--sounded like so much other music out there that, at times (and after a time), it became a chore to listen to. I'm Only a Man is a breath of fresh air infused with hints of New Wave/post-punk influences layered under cleaner and better guitar work, more driving bass and drums, and outstanding vocals. If you listen to music with an appreciation for the music, and not a set of expectations for what one particular band must sound like, then I heartily recommend this album. You will not be disappointed.

Highlights: "Rock-N-Rule," "After the Devil Beats His Wife," "Can't Stop the Killer," "From Crib to Coffin"

(Unfortunately this album seems to have been a fluke, with Emery reverting to their 2005 sound for While Broken Hearts Prevail, and coming full-circle to their 2004 sound for In Shallow Seas We Sail--and becoming wholly generic once again.)

I dont exactly understand the negative reviews. Of course, it doesnt compare to "the weaks end" and "the question." In their defense though, those two albums were stellar, and to compare another album to those two is not fair by any means. To enjoy "I'm only a man," you have to enjoy the song where "the question" left off at.

"In a win, win situation," is where the question leaves off. And it is heavy on melody, and heavy on keyboards, and lacks screaming and breakdowns. Much like "I'm only a man." Not to say that one album is a continuation of another, but thats how "the question" signed off. Mellow and harmonic. Much like "I'm only a man."

As a lover of music in all shapes and forms, I love this album. It's a tamed down, heart felt album from Emery. They have never let me down before. And they didn't let me down this time. Surprisingly enough, it didnt leave me thirsty for breakdowns. I thoroughly enjoyed this album, and was quick to keep it on repeat. I give it a 4 out of 5.

This is a great album if you already like emery I would highly recommend this but if you are just checking them out I would recommend getting "The Question" first.

If you are an Emery fan, you will probably like this one. Stand outs are "From Crib to Coffin" and "The Movie Song." The rest of the album grows on you. Its probably the weakest of their albums, but its a solid product. I would recommend The Question or even While Broken Hearts Prevail over this to someone new to the band. But, for die-hards, this is worth money.

so i know that emery has decided to go with the less hardcore/screamo music, and gone with a more clear punk style. Even though i really like the vocals, there is more of a combination a songs where one singer sings and then another sings the next song. This album is really good, just give it a chance.

The new album is really different with a bit of pop, dance and alternative mixed together which makes you need to listen to it a few times to get the feel of the music. I believe this record has fullfilled Emery fans finally a long awaiting for the new music which is not to be missed.