Customer Reviews

... In Shallow Seas We Sail

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Lets face it: I'm Only A Man wasn't spectacular. The album let many Emery fans down when it was hyped to be something it wasn't. In all fairness however, writing a worthy follow up to 2005s stunning "The Question" was no easy task. Fast forward four years and Emery have finally accomplished this. Cue...In Shallow Seas We Sail; a worthy follow up and natural progression for a band who's defining moment was revolving around this album.

With the legendary Aaron Sprinkle back on production duties and none other than Emery's own Matt Carter behind the boards, you can be guaranteed that you're in for an excellent album. ...In Shallow Seas We Sail boasts a return to form coupled with a natural musical progression. Fans of "The Question" will be more than pleased when they pick up a copy of this record. Some have described it as "The Question...Part 2." While I wouldn't go as far as saying that, this album does indeed carry specific trademarks from that album.

The vocals on this album are without a doubt where Emery finds their niche. Emery proves yet again that they are the front runners for "best dual vocalists in any rock band." The dual clean vocals are beautifully executed and layered quite nicely. Furthermore, the screams are back and more prominent and powerful than ever. This is quite apparent from the first few seconds of the opening track, "Cutthroat collapse" which lets everyone know that the Emery we all know and love, is back.

The album has a nice ebb and flow with most tracks complimenting each other. Clocking in at just over 40 minutes, the album should leave you satisfied. No filler means more quality songs without filling space for the sake of filling space. This album also boasts a diverse display of songs which are each unlike the next. Truly a great listen from start to finish.

Without a doubt, the albums highlight comes in the form of the title track. This track boasts Aaron Sprinkle dueling vocals with Toby in a moment that I'd be pressed to say is Emery's best yet.

The ONLY reason I give this album 4 stars is because it isn't flawless. Even if it is excellent, it has a few dull moments here and there, hardly enough to detract from all the good.

This album will without a doubt stick out in Emery's diverse discography and be a fan favorite for many years to come.

One of the aspects of being a reviewer I've come to enjoy is the exposure to bands and artists you may have not heard otherwise. Emery will not be new to many of you. They've been with Tooth & Nail since their 2004 release, The Weak's End. They've developed quite a following and have enjoyed a fair amount of critical acclaim as well. Somehow, I've managed to live the last 5 years of my existence without hearing any of their music. I'd heard of them, of course, but had never gotten around to actually listening to any of their music.

Luckily for me, as a reviewer, I was required to listen to their latest release, In Shallow Seas We Sail. As I said, this was my introduction to the band, so I can't speak to comparisons to previous material, but if this album is indicative of the quality of that work, I'll be checking out those releases in the near future.

I'm not normally a fan of bands that incorporate screaming into their vocals, so I was initially a little turned off when the opening track, "Cutthroat Collapse," begins with some guttural proclamations. Very quickly, though, the vocals turn a different direction, combining catchy complimentary melodies with sugary-sweet harmonies amidst the screams. In fact, the screams almost serve to highlight what great voices these guys have. I thoroughly enjoyed the 2-voice multiple melodies being sung at the same time throughout many of the songs, which often then transitioned to harmonies.

These vocals are layered atop driving baselines and incredible guitar riffs within the intricately crafted rock songs. The writing here is extremely solid, both musically and lyrically, delving into multiple themes: broken relationships ("Curbside Goodbye," "Piggy Bank Lies"), fighting against temptation to sin ("A Sin To Hold On To," which also includes the best harmonies on the album), and death ("Dear Death" parts 1 and 2). "Dear Death Part 2" particularly hit me lyrically, especially these lines:

Oh, God, are you listening now?
As this cancer dances through her, and then takes a bow.
It won't disappoint the crowd, whose word is a curse, as I hear them one-by-one.
Please pull the string, and I come undone.

Chilling.

The music throughout creates the perfect backdrop to deliver the emotionally-charged vocals, which again, are the highlight of the album for me.

The music is charged with energy, but it's a harnessed energy that keeps the tracks from losing control into chaos. The songs are constructed carefully, while avoiding the "over-produced" feeling that many veteran bands can suffer from at this point in their career. Maybe it's the screaming and silky vocals, but there's a polished abrasiveness to the music. Occasionally, it simultaneously pumps you up and gives you chills within the same section.

Emery has already proven they have staying power, and this album ensures they're not going anywhere anytime soon. I thoroughly enjoyed these songs, and this is definitely in the running for my favorite album of the year. They're not exactly breaking entirely new ground here in the genre, but I'm a big fan of the piece of land where they've chosen to reside.

you cant compare this album to another one its an emery album stop questioning its worth and go buy it, it will be money well spent and you'll feel happier the rest of your life, its proven to help ache bones, severe depression, and any level of boredom, if you pay twenty dollars for this album thats a steal.

I have been a huge fan of emery for nearly a year before "the weak's end" came out. They had "Walls" on a Tooth and Nail promo and it was amazing. I still have my promotional copy of their first cd with the limited edition t-shirt that came with it. The next two albums "The Question" and "I am only a man" were excellent, but never lived up to the first album for me. Some amazing songs still, "Listening to Freddy Mercury" comes to mind. But this is the first Emery release that I cannot stop listening too since I first heard walls. I love this album. In my opinion, the 4 tracks I love most are "The smile, the face", "Edge of the World", and "Dear Death" parts 1 and 2. I could see how some people not strongly acquainted with Emery's style of beautiful melody and voice mixed with very in your face screaming may find a few songs to be too hard for the first few bars, but in true emery style, the songs always fall into a perfect orchestra of beauty and depth.

From the complexity of the arrangement to the raw sounds of the screamed vocals, ... In Shallow Seas We Sail never ceases to impress. This album never stops with the energy like some artists who like to put a slow song or two to prove they still have a "softer side" but Emery doesn't need to prove anything with this album. It is sheer energy wrapped up in original beats, original themes, and the best dual (or tri?) vocal punk band of this decade.

The contrasting sections within each song give the entire album a great deal of variety and reading the Christian elements (that are only found in the screamed vocals) is kind of like finding a hidden message in every song. The fact that the Christian phrases are only screamed makes the album accessible to the non-religious as they are indecipherable without the liner notes.

The classical training of the vocalists really come through in this album and it doesn't seem overproduced like most modern albums. I especially love the shifts to 3/4 time to break up the sections and the stacked melodies. Counterpoint in punk? Yes!

I wholehearted recommend this album to anyone who loves punk rock/emo/screamo. It's a little more sophisticated than bands like Hawthorne Heights or Thrice and I'm sure you're in for a welcome surprise the minute you start track 1.

The only downside is that I wish the album was longer, I wish the dynamic range wasn't so compressed, and that it was released on Vinyl!

This album is really good. I'm not usually a fan of "screamo" music, but Emery has a great style that uses elements of hard rock to give a more full sound to melodic punk rock. The themes of the songs are really good too. I've really enjoyed listening to this album over and over again. Great workout music!

Emery's career was slightly in jeopardy after the release of 2007's "I'm Only A Man," their third full-length album. The record was, to say the least, pretty weak. I was only able to find two songs that were worth keeping. And no, I was not alone in this feeling. So when the band announced that they were releasing a new album in 2009, I was a little wary. However, when I picked up my copy of "...In Shallow Seas We Sail," I was surprised to see that the band had re-discovered themselves. Their sound really didn't change too drastically, but the energy, passion, and songwriting skills that smothered 2005's "The Question" were back and in full force.

Let's start with the best song on the record. Well, it's a toss up between "Piggy Back Lies" and "Butcher's Mouth." The first song is a catchy and aggressive track that paints a lyrical picture of a faithful lover who must deal with the discovery that their better half is neither faithful nor better. It's honest and raw, yet beautiful and melodic. In "Butcher's Mouth," the band find's their sweet spot, so to speak, with a slow, driving, four-chord pattern topped off with a delightful vocal melody. However, they don't take advantage of the moment, with it lasting only one bar. When I first heard this, I thought, "There it is. There's the best song on this album and the best moment." But then they stopped and moved on to something else. To see what I mean, check it out for yourself (lyrics: "Over and over again"). Either way, the song is great, but could have been so much better.

Other stand out tracks include the synth-heavy "Dear Death, Part II, "Curbside Goodbye" (very "Weak's End"-esque), "Churches & Serial Killers," which is arguably the band's most dynamic song to date, and "The Smile, The Face," a song full of interesting shifts in style and sound that reaches its climax at the track's end where the band manages to take a faster, more upbeat song and end it with a slow, guitar-heavy bridge that screams both lyrically, vocally, and sonically.

Sure, there are a few filler tracks that don't possess any memorable lyrics or hooks, but Emery has this incredible ability to craft sounds that are very appealing to the ear, even if they lie within a so-so song. In short, you might not hum along during the filler tracks, but at least you'll stay entertained and on your toes.

Overall, the lyrics to In Shallow Seas We Sail aren't extremely cryptic, but that's not what makes a band like Emery appealing. It's their melodies, hooks, and relatable lyrics that make them so damn fun to listen to. In essence, they're a screamo band that writes pop song. And it works. Emery manages to blend both genres without seeming cliche or obvious like most bands. They're not trying to be anything that's wanted of them. They're doing what feels right this time around and getting back to what made them so great a few years ago.

This album, like everything else Emery has put out, is amazing. Some of the best music I have heard in my life. This album has a ton of energy while showing that Emery are still great artists. I am looking forward to more music from them.

Every so often a band comes along with a sound that cleanses your soul with the light of salvation, bringing a message of hope for a better tomorrow. Ladies and gentlemen of the congregation, take my word for it- Emery has delivered us once again. Their fourth album under Tooth and Nail, "In Shallow Seas We Sail" is nothing short of a miracle to our ears.

The album opens up strong with the first single, "Cutthroat Collapse." In this little tune, you find yourself caught in the middle of a traditional balls-to-the-wall scream out match laced with earth shaking riffs, followed up with a soothing melody that carries you through unharmed, letting you know that everything is going to be alright. A little bit scream-o, a little bit rock and roll, this track is an intense, energetic song from start to finish...just what I have come to expect from these guys. If you are an Emery fan, as I am, you will find yourself intimately involved with this album within the first three tracks.

As you carry on through the album, you come across uplifting ballads like "Butchers Mouth," which is a brutally honest story of vanity and pride. Next is "A Sin to Hold On To," which is an inspirational ballad begging us to find our strength inside and just "Let it Out." At this point, you might find yourself just rolling down the windows and singing along at the top of your lungs.

As the album comes to a close, you come across one of my favorite tracks called "Edge of The World." This song carries a catchy fast-paced guitar riff, followed by a big chorus that's sure to be stuck in your head for weeks. Overall, this album will make you want to get out of your seat, dance, move your feet, and clap your hands.

Say what you must about Christian rock, but like it or not, Emery will take you on a non-stop, in your face journey through rock and roll that will change your perspective of this genre forever. They are truly leading a revolution, and carry a fresh new sound that is sure to turn heads. Open your minds and listen to a different side of the story: this bunch of Jesus freaks from South Carolina most definitely know the recipe for making great rock and roll music. Slap on your WWJD bracelets and grab your bibles, cause this album's going to get you out of your pews and on your feet!

OUR RATING
(4/5)

Fans of Emery should have still been fans when they released "Im Only A Man". It was still Emery but sometime to grow as a musician and as a band you have to experiment. That was what some of "Im Only A Man" was. We even saw it on some of "The Question". Now they have come back with this CD that is a culmination of the work done on "The Question" and I'm Only A Man". If you were to combine the musical styling on the 2 CD's you would get exactly what is on this CD. It has the heavy sound while still remaining eloquent with beautiful harmonies and great melodies. There is a scream here or a heavy gutiar riff there but never over doing it. There is a lot of growth also lyrically. Tackling some issue such as death, relationships, temptation, and doubt. If you gave up on Emery after "I'm Only A Man" you gave up to soon. Every band that is going to make a career out of music has that one CD that is like "I'm Only A Man". But it is what helps them grow. And that is what it is all about. Buy "In Shallow Seas We Sail" and if you haven't bought "I'm Only A Man" because your friend or someone said it is not a good CD, buy it as well. Heck throw in one more CD and you will probably have enough for free shipping.