Customer Reviews

Slow Down Kid

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

How many artists can call themselves "an emo pop prince" as publisher Village Voice has suggested? Probably only the likes of Val Emmich. Emmich's album, "Slow Down Kid (SDK)", reflects his remarkable past success with events such as the 2003 Asbury Music Awards and his video, "Privacy Attracts a Crowd," rotating through MTV's Advance Warning as an unsigned major label artist at the time. SDK is not simply "just indie emo," but its grunginess and piano and xylophone ballads add a wide range with complete flow musically and lyrically. Emmich questions his own existence "I could care less if my brakes fail" (Bury Me) and frustrations with significant others "My love for you or a lifestyle" (Separate Things) to admitting that life is difficult but we can move on "It's hard to get your foot on the brake." (title track) With such forthright song lyrics to a band he respects as "The Rescue Effort" to even thanking "the message-boarders and the street teamers," Val Emmich is truly emo. The natural talent and fresh personal concern placed into the making of the album are what make SDK an indelible keeper.

Also check out one of Val's friends, Hero Pattern at heropattern.com!!

For some reason, the convention is that bands make more rocking music and solo artists do mellower stuff. I was expecting this to be soft and pretty and something I could fall asleep to, but it's actually a warm, punchy alt rock album. It's got big guitars and a lot of choruses that stick in your head. It seems influenced by rock from the 70s and 90s, but also sounds fresh and not quite like anything else I've heard. It's melodic, catchy and has memorable lyrics. Emmich's voice and songwriting skills are what really make this record. The band is tight too. The production is subtle and just lets the infectious, well-written songs stand on their own. Standouts (to me) are "Bury Me", "Privacy Attracts a Crowd" and "A Voice". Anyway, I've babbled enough, you should really just get this album.

I was fortunate enough to stumble upon Val Emmich and the Rescue Unit at a small club show in Boston six months agao and have since awaited the release of Slow Sown Kid (SDK) on Epic Records. I was a little nervous that the passion in Val's voice at the live show may be lost in the recording process, but after the first run through of htis disk there was no need for worrying. Val Emmich's voice has such tremendous ethos and range it just jumps off the CD. Having listened to both the CD and having seen them play live, calling Val's band the Rescue Effort talented would be an understatement. Their sound can be clean and simple on song's like the title track Slow Down Kid and then can be gritty rock and roll on track's like Unstable. This band is going to be big, there are few bands with such a perfect blend of musical ability and dynamic vocals. I would urge anyone to pick up a copy of this CD and also try and catch them live. You can find show dates at www.valemmich.com

Val is emo at it's best. His voice and lyrics are both comforting and disturbing. I lose myself in the music everytime I listen to the album. There's something for everyone. The music is so intimate so you may want to listen to it alone with the stereo turned all the way up. Amazing stuff people, pick it up if you can. Check out Val's website for more great info on the beautiful and sexy Val Emmich!

From the art and word of mouth I was expecting this to be poppier, and it is fairly on the melodic and hooky side, but it also has some seriously rockin moments. Val Emmich's vocals sound like he's singing right at you, and the lyrics leave a lasting impression. The band is tight and the production is smooth but not over-the-top. Mostly what shines here are really, really strong songs and heartfelt energy. This is equal parts satisfying, punchy rock and sparkling pop...it's top shelf in my book, definitely worth your time.

This album is incredible. Val Emmich is an amazing song writer, as well as an amazing singer. Each song on the cd is written in such a simplistic yet haunting matter. Everyone can relate to what hes saying. His voice however, is really what brings these songs to life his voice is filled with such raw powerful emotion. Definately the best album of the year, this is an artist to look out for.

Medical Display 8/10 ~ A great opener that previews the album perfectly, this song is all over the place.

Bury Me 7/10 ~ One of the harder tracks on the album, lyrics are tough and agressive. He sings about the emotion we all get where you just give up and want to relax.

Privacy Attracts A Crowd 10/10 ~ One of the more emo tracks, wouldnt be out of place on a weezer album. Lyrics are simple and straight to the point "Privacy Attracts A Crowd...So Do us a Favor and Get Out"

Boy Who Cried Wolf 10/10 ~ The singer/songwriter song. You feel as if Val is a young boy whose on the verge of crying, it has this innocent feel to it.

Seperate Things 10/10 ~ Another hard track about two people who want different things, it has a somewhat punk uptempo sound to it.

Shock 10/10 ~ THIS IS USUALLY PEOPLES FAVORITE SONG. It carries such a simplistic melody, and is just really catchy, however its not corny and Val shows major emotion in this song. He goes from sounding sad, to angry, to screaming, to his falsetto. Great song a stand out track.

The Patient Patient 10/10 ~ My favorite track on the cd. Lyrics can be interpreted many ways but it does posses the line "my words are viens thru which my lifeblood spits" Amazing track.

Unstable 8/10 ~ A harder track and his voice gets deeper in this song sort of reminecent of H.I.M in some parts.

A Voice 9/10 ~ A real emotional song, about losing someone you love, the music goes from hard to acoustic to this jingle bells winterish sound.

Slow Down Kid 9/10 ~ The piano ballad of the album, wrapping up the albums entire theme in one final song. Sounds like something that can be found on a ColdPlay album, or Ben Folds, just less poppier.

Check him out hes truly a unique amazing artist.

Val Emmich has put his heart and soul into the making of this album. Slow Down Kid is his debut on Epic Records, and what a spectaculr debut it is. With four new songs added to this version of Slow Down Kid, the album is better than ever.

If anyone is looking for new music, this is definitely the album to buy.

On Val Emmich's "Slow Down Kid," he uses music that expresses a myriad of emotions, ranging from the tender, heartwrenching angst of Ben Folds and others to the impassioned, burgeoning upheaval of so many young artists today with whom the world just doesn't seem to sit correctly. He cleverly satires his television acting career in "Rat Race," sardonically mocking the conflict between earning so much and losing oneself in such a faceless, image-obsessed field. He show his fire burning withing with the first single, "Shock," and wraps the album perfectly with "Slow Down Kid," a moving piano-backed piece with enough vocal power to summarize the entire effort. Val's album is a definite must for any fans of the whole emo scene...or anyone just wanting to catch a glimpse of a new musical power on the rise. Check it out..

The album is filled with catchy rifts and meaningful lyrics. The lead singer has a strong range and carries a tremendous amount of emotion. I highly recommend this album.

"bury me" was a tune i got hooked on through a mix CD-r that my bff had made me. when i saw the name "val emmich" was expecting some wussy songwriter stuff but what i got was a pretty rocking tune that reminded me a lot of my old favorites, the sheila divine or maybe even rival schools! really, really good stuff here. i bought this record (not from amazon) and really enjoy it. my favorite song on the record is actually one of the more acousticy ones, "shock". it reminds me of "undercovers on" by rival schools but with a husker du/bob mould kind of vibe to it. what a great CD!