Emery’s new album “…In Shallow Seas We Sail” not a sinker
Posted by The Skyliner on September 23rd, 2009Laurel Vaughn
Staff Writer
Although Emery’s new summer released album is entitled In Shallow Seas We Sail, it is nothing close to shallow in any form of the word. Emery comes back to deliver deep and heavy lyrics that most bands would shudder to even think of writing. This is one of the qualities that many Emery fans, including myself, deeply respect and admire about the band.
Emery continues to break and stretch the mold of the average verse, chorus and bridge structure of a song. The choruses are complex and layered. The band continues to master its melodic sound as well as synching its dual vocals together by soulfully harmonizing in a way that other bands can’t even come close to touching.
While it is hard for me to say just yet that this is my favorite Emery album, I would have to agree with most fans that it seems as if Emery has solidified and mastered the characteristics and differences in sound that make them unique and set them apart from other bands.
Emery’s songs have the ability to pull you into the story or journey, experience the emotions and circumstances in a deep way and not let you go until it’s over. There are definitely no ‘filler’ songs on this album. My personal favorites are “Edge of the World,” “A Sin to Hold On To” and “The Smile the Face.” Most purchased iTunes songs of the album include “Cutthroat Collapse,” “The Poor and the Prevalent” and “Butcher’s Mouth.”
Some of Emery’s fans were slightly disappointed with the 2007-released album, I’m Only a Man and the 2008-released EP While Broken Hearts Prevail and esteem In Shallow Seas We Sail far above these albums. Many fans would say that they feel this album could be the deepest album to date and that it is the true follow up to their 2005 album The Question.
“I think this record is the best representation of Emery,” Toby Morrell of Emery said. “If you like Emery, this will be the record you love the most. This is our most complete album. You can listen to each song individually and not get burnt out. At the same time, you will love the overall story of the record and the journey it takes you on. Emery’s previous albums were written at completely different times in our lives. In Shallow Seas We Sail is Emery, as we are now.”
Devin Shelton of the band said, “We’re not doing this just for a paycheck. We want to evolve, which is why we’re stretching the boundaries and going beyond what people might expect from us. We’re really proud of what we’ve done and we really want it to be something that stands out to people and maybe earns us some new fans. My hope is that people will be caught off guard, but in a really good way.”
If you are an Emery fan, I highly recommend checking out or buying their new album. If you aren’t a fan, I definitely suggest trying them out. Listen to a few songs and look up the lyrics. But be forewarned, there are no boring, regular songs or lyrics with Emery.
Tags: Fall 2009, Vol. 109 - Issue 3