If you liked Versus (don't remember if you did haha) I can't imagine not liking this. It's a big progression.
I liked Versus but only really loved "I'll Just Wait". Haven't really liked any of the singles so far though.
Got it. This album really doubles down on the catchier elements of Versus but in a lot of ways it's heavier and more of a "rock" record... while also having more instrumental experimentation with the guitar tones, synths, backing vocals, etc. I think you'll at least be interested while listening.
There's no songs quite like "I'll Just Wait" I'd say... (there's only one outright "slow" song). It's a pretty different record. Interested to hear what you think when you get to it.
I really hope this album spreads through word of mouth and these guys get more attention outside of their existing fanbase... post-hardcore fans can be fickle when bands change styles, but I think this album has the potential to give them a new audience outside of that genre. It really seems like they pushed themselves musically and it paid off on a record that I think surpasses Versus by a significant amount... I just hope it doesn't remain underappreciated like that album was.
Also for all the Yellowcard fans on here, Josh plays bass on this album (I believe the entire album).
A lot of the album is about Bradley trying to overcome the hardships of his recent past, including his wife's miscarriage, and come through the other side... here's a bit about those themes:
I absolutely loved Versus, and still play it all the time. So yeah, I was pretty hyped for this album. Annnd man I am stoked with this, Bradley's performance is unreal, and the band have got a lot more interesting things going on here. As soon as the chorus hit in Hurt I knew they had delivered. I think this is my 2016 fave, at least until the new YC drops.
Yellowcard's bassist was the bassist on this album I'm pretty sure! And I totally agree, Hurt is the PERFECT intro.
Album is so, so good. Also, Bradley stated on Twitter that Emarosa is retiring every song they created pre-Versus. If you're planning to go see them in the future, just keep that in mind! Some people may hate that, some may really love it. Bradley is the best thing that ever happened to this band, and I cannot wait to see them headline a show someday in the near future.
Wow. I knew he wasn't a fan of Relativity but he must really really hate old Emarosa. That's quite disappointing in a way. The love of those 2 LPs are the only reason anyone gave enough of a crap to give them another shot after 4 years of nothing. Seems a little disrespectful to just abandon them completely, but that's par for the course with Bradley it seems. He's currently talking down Versus in all the interviews for 131 I've seen. Which is too bad because I really liked that album and even 131 for the most part.
I think it's definitely a gamble, but the new stuff is quite different, so I can see their reasoning. I think if they can really expand their fanbase with this album it'll make sense to retire the old songs, and the new material suits Bradley much better anyway (obviously). As for Versus, what I've gotten out of those interviews is that it wasn't a very fun record for him and the band to make, with the stress of expectations they put on themselves and him trying to find his place in the band... I think his main point is that he's more happy with the new record for those reasons. I doubt the band or Bradley actually outright dislikes Versus, considering those songs will still be probably like half their setlist.
I dunno, self titled isn't too far off from Versus and has a couple of their most popular tracks. Other bands have no problems playing older, arguably outdated, material like Dance Gavin Dance and Coheed & Cambria. And to flat out announce it instead of quietly phasing the songs out just seems intentionally spiteful to long time fans. Bradley's been getting worse and worse about describing how much he didn't like Versus. He's been doing it subtly since the record came out. I mean, I get it, but it's really odd PR to talk about how much you're disappointed with the previous record while promoting the new one when the previous was so well received and did their highest album sales. Especially an album that will be new fans' gateway into the band going forward. There's a way to say "our last one wasn't all that I wanted, but THIS ONE..." without being so overtly negative and he clearly hasn't learned that yet. As for 131, I hear that the last track is a lot similar to what The Receiving End of Sirens did with Pale Blue Dot, Intermission and Epilogue. (a mashup of the entire album). To the point that "This is the last night in my body" is actually a lyric. Can anyone confirm/deny?
I can see why he wouldn't want to play any of those older songs though now that he has enough of his own to fill a set with. I think it's also a good thing to announce it so everyone is aware they won't be playing old stuff before they buy tickets.
Strongly disagreed with the bolded. I think as SpyKi said, not announcing it wouldn't be as good when a lot of fans would show up expecting to hear those songs still. I think Bradley's just bluntly honest and it can rub some people the wrong way. I don't see anything wrong with being honest about what the artistic process was like... I think he even said IIRC that he was grateful to fans who loved Versus regardless of what it was like making it. Idk, I just don't think it's that big of a deal.
This is so fucking good. Certainly their best I think. You can tell this is Bradley's band and these are his songs now, this kind of soulful rock direction reflects much better on his voice than him trying to sing "old" Emarosa songs