Emarosa - Relativity

[Jesse SD]

Emarosa - Relativity
Release Date: July 8, 2008
Record Label: Rise Records

When I found out ex-Dance Gavin Dance frontman Jonny Craig was joining Emarosa, I was more than a little excited. It seemed like the perfect combination: Craig’s trademark vocals blended with Emarosa’s atmospheric synth/keyboard and guitar work to create a kind of underground supergroup. But as with most supergroups (SEE: Audioslave) all the best parts are somehow lost in translation on Emarosa’s new album, and despite well-rounded instrumentation and vocal work throughout, Relativity ends up sounding like a spacier, watered-down Dance Gavin Dance.

One noticeable change listeners find on Relativity is the spineless presence of the synthesizer/keyboard, which, other than providing background noise, only pops up for a few evident instances throughout the album (“What’s a Clock Without the Batteries” and “It’s Cold in the Shade, Let’s Move to the Sun…”). Another glaringly missing element is any kind of harsh/screamed vocals. While Craig’s uniquely stylized voice is very engaging (and a little bit edgier overall than it was in Dance Gavin Dance), it becomes monotonous surprisingly quickly after a few songs, so listening to the full album (which lasts almost forty-five minutes) in its entirety becomes a labor in and of itself.

That being said, this album is still a definite cut above many offerings from other bands within the genre. It avoids redundant breakdowns and simplistic crunching riffs, using soaring guitar-work (which is actually one of the highlights on this album, and helps make the lack of synth go down a little easier) that creates undertones that really bring the songs to life (“The Past Should Stay Dead,” “What’s a Clock Without the Batteries?,” “I Still Feel Her: Part I,” and “A City Called Coma: Part II.”). The higher-quality production also lends itself nicely to the many subtle yet effective backing sounds, and gives the album a kind of ‘bigness’ that makes it sound better when played louder and on better speakers; it gets exponentially better when played on a nice iPod stereo or CD system as opposed to computer speakers.

Lyrically, things have improved a great deal, but due to the addition of Craig, pursue many of the same thematic elements that Dance Gavin Dance did. Ultimately, that’s not really a problem, because Craig delivers them well; it just adds to the assertion that Emarosa has become the new (and less-improved) Dance Gavin Dance. So basically, if you thought Dance Gavin Dance was a little too coarse/heavy, you’ll love the re-defined Emarosa.

When it comes down to it, Relativity just doesn’t fulfill my expectations. Even though it is definitely listen-worthy, what I hear right now is a band that is still searching to find a suitable sound (for glimpses at what the band is capable of and hopefully will lean towards in later releases, listen to: “The Past Should Stay Dead,” “Set It Off Like Napalm,” and “Pretend. Release. The Close”). But maybe that’s just me; maybe it’s all really just a matter of relativity.

Dance Gavin Dance
myspace.com/emarosa (http://www.myspace.com/emarosa)

[Kbm600]

I agree with most. This is something you must listen to if you ever enjoyed Dance Gavin Dance.

But I think he shined in this album, being more in the spotlight rather than a co-worker with the screaming and it definitely showed his vocal talents.

[Klatzke]

I like him.. but i can't stand his voice for long. He's talented, but it just gets old after awhile.

I love his guest spots though, (Lower Definition, Pierce the Veil).

[hxchairstylist]

I like him.. but i can't stand his voice for long. He's talented, but it just gets old after awhile.

I love his guest spots though, (Lower Definition, Pierce the Veil).

Agreed. Great voice, but somehow it gets old fast, whereas I could listen to Anthony Green on a deserted island for years and not get sick of him. Not to say Jonny doesn't have it in him, I just think he hasn't harnessed it fully yet.

[Klatzke]

Agreed. Great voice, but somehow it gets old fast, whereas I could listen to Anthony Green on a deserted island for years and not get sick of him. Not to say Johnny doesn't have it in him, I just think he hasn't harnessed it fully yet.
I think my thing is with it, is that when he gets into it, and gets toward the top of his range, his lyrics are almost incomprehensible (to me that is).

I think he has a great voice, i just think he should tone it down a bit, and save his greatttt vocals for moments where it fits, then it would work out. Just my opinion though.

[p, FRY]

having had this for quite a few weeks now, i couldn't disagree more with referencing this to Dance Gavin Dance. the album, aside from the vocals [which contain NO screaming], sounds nothing at all like a Dance Gavin Dance record.

this fits much more in line with a Circa Survive type record [no, i'm not comparing them] than a "scene" record like DGD.

personally this is my album of the year, and after having it on repeat for weeks, am in no way tired of it. 85/90%.

[Jarbear]

Yeah. I disagree with Emarosa being less improved version of Dance Gavin Dance. Yes both bands have talented musicians. But I still fail to hear the songs or parts where it sounds like Dance Gavin Dance. I think the comparisons between the two are simply a result of Jonny being the singer. But it is a good review, but I would have rated higher.

Awesome job!!

[EightOEightDrop]

TOTALLY random but Johnny Craig palms a line from "Over You" by Acceptance in "Set it off like Napalm" though it's in a different key, he sings the same transposed notes, words, and rhythm. Really, check it out. I swear I am not this much of a nerd, I just happened to listen to one song right after the other. Other than that, this album seems to kind of chug along through a lot of tedium. Oh, and there's the fact that Craig does enough coke on the daily to kill a horse. Hey wait, so does Anthony Green. I think we've found the secret, guys.

[PTK]

Id hate to think that Craig is dragging his sound like luggage from DGD to Emarosa...but i really do think he was a perfect match for Emarosa...and you did an excellent job of the review

[Pawan1993]

I seriously think the old Emarosa was better. Corsets are Cages was good but Their new vocalist(Chris Roetter) was better. Loved the high and low screams and the clean vocals were good. Even the instruments were good and the synths could be easily recognised but as soon as Craig joins the instruments suck and their isn't any screaming!Roetter is easily a better screamer but Jonny has the better clean vocals. But I agree it gets boring after like one song. I heard Relativity and thought it was cool after one song and then thought they'll hopefully change themselves later on.But otherwise their EP was way better.

[Klatzke]

I seriously think the old Emarosa was better. Corsets are Cages was good but Their new vocalist(Chris Roetter) was better. Loved the high and low screams and the clean vocals were good. Even the instruments were good and the synths could be easily recognised but as soon as Craig joins the instruments suck and their isn't any screaming!Roetter is easily a better screamer but Jonny has the better clean vocals. But I agree it gets boring after like one song. I heard Relativity and thought it was cool after one song and then thought they'll hopefully change themselves later on.But otherwise their EP was way better.
Utah was such a sweet song.

However, the old and new bands really aren't comparable. You should probably check out Agraceful if you haven't already. Roetters new band.

[Sic Transit Zeb]

This was a really good review. Nice job man.

I agree with almost everything you said......I like the DGD comparison but less-improved? I think DGD stayed in the same place with their new album.

I really think this band is going to improve and get to be pretty damn good.

[Pawan1993]

Utah was such a sweet song.

However, the old and new bands really aren't comparable. You should probably check out Agraceful if you haven't already. Roetters new band.
I loved that song Armageddon and Utah. The lyrics are still there (Let me fly).
lol
Agraceful is good but it just doesn't have what old-emarosa did. No electronica and the musicianship just can't be compared.
But on a different note new DGD just totally owns.

[Klatzke]

I loved that song Armageddon and Utah. The lyrics are still there (Let me fly).
lol
Agraceful is good but it just doesn't have what old-emarosa did. No electronica and the musicianship just can't be compared.
But on a different note new DGD just totally owns.
Agreed, new DGD is better without Johnny. I still listen to that EP though, and yeah, both those songs are tight. The singing by Telly in Utah is the best part of the entire EP.

[Pawan1993]

The elctronics in the first this is your way out were so beautifully placed and dw i still listen to old DGD as well.I see DGD becoming huge in the future with their new frontman. I reckon he sounds a bit like Jesse Lacey in his clean vocals but his screams r so similar to Jonnys

[Pawan1993]

srry meant first ep before i said this is your way out

[Mikecarrozza]

I think that Jonny Craig has one of the best voices out there.

Dallas Green
Anthony Green
Jonny Craig

Remember these people as the most talented vocalists of music

[Dm!tr! the !st]

I think my thing is with it, is that when he gets into it, and gets toward the top of his range, his lyrics are almost incomprehensible (to me that is).

I think he has a great voice, i just think he should tone it down a bit, and save his greatttt vocals for moments where it fits, then it would work out. Just my opinion though.

I agree completely. Honestly, Craig was the main reason I liked DGD, and in Emarosa, I have to say I really like it. But he should back off a little. Hearing him full on from the moment the record begins can be tiresome, but this is a great album. Doesn't really strike me as something DGD would do though.

I think that Jonny Craig has one of the best voices out there.

Dallas Green
Anthony Green
Jonny Craig

Remember these people as the most talented vocalists of music

Craig's voice is one of the best things to have graced my ears.

[eric0404]

The review was well written ... well done. I disagree with the score completely. This guy's voice is amazing and the songs on the album are well written and executed beautifully. A 90% at least. I read these reviews often and this is the one i disagree with the most. I think you are taking your opinion into account far too much. Brilliant album Emarosa...well done.

~Eric

[eric0404]

in addition....any reviewer to give this gu 8.5 on vocals is clearly retarded....this guy is one of the best vocalists to grace this genre...hands down...an 8.5 is not only insulting...its ridiculous

[circatbs]

This is an awesome album, however, and 8.5 for vocals is sort of low....I would say at least 9.25 if not 9.5. I think that the scores for Lyrics and Lasting Value should be higher, too. Good review otherwise.

[whataclush]

jonny has the most brutal voice in all of music, period. 10 out of 10 doesnt even come close to justice.

[Accana]

music at times seems to run into a curve that i feel just doesn't fit.

craigs vocals ultimately would have fit MUCH better with dance gavin dance on their new stuff.

of course this is all just me

[stranger!danger]

I think that Jonny Craig has one of the best voices out there.

Dallas Green
Anthony Green
Jonny Craig

Remember these people as the most talented vocalists of music

kudos to you giving credit to Dallas Green and thank you for not putting Craig Owens on that list, a lot of people would have.

I loved Dance Gavin and I am in LOVE with Emarosa. Favorite band, hands down. They're so talented. I'm a little disappointed that they changed their whole style of music when Jonny came into the picture but it fits. I recommend this band to anyone and everyone! They're just as good live as they are on CD! I had a chance to go see them with ADTR and I'm going to the Artery Foundation tour to see them again!

PS: I really hate how all these new scene bands are trying to copy the Dance Gavin, Emarosa style. Give it up, you don't got it!

Mikecarrozza, I'm going to have to say there is a tie between Dallas Green and Jonny Craig. Both amazing, both passionate. Then Anthony Green!

[Mikecarrozza]

kudos to you giving credit to Dallas Green and thank you for not putting Craig Owens on that list, a lot of people would have.

I loved Dance Gavin and I am in LOVE with Emarosa. Favorite band, hands down. They're so talented. I'm a little disappointed that they changed their whole style of music when Jonny came into the picture but it fits. I recommend this band to anyone and everyone! They're just as good live as they are on CD! I had a chance to go see them with ADTR and I'm going to the Artery Foundation tour to see them again!

PS: I really hate how all these new scene bands are trying to copy the Dance Gavin, Emarosa style. Give it up, you don't got it!

Mikecarrozza, I'm going to have to say there is a tie between Dallas Green and Jonny Craig. Both amazing, both passionate. Then Anthony Green!
Dallas Green is by far the best vocalist on any list.
Craig Owens is not good. Craig Mabbit on the other hand, when he was with Blessthefall.

Dallas, Anthony and Jonny are tied. thats it. haha

[MJ62992]

Agreed. Great voice, but somehow it gets old fast, whereas I could listen to Anthony Green on a deserted island for years and not get sick of him. Not to say Jonny doesn't have it in him, I just think he hasn't harnessed it fully yet.
This guys voice can get old but he wouldn't have to do so much if the band wasnt as bad as they are.

[MJ62992]

Agreed. Great voice, but somehow it gets old fast, whereas I could listen to Anthony Green on a deserted island for years and not get sick of him. Not to say Jonny doesn't have it in him, I just think he hasn't harnessed it fully yet.
This guys voice can get old but he wouldn't have to do so much if the band wasnt as bad as they are.

[whataclush]

most people in this thread need to slit their throats.

[Blaise&Panthia.]

Emarosa's genre on my iTunes is Voice.

[Kaku]

All in all I am positive, they will find their sound. It is really consistent, but has few songs (The Past Should Stay Dead, Set It Off Like Napalm) show the potential and Jonnys voice is just one of the most unique voice, I have ever heard. Let's wait and see.

[DecipherRob]

old Emarosa was farr better

[FoxVsWolf]

I used to be really into Jonny Craig's vocal work, but he doesn't use all of his vocal range enough. He's always belting out vocals and that makes those moments less special, I'm glad to see he's not the main focus on the new Dance Gavin Dance.