Emery: First Listen. I am shocked at how heavy this new album truly is yet it’s also very melodic at the same time. Emery has always had a very distinct sound and this album is no exception to that rule. They have a certain melodic sensibility that is tough to replicate (although many bands try). Imagine mixing The Weaks End/The Question with the screams of ZAO. No joke. “The Cheval Glass”, “Scissors”, and “You Wanted It” being an example of the heavy aspect of this album. The double bass feel of several of these songs is a killer addition. Don’t misunderstand me, there are PLENTY of strong melodic rock songs on the album and the screams just enhance it’s value as a strong contender for Emery’s best work. I even dig the keys/synths in several of the songs. “Addicted to Bad Decisions” almost has a Weezer feel at the beginning. I would say the screaming has a taken a turn for the heaviest they’ve ever sounded on an Emery recording. I believe this Emery release pulls influence from every single one of their albums (Yes, even “I’m Only a Man”) and dumps it all into one complete 10 track release. Those of you sitting on the fence on whether to BUY this or not, I would definitely encourage you to rethink your decision and be first in line to preorder it. It has all the qualities you’ve come to love about Emery and has so many different elements to “We Do What We Want” that it’s truly set apart from all the clones, and sound-a-like wannabes out there in the scene. “We Do What We Want” is an inescapable dream of a record, meant to be lived through the music of Emery. On first listen, I am giving this a 10/10 and would highly recommend it to any fence sitting Emery fan pondering their next big purchase.
Brandon Jones is a 35 year old male living in Orange County, CA. with his wife of 15 years, 2 sons, 1 daughter and a bunch of animals. Brandon enjoys living a life for God, Family, Passionate music, the ocean, the mountains, gardening, and working in the Machining industry (Real Job). Too many favorite bands to list here. 
| Loren Wade, 5h ago 
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Nice review. Thanks for posting.
So stoked!!!! So after listening to the album all the way through now, do you think they’ll fit in on Solid State?
I don’t see the Solid State connection although the album is heavy enough to tie it together I guess. It’s sort of like Underoath with “They’re Only Chasing Safety” and the T&N connection. It works but I don’t see why it needs to be marketed to “heavy” audiences when the band is already pretty self established in music scene circles.
Good persuasive review. Definitely going to pick this up now…
I want to buy it now. So stoked!!!!!
Pretty excited for this. emery never dissapoints.
I’m always hesitant when I see 10/10 reviews (and I know this isn’t a review, just a first listen), but I it’s Brandon. So now I am preordering it. Not that I wouldn’t have anyway…
I’m a little hesitant to buy. Is this the same Emery that used to be on Tooth & Nail Records?
Ha ha ha. A 10 gets noticed. I might get this. Brandon and Steve don’t give out high scores of any kind lightly, even if I disagree with some of them.
Seriously, dude. Give it up.
Give it up WHOA-OH-WHOA-WU-OH. Home Grown.
I guessed it! What’s the next song lyric you have for me?
First listens can be deceiving, but as people have been saying, Brandon doesn’t give praises like these about anything. This was my second most-anticipated record of the year (just behind Switchfoot); Emery is one of the first screamo bands I’ve been able to fully appreciate, and it sounds like We Do What We Want could solidify that fact. I couldn’t be more thrilled. :D
I’m absolutely psyched about this even more so after reading this short review. But how much does Devin Shelton sing on the record? I heard he just does background vocals.
Also did you have the chance to dive into the lyrics at all? Toby said this was their most spiritual album yet so I’m really curious seeing that they haven’t ever really been overtly spirtual.
How does this compare to shallow seas? Shallow seas is amazing but I’m not as big of a fan of their other stuff. What I’ve heard off this was pretty good.
Awesome, cannot wait! I think this may restore a lot of faith I had in this band. I am only a Man and Shallow Seas were good, but just bland in comparison to the others… especially The Question!
I’m super excited for the album to come out!
So I love Emery but every time I hear about this album it makes me more hesitant to pre-order it… Would you still recommend this to someone who thinks The Weak’s End was definitely Emery’s best, but just ahead of I’m Only A Man? (I also like …In Shallow Seas, but I’m not really a big fan of The Question.) “The Cheval Glass” is growing on me, but I don’t know how I would feel about a whole album that heavy… Would you still recommend this album?
I’m so nervous but so excited at the same time. I love Emery. I absolutely love all of their releases (yes, even including I’m Only A Man). I love Cheval Glass, but I’m still anxious about this one. Brandon, your review has quelled a few of my fears, but I’m still scared I’m not going to like this one. Emery is already by far the hardest band I listen to frequently, and I feel like it won’t really have staying power with me. I don’t know. Preordering-definitely. I hope it’s as good as their previous material. It would be a dream come true were it better. Thanks for the early review!
Basically if you enjoyed any of Emery’s earlier albums you’ll love this. It just has such an eclectic mix of all the different styles emery has become known for plus some! It’s hard to completely dive into the lyrics when you are spinning this “stream” from a computer but once I listen in the car (where I do most of my thinking) I’ll have a better handle on it. I like this one a lot more than In Shallow Seas….also the album cover adds a certain “dark” aspect to the music not that it’s overtly dark or anything. I just didn’t dig the cartoony artwork of their last album. I just strongly believe that any true Emery fan will find something to appreciate on this album. Ps- I hope I didn’t scare anyone off with my ZAO comment, it’s not all heavy but rather an equal mix of screamo and rock with some metallic moments thrown in for good measure.
Wow…Emery? Metallic? Interesting…
Thanks Brandon I will definitely be checking this out. I’m really interested in the lyrics because sometimes that makes or break it for me. I love the Question even though it’s too melancholy for me to listen to very often, but there’s a fine line between honest sadness for certain reasons, and regular ol’ self-pity, so that will probably be a factor for me, I’m just like that. All this hype is definitely making me excited for March with Emery, Eisley, and BTA! (And that one Aaron Gillespie guy too I guess :)
I’ve loved all their albums. This won’t be an exception.
One question: what is the length of the album? (In time, I know there are 10 tracks).
I don’t have an exact count of the minutes since it’s just a stream. I should clock it the next I give the album a listen.
The screams of Zao? That’s a weighty comment….
I love Emery and was going to be picking this up anyway. I didn’t know so many people had hatred for I’m Only a Man. That’s my favorite Emery record.
Well if We Do What We Want isn’t enough, it looks like Emery’s giving us an acoustic album later this year!
http://www.ampmagazine.com/9945/emery-stream-interview-with-vocalist-toby-morrell/
Well, I guess I will weigh in on this album now that I have finally had the time to listen to the stream. First off, if you are an Emery fan you will definitely like this album. I have never been a big fan of Emery except for their last album. This is definitely heavier than anything else they have done, but I agree with Brandon that I don’t see the Solid State connection. The album starts off furious but the last 3-4 tracks are very non Solid State. Either way, I think this will be an album will be a success for them.
I’m really looking forward to this! Despite Devin having a minor role, the album sounds great from what I’ve heard.
So bummed Devin’s isn’t a big part of the album.
Wow, since when do people not like I’m Only a Man? That is one of my favorites, although I love every Emery record. I’d say my least favorite is actually The Weak’s End. It has some good songs but overall is just okay in my opinion.
In complete agreement, Eric.
yeah I’m Only A Man gets too much hate and The Weak’s End is overrated. Regardless, In Shallow Seas We Sail completely dominates all of their other material in my opinion.
Emery has a new song “I Never Got To See the West Coast” up on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iX3jR5TmbPI