Give In To The Fear

Artist: Emanuel and the Fear
Album: Listen
Label:Paper Garden Records
Release Date: March 9, 2010
Website: http://www.emanuelandthefear.com/

Stand Out Tracks: Simple Eyes, Jimme's Song, The Rain Becomes the Clouds

With this being the first post here on What's in Rotation, it seems only appropriate that I pick Emanuel and the Fear's first full length album Listen. For those of you who read my little introduction post, I talked about how there was a time when it seemed like every album I was listening to was a bit of a let down. Even some of my favorite bands were producing maybe only one or two listenable tracks per album. It's what eventually made me give up reviewing music. And almost made me give up on new music all together.

I was all ready to write myself off as one of those guys who'd just sit around complaining about how music was better in my day, but then I heard New York based band Emanuel and the Fear.

Having discovered them on Fearless Music late one Saturday night, I was treated to an amazing performance of their song The Rain Becomes the Clouds; a song that seemed to capture a sense of optimism that's been absent for quite some time. Not only the lyrics but the music itself seemed to promise something great just around the corner. And whether the song was meant to foreshadowing things to come or not, the release of Listen in early March proved Emanuel and the Fear could easily fulfill whatever promises they were making.

The album offers tracks that capture the same upbeat optimism as The Rain Becomes the Clouds, but it also resonates with an intensity that the band has harnessed to perfection. They are able to unleashed this intensity in a raw fury for songs like Guatemala and We're All Alright Tonight, but then internalized it and let it quietly build to an explosion in tracks such as Simple Eyes and Jimme's Song. The arrangements are rich and lush, taking full advantage of all eleven members of the band. And while such a strong lineup playing with such intensity could potentially alienate listeners, Emanuel and the Fear manages to find that perfect balance which keeps their songs accessible for both the casual listener and those looking for a more engrossing listening experience.

However you choose to listen to Emanuel and the Fear though, the one thing that will remain constant is feeling that no matter how jaded you may have become with contemporary music, there's once again a reason to be optimistic.

RATING: 9.5/10