Emery, with Army of Me, Envy on the Coast, and the Almost

Michael Gallucci June 18, 2008 4:00AM

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Emery's big move turned out to be a major downer. Formed in South Carolina at the top of the decade, the screamo group packed its bags for Seattle, with images of superstardom dancing in its collective head. En route, on September 11, 2001, band members heard about the terrorist attacks. It wasn't a very cheery start. A pair of tepid albums followed over the next few years. But on 2007's I'm Only a Man, the quintet finally came to terms with its music, its past...and its Christianity. Hiding behind layers of guitars, chunky riffs, and singer Toby Morrell's larynx-shredding yelps, it was often difficult to figure out just what Emery was going on about. I'm Only a Man makes it clear: The guys are down with God, but they have no problem cranking up their guitars and singing about partying hardy. Plus, they consistently follow the advice of one of their best songs, "Don't Bore Us, Get to the Chorus," tunefully bringing the noise.