Search - Juliana Theory :: Emotion Is Dead

Excellent Emo and Various Styles

Brendan Berkley | Pittsburgh | 12/07/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought The Juliana Theory's "Emotion is Dead" on a whim, mainly because the band came from my area, and I was interested in the emo sound. After buying it, and after having it grow on me, I will say without a doubt that it is one of the best CDs in my music collection.As I said, the varying styles are one of the factors that make this CD good. "To the Tune of 5,000 Screaming Children" and "If I Told You This Was Killing Me, Would You Stop?" are a heavier style, "Understand the Dream Is Over" takes more of a punk style, and songs like "You Always Say Goodnight, Goodnight", which is 9 min 30 sec long, are just a pure emo song that are very stirring. Two interludes, "Emotion Is Dead Part I and II" add to the style. Brett Detar, the lead singer, has a tremendous voice. He has an amazing range to his voice that allows him to emote very well. He sounds powerful when he sings high, and dark when he sings low. There are catchy melodies and quality harmonies.The Juliana Theory brings a good message to their CDs ("Is Patience Still Waiting?" "Don't Push Love Away"). They are under Tooth and Nail Records, and that is why their CDs are sold in Christian stores, but they are not a Christian band. Not all of their members are Christian, and Jesus is never explicitly stated. However, their good messages and lack of swearing and other things make their lyrics good to sing along to.This is a stirring CD from a wonderful band, and I would definately recommend it to anyone would talk to me about it. So buy this CD!"

Awesome CD

Sancho Perez | the quon | 02/28/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I had never heard of the Juliana Theory before this CD came out. It was under my recommendations so I thought I'd try it out After a few listens I was hooked. Not only are there great vocals and great music, the words actually have meaning. The only draw backs are "This is Your Life" on the cd because it sounds way too poppy. Also, "You Always Say Goodnight". Whythey had to make it 9 minutes long?But on to the positives. The first song, "Into the Dark" is a great way to start of the CD, the vocals are really good and so is the guitar. They have great harmony and you can tell they actually put some effort into it unlike a lot of other punk/emo bands. Some of TJT kid of sounds like some Getup Kids stuff, which is good because the Getup Kids are awesome. The second song "Don't Push Love Away", is a really powerful song, but really sentimental. "To the Tune of 5000 Screaming Children" has a weird title, but is a really good song. The lyrics are amazing, what a way to get back at your critics. I like the lines comparing the critics words to paper fists. "We're at the Top of the World" is kind of an easy listening song. "Is Patience Still Waiting?" I don't know, but its a darn good song. It starts of kind of like a Lit song with similar vocal, but is able to change while still retaining the original idea. "Dot Matrix With Stereo" is one of the two instrumental tracks on the CD, it has a neat rythym going on and has a cool bass. "If I told You This Was Killing Me" is one of my favorites. It is a little bit heavier and has thought provoking lyrics and the words recall to me several people I know. "We're Nothing Without You" is my favorite song on the cd just because it is the best, and one of the best songs ever. "Understand The Dream Is Over" is more catered to the Punk listeners because of its faster pace but is pretty good just the same. A song I could See being played on the radio. "The Emotion is Dead Part 2" is the other instrumental track. It takes teh beat and the melody of the beginnig of "You Always say Goodnight" and adds some other elements. Almost kind of a techno/trance song, it works and is a perfect outro for the CD. The point is "The Emotion is Dead" is a great CD and only gets better after each listen. You will really enjoy it."

This CD deserves more than 5 stars. Phenomenal.

Anthony Boyd | California | 02/01/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is just miles beyond their previous CD. Talk about growth. Whatever shred of potential the music industry saw on Juliana Theory's first recordings, paid off big time here. I don't know how well the CD can sell, being stuck on a small Christian label, but it certainly would sell well if marketed to MTV. The overall sound, for those new to Juliana Theory, is something like a mix of Oasis, Green Day, and early 77s, but with some more complex layers. The music is deep, if that is possible.Lyrically, the band has seen huge improvements from the cliches they tossed around on the previous CD. Consider the song, "To The Tune Of 5,000 Screaming Children" -- which appears to be a response to some overly critical (anti) fans: "We're not misinformed or misdirected. We'll make our own insurrection. You're a paper fist, a faceless attack. We're not about to break like you do." I must admit, I've never heard of a "paper fist" before, and it certainly conveys a whole lot in two words. That takes talent and original thinking.Musically, the group has moved well beyond garage band recordings. It sounds like they actually spent some time in the studio. The guitars, singing, and drums have moved to a new level, with strings, piano, backing vocals, effects, and other additions fleshing out the sound.For instance, the song, "Is Patience Still Waiting" -- which sounds like what you'd get if the bands Lit and Filter merged -- has some well-placed background vocals that make the song rich and interesting. The first song, "Into The Dark", starts with a synthesizer-like pipe organ sound, but quickly overwhelms it with crashing guitars, harmonized choruses, and what seems like a good number of instruments playing on top of each other, but working together quite well."Understand The Dream Is Over" is a great rock song. "This Is Your Life" with its soaring chorus, is probably going to keep them at the top of the EMO movement (even though the CD is titled, "Emotion Is Dead"). Finally, the song "Don't Push Love Away" is challenging to listen to, but very rewarding. The song has kind of a whiney chorus, and when the guitars chime in for the chorus, it's in a slightly off key -- maybe it's flat, I don't know (I'm no musician). But the thing is, the song really works. They totally pulled it off, and the sound was obviously deliberate. And I love when the drummer hits the cymbals over and over again during the bridge ("she's crying, she's crying"). And the (female?) backing vocals at the end sound great. It feels like these guys are really learning how to craft a compelling sound. Totally worth the price."