Search - Screeching Weasel :: Emo

Ben Weasel Jumps on the Band Wagon

Tyler Womack | Austin, Texas United States | 04/19/2001

(1 out of 5 stars)

"This album is NOT the Screeching Weasel we know and love. Ben Weasel basically formed an entirely new band prior to writing this album, and then rehashed his sound. Don't be fooled, though: This rehash is more vomit than metamorphosis. Like many other "punk" bands in the modern era, Ben Weasel attempted to turn his efforts toward softer, gentler, quasi-poetic, quasi-emotional music. The result: An entire mistake. Like "Bark Like A Dog," this album lacks the catchiness. It is sadly devoid of the raw sound that made Screeching Weasel good. Watch out for anything that is self-described as "Emo," especially when it comes from one of the foremost punkers of the old school. Reattach your balls, Ben."

It seems to me you shut out anything that might confuse

Matthew McPherson | Landisburg, PA United States | 05/31/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For starters, I'm glad that now, about 2 years after the release of the album, people are starting to give this album good reviews. The first time I listened to Emo, it blew me away. It is easily 2 steps beyond anything put out by Screeching Weasel previously. Take the best songs from their earlier albums (Anthem for a New Tomorrow, I Robot, My Brain Hurts, Slogans, It's All in my Head, Going Home, I Wrote Holden Caulfield) and put together an album comprised almost totally of songs of that caliber and you have Emo. The only weak songs are Sidewalk Warrior and the cover of 'the Cranberries' Linger (which would have been good somewhere else, but wasn't up to par for this album). In the liner notes, Ben said that he didn't expect the kids to like the album. I thought he was being, as always, his own worst critic. Nope, he hit the nail on the head. Poor reviews poured in. Without the two aforementioned weak songs, this would have been my favorite album of all time. Tip for all the SW 'fans' who didn't like Emo: don't pretend to be his friend when you're just standing on his head."

Some of the best punk I have ever listened to

Pooka | UK | 03/24/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Screeching Weasel fans, take note: This is not an album to pop into your player and listen to casually. A refreshing change from political or simply satirical punk, Emo takes the personal and emotional and makes it so affecting that you can't ignore it. Many people, expecting another album like Beat Is On The Brat or Teen Punks In Heat may be disappointed. However, anyone that listens to this album openly and tries their best to grasp the meanings should be pleasently suprised. From "Acknowledge" a manifesto of personal enlightenment, to "Passion" a track about embracing life, SW has created a perfect album, marred only with the presence of "Linger", a cover of the Cranberries that seems unsuited and ill-fitting when placed among the pieces of genius this album contains. Though it has recieved many negative reviews in the past, this album is the best of punk: deep, affecting, and resonant. I heartily reccommend you purchase this album, whomever you are."