Check out the new concept album from Rusty Shipp!
Check out the new concept album from Rusty Shipp!

JFH Music Review



Emery
I'm Only A Man



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 11 tracks: 48 minutes, 28 seconds
Street Date: October 2, 2007


Emery's third album has been anticipated by fans and critics since their mind-blowing sophomore album, The Question, graced our ears. With that release, the bar was set pretty high, and expectations for I'm Only a Man have been great. As they began to promote the new CD with new songs on their myspace, fans sent mixed messages: "this rocks!" and "what happened?"

At first listen, I was agreeing with the latter. I simply believe that Emery set the bar up high very early on with only their second release. With that, people thought they had a lot up their sleeves and could deliver projects like The Question over and over again. The harmonies, the metaphoric lyrics, the instruments, and the mixed vocals: consisting of angelic harmonies and heart-wrenching screams; it was beautifully put together. I thought with this third release, these elements existed, just not in the order they had previously, which threw me off because I still listen to The Question quite often. Such a different feel just wasn't expected. However, the more listens given to I'm Only a Man, the more treasures are found, along with the consistency and the emotion felt when listening to The Question. So, if at first you don't find it so tasteful, a few more listens are likely to change your mind.

The disc opens up with the two songs that were first released on myspace for the public: "Rock-N-Rule" and "The Party Song." The opening track is well placed as it sets the motion going for the rest of the record. "The Party Song" slightly differs from the demo version that was online, however the changes are spot-on and make the song's quality multiply from what it already was. Also, the subject matter of this song is ideal as many of us can relate to friends using drugs and alcohol as remedies, and the trials we face in the convincing of others that those decisions are wrong and destructive to them and their futures. From there, the I'm Only a Man goes into a few songs that are sure to become fan favorites. "Worlds Away" is an upbeat tune about "the feeling I get when I want to return everything that's in my life." "The Story About a Man With a Bad Heart" is a roller-coaster ride in both vocal and lyrical content, and definitely one of the more emotional songs on the record. "What Makes a Man a Man" is a beautiful softer song that includes amazing instrumental performances accompanied with harmonizing vocals that are oh so pleasing to the ears. The only song that feels out of place on the record is "Don't Bore Us, Get To The Chorus" which starts off with chants of "Never gonna go away…" which abruptly changes into soft vocals, then into quick guitars and drums, and finally into electronic vocals and keys. This pattern repeats throughout the song and proves to be very sporadic and unpredictable. The album closes with an eleven minute song, "From Crib to Coffin," whose tempo starts off slow and sad but goes into a faster pace with emotional screams. It is an ideal ending that wraps everything up and leaves the listener satisfied.

The biggest theme found in I'm Only a Man can even be identified in the title: the imperfections of humans, mistakes, and sin. Many of the songs revolve around mistakes and the regret that follows them; the moments which we look back and say "if I had only known then what I know now…" The lyrics are not very spiritual, most of them dealing with relationships with women, and/or man versus himself situations. The statement "I'm only a man," or statements extremely similar, are found throughout the record normally in the context of "I looked at what I had done, and I realized I'm only a man"- the realization that we are not God; we are not perfect. We will mess up in life, but our faults enable us to learn and gain triumphs. We shouldn't use our humanity as an excuse to sin, but to use it a tool to learn from.

Overall, this album delivers the essentials that Emery fans tend to look for: lyrical depth, beautiful instrumentals, and touching vocals. Some may be a bit skeptical at first, as it does seem a tad different from the preceding albums. Do not be hesitant about buying the record, however- its treasures are there, and the more you listen to I'm Only a Man, the more you fall in love with it. This album, without a doubt, continues to prove Emery's talent as individual musicians and collectively as a band.

- Review date: 9/30/07, written by Lindsay Wiseman



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

 

CD

Buy This CD Online


. Record Label: Tooth & Nail Records
. Album length: 11 tracks: 48 minutes, 28 seconds
. Street Date: October 2, 2007
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. Rock-N-Rule (3:38)
  2. The Party Song (3:31)
  3. World Away (3:38)
  4. After the Devil Beats His Wife (4:31)
  5. Can't Stop the Killer (3:32)
  6. Story About a Man with a Bad Heart (3:28)
  7. Don't Bore Us, Get to the Chorus (3:33)
  8. What Makes a Man a Man (4:24)
  9. The Movie Song (3:09)
  10. You Think You're Nickel Slick (But I Got
    Your Penny Change) (3:45)
  11. From Crib to Coffin (10:44)
spacer Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics

Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 

 

                 
Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

Search JFH



This Wednesday, July 16, 2025
SINGLES
1K Phew Yet - Single [Reach]

This Friday, July 18, 2025
ALBUMS
Justin Gambino Just Like Jesus - EP [Residence Music]
The Inspirations Up Above The World So High [Horizon]
Mary-Clair Enough [Vere]
MotionPlus Improper Decorum [SoulFeeder, Polished Arrow Music]
Planetshakers Weight of Heaven [Venture3Media]
The Rocky Valentines Music On The Shelf [Velvet Blue]
Emilie Weiss Come Through (Studio Session) - EP [BEC]

SINGLES
Chris Caro OTW - Single [Syntax]
Aaron Cole Mercy - Single [RCAI]
Melvin Crispell III Reason To Dance - Single [RCAI]
Crowder STILL (feat. Zach Williams) - Single [Capitol CMG]
Ellie Holcomb Hope's Gonna Find You - Single [Capitol CMG]
Influence Music How You Do It - Single (independent)
Vic Lucas Holy Ghost (ft. Lady Audri) - Single [Syntax]
Paul and Hannah McClure Holy Hands (Live) - Single [Bethel]
Lizzie Morgan Can't Help But Praise - Single [Provident]
Kevi Morse Honest Cvlture ft. STIXX aka Conejo) - Single [Syntax]
Shekts Nelson Your Love - Single [Churchboy]
Blessing Offor Crying Out Loud - Single [Capitol CMG]
Remedy Drive Brighter Than Apathy (Reimagined) - Single (independent)
Rhymes in Harmony Lift Your Name - Single [Syntax]
Speedy the Artist Reach For Elohim - Single [Syntax]
Thrive Worship The One Who Saves - Single [Integrity]
Zane Walls Think About Me - Single [DREAM]

This Sunday, July 20, 2025
VINYL
King's X Manic Moonlight Vinyl [Girder]

Next Wednesday, July 23, 2025
ALBUMS
Eric Roberson Beautifully All Over The Place (independent)

Next Friday, July 25, 2025
ALBUMS
Anchor & Braille New Mexico [Equal Vision]
Bride Scarecrow Messiah CD Re-Release [Girder]
Olivia Lane Songs About Jesus (Deluxe Edition) [BEC]
Tasha Cobbs Leonard TASHA [Motown Gospel]
Josh Wright LEAD (independent)

SINGLES
Gracie Binion Easy To Please - Single [BEC]
Andrew Gonoude Closer To You - Single (independent)
Kings Kaleidoscope + Kings Kaleidoscope Hymns Amazing Grace - Single [BEC]
Tasha Layton Life In Me - Single [BEC]
Hunter Plake Down to Earth - Single [BEC]
Xander Sallows infinite - Single [DREAM]
Joel Vaughn Feel It - Single [DREAM]
Zauntee Jesus Down In Florida - Single [BEC]

VINYL
Bride Scarecrow Messiah Vinyl [Girder]

DVD
Jordan Smith The People's Hymnal DVD [Gaither]



For all release dates, click here!
 

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images