Review Summary: Well I'm done feeling sorry for myself
A cool user named Pmmets07 posed the question "best emo release since snowing?" on the soundoff page for the self titled, first full length album by Park Jefferson. This statement caused quite a quandary in my mind and I couldn't stop thinking about it every time I listened to this album.
Park Jefferson should be a simple listen for me, it's just another emo record, and hell, around half the songs I already knew because they were previously released on EPs. But I loved those songs when I first heard them, and I still love them, but because of this simple, innocent, and I'm sure slightly sarcastic remark made by a random user, I just couldn't wrap my head around this release for the longest time.
There have been a lot of great emo albums that have come out since Snowing dissolved, but I know a lot of people don't feel that way. They feel that the emo scene has become stagnant and all the bands sound the same. But the funny thing is, Park Jefferson are one of those bands. They're completely archetypal twinkly emo revival, but the thing is, they're so good it doesn't matter. Park Jefferson have the emo formula down to a tee: math rock inspired twinkly arpeggios broken up by open note and octave chords, soft emotional vocals that can transcend into passionate screaming at any moment, and of course, reflective and heartfelt lyrics. A lot can be said about a band that's unique and tries different things, but there's also a lot of merit in a band that can play a familiar sound, but play it better than anyone else.
Park Jefferson is not my favorite emo release of the past three years nor do I think it's the best emo release since Snowing, but if a more specific question like "Is
Park Jefferson the best archetypal, by the numbers emo release of the last few years?" I would have to give a resounding "yes."
