Review Summary: Refreshingly inspired, just as they are original, this debut EP is a showcase of marvelous talent which leaves you with a positive feeling in the end.
Thinking back to it, I kind of forget how I first discovered Emanuel and the Fear. I have never heard of any of the members. Nobody ever told me a thing about them, and... I wasn't too sure of the name. "Emanuel and the Fear"?... I got the wrong impression that this was an 11 year-old boy-band. But upon catching the catchy opening song to this EP ("The Rain Becomes The Clouds") on 'YouTube', that very impression was put to rest and laid fresh new room in my imagination for a world of wonderfully constructed music.
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1) "The Rain Becomes The Clouds"
Here's the track that first introduced me to the world of Emanuel and the Fear. It's said to be about a random stroll through New York City (watch the music video). I believe it because whenever I go for a random stroll through my city, I think of this song. The lyrics are simple and the all-around production of the song is better then that which they presented on 'YouTube' with their music video; the added "clap-claps" throughout just liven the atmosphere (which a song with this kind of name should most certainly do). Terrific opening track and a great download.
Rating: 5 out of 5
2) "Comfortable Prison"
I must admit, I was a little wondered in purchasing this EP at first. I thought that it would be the very definition of the term "one-hit wonder"... Thankfully, that thought instantly slipped away upon listening along to "Comfortable Prison". In my opinion, this is the very best track on this EP (and that's saying a lot). I love simplicity in music, and this is beautifully simple. The lyrics, written by Emanuel and the Fear frontman Emanuel Ayvas, are absolutely tremendous. It all leads to a climax/ending that's so perfect... it's almost heart-breaking (thankfully, for my sake, it's only "heart-wrenching").
Rating: 5 out of 5
3) "Jimme's Song"
The longest song on the CD is quite possibly the radio-friendliest track, as well. Once again, the lyrics are tremendous. Emanuel Ayvas shines as a musical genius. He knows how to write a tremendous piece and deliver an outstanding product. This is another great song that's about a quarter too long, with the last quarter delivering weird comments on Burger King, children and animals from (supposedly) Jimme himself. It doesn't degrade from the song too badly, but it gets a little too over-produced in that last quarter for my tastes. However, it's still (most definitely) a superb piece of music.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
4) "We're All Alright Tonight"
Enter my least favourite song on this particular 5-track EP. The song's called "We're All Alright Tonight" and it opens up promising and features my favourite WORD from the EP. That word is: sift. I just love that word! Whenever I hear it on this track, I grip onto it with everything in a soul. It's awesome. However, I have a major problem with this track that brings it down quite a bit... Why did they need to auto-tune the vocalist (who is also Emanuel Ayvas)? I absolutely hate auto-tune. It's a thing to be used strictly for singers who can't sing. Not the opposite. The one (and only) compliment I can give the auto-tune is that it makes for a great app on your iPod.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
5) "Two"
Looking at the title of this song ("Two") made me a little worried because I kept thinking of the generic uses for such words (ex. "two lovers"). But, this surprised and shocked the world out of me. It's a piano piece, played by Emanuel Ayvas, that brings this impressive EP to an outstanding close. As I said before, I love simplicity. This song is as simple as can get. I love it.
Rating: 5 out of 5
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While not perfect (What is nowadays?), this debut EP is a spectacular effort that pays off in a big way with some of the best songs I have (personally) ever heard in a long, long time. Anticipating the arrival of their debut record "Listen", which I recently ordered from HMV, this 25 minute-long adventure swings like a masterstroke across the morning sky. A great discovery. Purchase it now.
Download-Worthy Tracks:
1) "Comfortable Prison"
2) "The Rain Becomes The Clouds"
3) "Two"
[Just do yourself a favour and download the entire EP.]
