The dudes in EMERY have been releasing music at a rapid pace since they debuted in 2004 with The Weak’s End. Back then they mostly made a living off decidedly catchy rock songs that balanced really good singing with razor sharp screaming. They continued to subscribe to this formula on 2005′s The Question, although I would argue they started to fill out their songs more in the process. While they haven’t exactly been the most loved band because of the nature of their vocals, it became evident after 2007′s I’m Only A Man that they were much better off being a semi-heavy band as this was a flat out terrible album full of very confused songwriting (if you need an example, one listen to “Don’t Bore Us, Get To The Chorus” should do it). Fortunately, with …In Shallow Seas We Sail, EMERY avoid some of those past hiccups in favor of the kind of stuff that will stoke earlier fans.

“Cutthroat Collapse” is the same kind of opener as “Walls” or “So Cold I Could See My Breath” in that it begins with a flood of noise capped off with those stinging screams. It’s good to hear from EMERY considering they do it so well. The rest of the song is full of the typical: mixture of distorted and melodic guitar tones, quick breakdowns, and full, baritone singing. The only sting here is the bit of electronic effects carried over from I’m Only A Man, but it only lasts for a few seconds (thankfully). “Piggy Bank Lies” and “Curbside Goodbyes” are both in the same vein as “Cutthroat” in that they are heavier songs with solid doses of screaming. The rest of the album plays it safe with a mixture of radio-ready rock tunes (“I’ve Got A Way”) and some that have that poppier edge (“Inside Our Skin”) before ending in dramatic fashion with “Open Hands, Closed Eyes.”

…In Shallow Seas We Sail is most definitely a return to form for EMERY after a disappointing third disc. It’s incredible to believe that they have made it this far in such a genre, but they have managed to put their own spin on it in this time. At this point in time though, EMERY won’t be drawing in many new fans as most have likely made up their mind on the band’s style. That said, longtime listeners should surely get a kick out of several of the songs here.