Faced with the loss of charter member Joel "Chopper" Green and a reduction to a quintet, many fans were left wondering how Emery would respond and more specifically exactly how this event would impact future songs and records. In the band's first release since the loss of their original bassist, I'm Only a Man, the band seeks to calm doubters, while at the same time develop a new sound in correspondence to their altered appearance.

The Seattle based band, which also has strong ties to Clemson University, returns with their third LP in six years. Upon first listen, traces of their previous hardcore and emo tendencies can be heard, but the sound largely appears much softer and quieter. Many songs completely lack the screaming choruses made famous on previous records and particularly at live concerts. Older fans may miss the anger and angst filled melodies that have somewhat disappeared especially when listening to new tunes like "World Away." Meanwhile newer followers or simply listeners who enjoy their rock style and are turned off by the screaming and loud instrumental sections, like myself, can find much to enjoy on the new album.

The band experiments with some new genres incorporating elements of electronic music in tracks like "Don't Bore Us, Get To The Chorus" through the use of synthesizers. It also incorporates the acoustic guitar, a change for the band, and even features the instrument and style in a few bonus tracks added to the special edition of the release. The extraordinarily long instrumental in the final song of the album also represents a new characteristic not seen on their earlier releases.

Although some of the hardcore and emo screaming that helped make Emery famous may be missing and new softer elements have taken their place, the same passion that inspired the band's earlier lyrics and music remains in place and drives the new album. Their deep lyrics allow others to relate easily as they portray and discuss personal regrets and mistakes made in the past. Expressing anger at past friends, themselves, bad situations and poor decisions they seem to be lamenting the same feelings as most emo bands. They diverge however, making reference to faith and God in some of their songs presenting a ray of hope and something constant to hold on to, something rarely heard in typical emo songs due in part to the fact that Emery, while not directly labeled as a Christian band is composed of Christian artists. In addition the lyrics reference my favorite song by my favorite band, so I have to appreciate their lyrical genius.

The obscure and ridiculously long track titles seen on The Question continue to entertain their listeners on the new CD. "You Think You're Nickel Slick (But I Got Your Penny Change)" definitely ranks as one of the longest and most amusing titles I've ever seen.

Future concerts performed by Emery will be interesting as they maintain a balance between their earlier more emo and scream music and more recent softer tunes. Either way, I'm Only a Man while certainly different from previous works (possibly in a positive direction, in my opinion) still contains songs that all Emery fans will enjoy listening to repeatedly.