The Emo Diaries - Chapter 4 (original) (raw)

Reviews

"Deep Elm's fourth showcase of all-things emotional is just as good as its predecessors, if not better. The emo-core movement has taken its fair share of stick for emerging as the 'new man' of the hardcore genre. However, there is no time for any teary-eyed introspection here, as Five Speed tear through 'What's Our Dilemma' with tight riffing a la Shades Apart, while Sweden's coolly-monickered Keystone Sinatra bring to mind a youthful Quicksand, which is no bad thing. The UK contingent is represented with Spy versus Spy's impassioned 'Set The Spokes Alight.' An inspiring case of geek rock turned all the way up to 11." - Kerrang

"All bullsh*t aside, there isn't one thing that I've heard from Deep Elm that I didn't like, and their Emo Diaries compilation series is right at the top of the heap. It's an accomplishment to put out one compilation disc that is well-rounded and cohesive, let alone a whole series of them. Chapter Four, An Ocean Of Doubt, lives up to the same standards that Deep Elm had set forth with the other chapters. I might even say that this is my favorite (it's damn hard to choose though). You don't even have to worry about skipping, because this thing is great from start to finish and never goes stale. It's a deluge of shimmering noise, raw emotion, infectious melody and just plain high quality stuff the like of which I've come to expect from Deep Elm. I'm gonna wear this one out, blasting it during those still lazy summer afternoons, guzzling iced tea and waiting for the next chapter to come out." - Space City Rock

"Deep Elm has been releasing these compilations for some time, and they stick to a basic formula - unreleased tracks only, and they listen to the songs without knowing who the bands are. So, to say the least, it's an unpretentious compilation, where small bands are billed as highly as big ones. And to be honest, that's how it should be. Suffice to say, any compilation that starts (in Chapter One) with Jimmy Eat World and the almighty Samiam, has a tough act to follow. But later compilations have included Pop Unknown, Appleseed Cast, Starmarket and my new favorite band, Planes Mistaken for Stars. So they definitely do not disappoint. Chapter Four starts with a bang - a track by Fine Speed, called Dilemma. And believe me, it sets the stage for a diverse album. That track alone has enough dynamics to make the Pixies go home, pack it up, and start writing crappy solo albums. Other highlights include...well...every damn track on the record. Spy Versus Spy, Keystone Sinatra and Flux Capacitor don't just have great names, but have managed some true feats of musicianship. Emo, to me, is music that can stick a screwdriver between your ribs, and simultaneously lull you to sleep. Usually in the same song. These bands have it down. No Sunny Day Real Estate rip-off bands, but pure, primal, genuine emotion. Don't be surprised if you haven't heard of most of the bands on this compilation. But I'd be surprised if you don't soon." - Punk News

"Emo goes international. This latest installment from the newly relocated Deep Elm finds five international bands of the twelve on the disc (Sweden and Spain with two each and one from England), and near as I can tell, not one Deep Elm band in the bunch. Not that these samplers have exhibited any favoritism in the past. The purpose, it seems to me, has been to simply further document the advancement whatever it is that we're all calling emo these days. And that definition has certainly expanded during the past year. Hell, there's even a K-Tel emo sampler out now, but NOTHING comes close to the Emo Diaries. Once again, John has found twelve great songs and crafted together a disc which does a great job of exhibiting just what's been going on in this side of the punk universe. Bottom line: melody and craft are definitely on their way in. If you want more specifics, get the disc for yourself. This series has rapidly become the standard by which samplers are judged, and this chapter simply extends an already compelling storyline. I can't wait to turn another page." - Aiding And Abetting

"The extravagant proceedings kick off with an amazing track from FIVE SPEED who have all the melody, power and outright 'rockage' so required when it comes to me and my pleasant buddy emo getting along. And, as much of a cliche as it is, things continue from there. The massive, melodic chug of RED ANIMAL WAR keeps the power alive, while AINA add a slightly more off-beat and minimal dimension to the evenings proceedings. And of course how could I pass this review by without mentioning SPY VERSUS SPY's great effort, 'Set The Spokes Alight'? No, it isn't on their EP, and yes, it is exactly what you hoped it would be. Of course there's a lot more bands on here that you really need to hear if you want to experience the real emo underground, and they include THE MOVIELIFE, FURTHER SEEMS FOREVER (amazing), KEYSTONE SINATRA, FLUX CAPACITOR, MERRICK and more. If you have the previous three, this is a totally essential purchase, but if not, then... well you need all four mate. Roll on number five! - Fracture UK

"Emo Diaries IV is far better than most compilations I've heard lately. While a big name performer such as Planes Mistaken For Stars, Jimmy Eat World or Jazz June is missing to draw people's attention to this edition, these indie bands kick ass. The diversity on this comp is great. You get everything from Further Seems Forever's poppy in your face 'Vengeance Factor' to the screamy 'Set the Spokes Alight' by Spy Versus Spy to the beautiful twelve minute instrumental by Flux Capacitor. The thing that surprised me the most on this was the number of foreign bands. I had the false premonition that they might just be real repetitive and stereotypical, but in reality they are what bring this whole thing together. Real strong stuff from them. Lately, I've been finding a lot of these songs stuck in my head and Emo Diaries IV has been stuck in my stereo and for good reason. Deep Elm's done it again." - Action Attack Helicopter

"Putting on Emo Diaries IV, I was treated to a minute of feedback with a bit of hi-hat over it, and I was truly expecting 'multinational corporations' to blast out. What finally rips through the speakers is Five Speed, with a pegboy-esque stormer and probably my fave track on here although the quality throughout this comp is AMAZINGLY HIGH. Not once was I forced to lunge desperately for the skip button. Other highlights, like peaks in a very high mountain range, include Red Animal War, Further Seems Forever and Spy Versus Spy. If the previous three chapters were this good then this is a series to collect no matter what." - ENZK

"Chapter Four in the ongoing saga of emo, presented by those passionate kids at Deep Elm. They have collected twelve bands for this one, all of them exhibiting ingenuity and artistry. The intro is great, with a slow build up of distortion and feedback that explodes into a wall of cymbals and driving guitars. Originality, passion, catchy hooks, chord diversity and just that undefinable quality that separates the great from the good. A impressive compilation. Definitely worth finding." - Bandoppler

"Emo Diaries, Vol. 4: An Ocean of Doubt continues Deep Elm's sampler series, highlighting tracks from emo groups like Further Seems Forever, ODG and Keystone Sinatra. From Red Animal War's math rock-tinged 'Back Breaker' to the John Doe Band's poppy 'Supergirl' to Five Speed's straight-up, driving 'What's Our Dilemma,' the album catalogs emo's increasingly diverse sounds. Tracks like Spy Versus Spy's 'Set the Spokes Alight' and 'Distance' by Ed Matus' Struggle round out this collection of impassioned punk and pop, reaffirming Deep Elm's status as one of the best emo labels around." - All Music Guide

"I'm still kind of new to the whole 'emo' thing, and to be honest, the only band that I'd heard of on this were Spy Versus Spy. So, I sat down and listened, then I listened again, and again and again...before I knew it, I'd lost an entire afternoon. 'An Ocean Of Doubt' is one hell of a good compilation, calling on bands like Five Speed, The MovieLife, Merrick and a whole host of others to fulfill its objective. If you're new to the whole scene then "An Ocean Of Doubt, The Emo Diaries Chapter 4" is a great way to start catching up on what you've been missing." - Mass Movement