Search - Emerson Drive :: Emerson Drive

Really good cd!

Peter | Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada | 12/03/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"First of all, this review was written by a guy, so i don't want you to think i like this group because of what the band members look like. I judge a group or artist on talent, not looks, and unfortunately with too many people it's the other way around, and they go for the looks and then decide the music is good just because the guys in the band are all cute. What a ...way to judge a band. I'm not sure if this is Emerson Drive's debut cd, but if it is then they have a promising career ahead of them. The vocals and harmonies are really excellent, and the whole production is quality. I bought this cd for the single "Fall Into Me." I was working one night and heard that song on the radio and went out the next day to buy the disc, i was so taken with how great that song is. When i picked up the cd, i was pleasantly surprised to find they also did the song "I Should Be Sleeping", which i also think is great. I like Fall Into Me much better though. And i was pleasantly surprised to learn that the song was produced by Richard Marx, who is not only Canadian (i'm from Canada), but is also one hell of a great song writer and producer. Anyone who grew up in the 80s will remember many of his songs. If you listen closely to Fall Into Me, and you're familiar with Richard Marx's vocal style and the way he arranges his songs musically, you'll understand perfectly that it sounds a lot like something he would have done himself. The thing i found most about this whole cd is that it's more of a rock cd than a country cd. The editorial reviewer was correct in saying that bands like Rascal Flatts and Emerson Drive play rock masquerading as country. I really don't consider Fall Into Me much of a country song, other than the fact that there's fiddles and a hint of mandolin in the background, but the guitar and drum tracks tell a different story. But the line between country and rock has become so blurred today that sometimes it's hard to tell one from the other. All in all this is a great cd, no matter what style you want to classify this under. It's part country and part pop rock. And i find this cd better than Rascal Flatts, of which they are being compared to. Rascal Flatts has some good hits, i'm not putting them down. But this cd is a real standout. The disc gets better with each listen, and although some of the harmony arrangements sound similar, there is enough of a difference that each song has its own personality. Passionate Desperate Love is another standout track for the group that should be the next single. It's an uptempo dance cut that has a great energy to it that never lets up until the final fadeout chord. Say My Name is another good choice for hit single, with catchy lyrics and rhythms. The only song that i wasn't too crazy about was Hollywood Kiss, with it's celebrity name-dropping roll call of who is hot and big in the entertainment industry right now. I literally cringed when they started mentioning Celine Dion, Jennifer Lopez, and Jennifer Love Hewett. Bad move guys. The song came off as a tad cheesy because of that, and i can't stand any of those three females. I find songs like that just end up making it sound dated when you hear it years down the road. It's because of that song that i dropped your rating by one star. Otherwise i would have glady given you guys a five-star rating. Anyway, if your next cd is as outstanding as this one is i'll be picking it up for sure."

If you like Rascal Flatts, you'll be ready for this drive!

Peter | 06/26/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"These days, rarely does a CD offer more than one or two listenable songs in one package. Emerson Drive is the exception. This debut CD rocks. It's a thin line between pop and country and rock. And these guys tow the line nicely. Stand out songs (besides their great hit "I Should Be Sleeping") include "Fall into Me," "Passionate Sexy Love," "Say My Name," etc. This CD is definitely worth owning."

I love EDrive!

K. Stuckey | Port Huron, MI USA | 05/28/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was really impressed by their debut single, "I Should Be Sleeping" - and the rest of Emerson Drive's debut record is just as good. "I Should Be Sleeping" is kind of buried as the sixth song on their 12 song debut, but it is so wonderfully written by Lisa Drew ("There is No Arizona") and Shaye Smith ("Single White Female"). This CD is one that you can put on and listen to all the way through - it is that good!
The songs on the CD are mostly upbeat and all about being in love. My second favorite song is "Passionate Desperate Love", written by Brett Beavers - Pat A's fiddle skills are showcased well!! "Looking Over My Shoulder" and "Evidence" sound kinda alike, but Brad's sexy voice brings both both alive. "Only God (Could Stop Me Loving You)" is the big power ballad on the CD, but "Fall Into Me" is the kind of song every girl wants to hear about a guy who will be there for her. "Say My Name" has lots of cute pop culture references in it and has a very cool beat.
The guys all appear to be in their 20s/early 30s and ARE pleasing to look at. If you like country music with some substance...this may not be it, but that doesn't mean it is bad. The past year or so has been somewhat crowded with new artists - Little Big Town, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Kevin Denney, Joe Nichols, Brad Martin - no one knows how long any of them will be around, but for my money Emerson Drive will be making hits for a while!!"