Punknews.org

|
Sign In | create an account

The Juliana Theory

Emotion Is Dead (2000)
Tooth & Nail Records

Reviewer Rating:

User Rating:

Contributed by: KirbyPuckett
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on December 19th 2003

” Here's a thought, if you're willing to listen. I only tell the truth of the feelings I'm given. - The Juliana Theory

I first heard about the Juliana Theory way back on this album’s release date in 2000. It was also the first time I heard the term “Emo” ::shutters::

There was a pretty lengthy article in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette hyping up the new record by the Pittsburgh quintet. The article gave it nothing but kudos, so off to the record store I went.

I was a little surprised at first, because at the time all I listened to was the Epitaph and Fat Wreck sound and Ska. This whole “Emo” thing was all new to me and it was defiantly a term the band hated having applied to them. To me, it was just a very poppy rock record.

“We’re at the Top of the World” is unquestionably one of those cute songs your female friend would love if you put it on a mix tape for her. It’s upbeat, catchy, and pretty corny, but you’ll be singing along with the “Sha la la la’s” in no time.

The first five tracks really set this band up for a remarkable record but after the instrumental “Emotion is Dead, Pt. 1” things slide downhill, fast. The first half of the disc has its buoyant melodies that draw you in and the darker moments are done precisely. However, the backend of the album seems like its all filler. “Understand the Dream is Over” is an exception though, it’s an enjoyable song that would have fit better earlier in the album. The second instrumental track aptly named “Emotion is Dead, Pt. 2” leaves you thinking that this would have made a marvelous EP.

In general if you’re a fan of some popped up rock music or you like the swarm of bands on the “Emo” bandwagon then this disc is for you. Have no fear though; it’s nothing like their latest full length “Love.”

Login to rate this album

People who liked this also liked:

Please login or register to post comments.

What are the benefits of having a Punknews.org account?

Share your opinion by posting comments on the stories that interest you
Rate music and bands and help shape the weekly top ten
Let Punknews.org use your ratings to help you find bands and albums you might like
Customize features on the site to get the news the way you want.

Anonymous (January 25, 2006)

This was the first time I, honestly, ever listened to Reggiecore.

Needless to say, I was hooked thereafter.

Sha-la-la-la-la.

Screw that Orchid crap! TJT is bringing it back, old-school emo!

Anonymous (December 23, 2003)

Wow this site is fucking retarded...someone should go fuck this guys girlfriend in the ass...lord knows his dicks too small

Anonymous (December 22, 2003)

i saw this band play with the Get Up Kids in 2000 in pittsburgh at laga. holy shit were they bad. not one person was into their set. "emo" was a new thing to me too. i was going to the guk show cuz it was a friend of mine's favorite band and i wanted to see what this "emo" thing was. i never expected this style to get so damn popular. i'm not sure where i'm going with this, but yeah, this band sucks.

Anonymous (December 22, 2003)

The Powers (Long May they hold court; Long may they shit light on the heads of the damned) think this CD sucks donkey balls. The powers also think that the Julianna Theory are about as whack as Linkin Park.

-The Yattering-

Anonymous (December 22, 2003)

Do you think these god fearing faggots ever read their reviews or hear what actual people think of them (not 13 year old girls) and feel bad about themselves? Maybe one of them is on verge of killing themselves. One can only hope it happens.

P.S. Great Sunglasses guys!

GreenVandal (December 22, 2003)

word

Anonymous (December 22, 2003)

H.R. told me Jah hates this and only bloodclot faggots like it... So I'm taking his advice.

-BSD

Anonymous (December 22, 2003)

For as much as I am not a fan of The Berlin Project, I think they beat the hell out of that pussy TJT shit.

Anonymous (December 21, 2003)

Fuck this band! They suck!
sincerely,
I Against Funkisdead Jah.

Anonymous (December 21, 2003)

i find it stupid how everyone has to analyse terms so much. relax, the word emo really isn't going to kill you, it's just a term.

GreenVandal (December 21, 2003)

AHHHHHHHH!

AHHH! AHHHH! AHHHHHHHHHHH!

NOOOOOOOOOO

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
HHHHHHHHHHHHH
HHHHHHH
HHHH!!!!

nuf said

at_the_drive_in_21 (December 21, 2003)

I kinda dig the instrumental electronic songs

Anonymous (December 20, 2003)

At least it's not the Berlin Project.

Don't even get me fucking started on those assholes.

- Scott
http://www.local-felons.com/

boba_fett (December 20, 2003)

i have the tooth and nail cd, songs from the penalty box volume 4, and it has to the tune of 3000 screaming children and i remember how much i used to listen to that song, and then i popped the cd in the old cd player the other day and i said gee this whole cd fucking sucks!

and by the way. its shudders. not shutters. somebody gonna fix that?

Icapped2pac (December 20, 2003)

"Am I the only one who considers "If I told you this was killing me, would you stop?" a great song?"

Not at all. There was many a drunken night in my basement back in college spent by me and my friends scaring the frat boys and sor-whores who came to our parties by throwing on stuff like this, A3, GUK, JEW, etc, and singing along like raving lunatics. There's like 4 or 5 standout songs on this, and those in themselves are pretty fucking good, the rest is dreck though, especially "top of the world".

FortyMinutesWest (December 20, 2003)

At least it's not the Berlin Project.

Anonymous (December 20, 2003)

I hate this band with all the fire and passion in my heart.

Anonymous (December 20, 2003)

Am I the only one who considers "If I told you this was killing me, would you stop?" a great song?

Anonymous (December 20, 2003)

"stop. writing. emo. in. quotes."

They were needed to emphasize my point of the word.

- Scott
http://www.local-felons.com/
(god my teeth hurt)

Anonymous (December 20, 2003)

this is a great record.

If you don't like the genre of the band, your opinion does not change anything.

It's still a great record.
-thereislifeinthis-

Kurt_F (December 20, 2003)

To the Tune of 3,000 Screaming Children and Into the Dark are great songs.

Anonymous (December 20, 2003)

stop. writing. emo. in. quotes.

sickboi (December 19, 2003)

These guys are the kings of "Time-Life Operator-core".

Anonymous (December 19, 2003)

Sorry, this one of the best emo albums released

r-punk (December 19, 2003)

thats about as accurate a review of this album i can think of. some real good songs, mainly in the beginning of the album and some real fluff near the end. definitely something you could put on if your girl isnt in to punk

Anonymous (December 19, 2003)

jawsome