Val Emmich - Little Daggers Review
Posted by JR Simmang on 08.01.2008
Val Emmich, a real Renaissance Man, takes a break from Ugly Betty and Cashmere Mafia to chalk another album up to his repertoire. For those of you that like to remember the days where you smoked in the boy's bathroom at high school and rebelled against your parents, this may not be tha album for you. But if you like good music that's reminiscent of Counting Crows and What Made Milwaukee Famous, give this album a listen.
Val Emmich - Little Daggers
Track List:
1. The Lucky Ones
2. Get On With It
3. Got a Habit Now
4. Hurt More Later
5. Darling Denise
6. Too Far
7. Wake Up Brand New
8. We Still Bleed
9. Down
10. Catalyst
All right, show of hands, who watches Cashmere Mafia? Anyone? Me neither. For those of you who do, however, you may recognize the dashing good looks and vocals of none other than Val Emmich. I didn’t know what I was getting into as I pushed the CD into my CD player in my car. I most certainly wasn’t expecting what I heard, and I don’t think you will either. Little Daggers is most certainly worth the time.
A real renaissance man, in between writing a book, acting on the big screen, and quite an impressive repertoire of past CD’s and EP’s, Val Emmich cranked out a lusty, poppy, almost frothy album. It left me with a milk moustache. I don’t ask how it got there. This is a piece that’s meant for the crowd who still believe that it’s time, and always will be, to party like it’s 1999. Val is two parts Counting Crows, one part Collective Soul, and a mishmash of Coldplay, Tonic, and some times Moxy Fruvous and What Made Milwaukee Famous. Let’s just say you can definitely tell where his influences hail. His upbeat tempos seem to belie a fervent storm of emotion. He’s walks the listener through the trials and tribulations of a relationship from start to finish. His bittersweet lyrics meld with the quick bass and diabolic strumming.
At first I didn’t know what to expect. I though, great Creed just crossed the line. I’m personally going to go after Scott Stapp and let him have it. Or, just let his bodyguard have it. His voice has that same pungent aftertaste at first. Then I realized that there’s a softer side to Mr. Emmich. He’s just a man along for the ride. The first song, “The Lucky Ones”, opens like an adrenaline packed emo diatribe with some serious “do do do do’s.” His harmonies blend like strawberries and bananas. He carries the energy through to “Get On With It”, barely letting the listener catch a breath. The driving bass drum kicks the tempo up just a smidgen, fast enough to push the gas pedal just a little closer to getting pulled over. The good majority of the album is forward moving, hardly allowing any time to pull over and smell the proverbial roses.
Then there are songs like “Got a Habit Now”, “Too Far”, “Down”. These speak so true. And, I’m not being mushy. First, it’s alcohol and what it means to be drunk all the time. Been there, done that. Second, it’s getting into fights and not knowing when to stop. Again, it’s all been done. “Down” is a little counterintuitive, however. I know it sounds weird, but, it made me think that after all that Val and I have been through up to Track 9, he suddenly became Audio Adrenaline. I guess, when all else fails, turn to the Almighty.
There are three tracks here that I think are worth mentioning, not just for this article, but I think need some close attention. Ladies and gentlemen, I turn your attention to exhibits A, B, and C, tracks 4, 8, and 9. Normally, when I start to hear a small choir of boys, I think Harlem. And usually, I’m right. I keep them separated. I like my choirs with my choirs. However, there’s something to be said about a man who can orchestrate a choir’s inclusion into a pop song and pull it off. And to top things off, as if the Harlem Boys Choir wasn’t enough, “We Still Bleed” and “Down” utilize whistling and humming, respectively, which seriously blew my mind. The reason Val can pull it off is because he fluidly integrates it all with the intriguing melodies on the guitar and piano. He doesn’t try to hide it. Plus, I’m a sucker for waltzes. “Darling Denise” just made me smile.
And that’s where this album is successful. Little Daggers makes it very clear what makes finding a relationship so difficult. We try and try and it’s either never good enough, our words are misconstrued, the morning after is just that, or it ends before it begins. Val puts it where it’s easily accessible and fun. It’s a good album, better than his last, Woodstock. Give the album a look see. It does a body good.
The 411: Val Emmich delivers a no holds barred, in depth analysis of the ins and outs of a relationship gone bad, then got better, then got worse again. Little Daggers sweeps in strong, hits the nail on the head, has a waltz, which deserves praise all by itself, and makes you tap your feet. He includes difficult harmonies, whistling, and humming. A true mold- breaker.
