Empire! Empire! (I was a lonely estate)
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Empire! Empire! (I was a lonely estate)

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"YOTR Review - Punk News"

Empire! Empire! (I Was a Lonely Estate) might employ an over the top use of punctuation in their egregiously long band name, but once their beautiful instrumentation hits your ears, it might not matter.

Their two-song 7", Year of the Rabbit surely isn't Fucked Up-style experimental hardcore, but rather a gentle, cascading example of atmospheric mid-`90s emo á la American Football and their followers, Look Mexico. Hell, even the animal characters of the artwork resemble Look Mexico's similar tactic.

The nearly five-minute title track is on the A Side, and it's the highlight here. Empire! proceed with softly strummed guitars, rolling percussion and an understated, cautious vocal delivery with slight, desperate cries occasionally adding to the emotional tension of the song. It's missing a bit of buildup and release, but it's still rather well done.

"Idk, My Bff Jill" is occasionally questionable, though. Several lines sung by vocalist Keith are atrociously out of key; his practical wailing during "Will I ever understand...?" and a few other lines is downright cringeworthy and nearly ruins the song. Luckily, he's mostly singing in the more reserved manner expressed during "Year of the Rabbit," so it can be somewhat forgiven. In fact, when he's vocalizing in the pleasant manner of his, it's much like Chris Conley circa In Reverie -- only not lifeless. It's not as musically impressive as "Year of the Rabbit" but it's otherwise solid.

Ignore those aforementioned moments and you have a fine 7" here. Empire! Empire! might be a band worth keeping an ear on in the coming times. - Punknews.org


"YOTR Review - AP.net"

Mineral was great. Mineral was good. Mineral was undoubtedly influential. The former is clear after listening through Power of Failing, though they were somehow only good after listening through EndSerenading. The latter is clear after listening through Empire! Empire! (I Was A Lonely Estate)'s Year of the Rabbit 7". These Michigan darlings debuted in the now (and once-again) burgeoning Midwestern underground scene with the five song When The Sea Became A Giant -- and what an impressive debut it was. Despite sometimes spotty vocals, the album was a delight that hinted at better things to come. If the EP's closer "K.O. K.O." wasn't proof enough for you, then you're one immalleable motherfucker. While neither of the two songs on …the Rabbit are as heartbreakingly beautiful as the aforementioned, the single does relay a sense of growth and melodic maturity to the already initiated Empire! listeners, while reiterating to the band’s new listeners that charming musical prowess is alive and well.

The wintry opening of title-track “Year of the Rabbit” is a nice testament to the chilly scene on the 7”s cover and an instant red flag that Empire! has become dramatically more imagery-driven with their instrumentation and noticeably more adept in giving a song enough drive and ending it where it should. A problem with When the Sea...,that I brought up here, was that songs often hinted at more elegantly-elongated affairs – but weren’t. “Year of the Rabbit” and “IDK, My BFF Jill” (funny song title, yeah I know) aren’t suggestive in the least, but more importantly they mark vocalist Keith Latinen’s nonabrasive return. There were a few spots in the band’s debut where Latinen got a little overconfident with his range. However, that’s a distant memory as he has clearly improved and is now an exciting facet to the band – and there’s no better evidence than the second and last song “IDK, My BFF Jill”. Latinen gets shouty over energetic snare snaps and rotary guitar dives before swooning into his boy-next-door warble.

For a 7”, I couldn’t think of a more perfect package. Empire! Empire! (I Was A Lonely Estate) is likely to reel in quite the audience once the masses become more aware of their truly beautifully poignant voice in independent rock. Year of the Rabbit is a must-have for anyone who supports the revival that’s underway in the Midwest: a revival that refuses to allow the overlooked magnificence of the region’s predecessors die. - Absolutepunk.net


"YOTR Review - Decoy"

Don’t you just love albums that make you feel all warm and fuzzy? From the cute furry animals drawn on the artwork to the songs themselves, everything about Empire! Empire! (I Was a Lonely Estate)’s latest release, Year of the Rabbit, screams “I’m warm and fuzzy, please come snuggle with me” and I must say, it’s difficult to resist. I mean, look at the album cover and try to tell me that you don’t instantly feel fuzzy. I dare you!

Album art aside, the two tracks on the record have a pretty high fuzz factor themselves. Starting off with the title track on the A-side, the record begins with twinkly guitars playing with each other before the drums come rolling through. Right off the bat you can get that good old fashioned post-emo vibe that we’ve come to enjoy from Empire! Empire!

Anyone who’s heard E!E!, though, will tell you that their most distinguishing characteristic is the often high-pitched (and I’m talking higher than Anthony Green high) vocals, which are always either hit or miss. Thankfully, on “Year of the Rabbit” it’s nearly all hit. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for the second track “Idk, My Bff Jill” which begins as a more upbeat jam with yelping vocals as opposed to the hush sound of “Year of the Rabbit.” However, soft duel vocals come in towards the end upping the fuzz factor and ending the song on a nice note.

So all in all, if you’re in the mood for twinkly guitars and endearing vocals, then pick up Year of the Rabbit and get ready for a nice snuggley wuggley.

--Armand Babian - Decoymusic.com


"WTSBAG Review - Scene Point Blank"

The key word that comes to mind when listening to When the Sea Became a Giant is light. Everything is light. The vocal delivery is a deep reminder of the roots of emo, where a different kind of melancholy built its empire (no pun intended, I lied, yes it was). The guitars let off an air of innocent intensity. The bass a resonating backdrop to a story never told. It's been heard before, but never so well.

Empire! Empire! (I was a Lonely Estate) is an interesting collection of what seems to be a close family making music together. And we all know close families together making music makes a good time. Empire! Empire!, however, seem to try to touch upon something deeper, something more root-ful (yes I made up that word). The basic mechanics of emo are all displayed here. For example, the first song “Our Love has Made Us Pariahs” demonstrates many conjunctive moments between light but full band explosions and guitar matrimony. The guitars delve into clean, but in their own way very lyrical, engrossing leads. All which create a vacuum strong enough for the bass to fulfill.

What is most gripping about this release is that the recording was done by one man, Keith Latinen, with a guest vocal on the last track “K. O. K. O.” In a way you can tell, it is made up to be something more of a personal self confession that a collective truth. The whole of When the Sea Became a Giant is consistent and familiar as you listen to it, which in a way makes it unique from other emo efforts that could be comparable.

This release was independently released, however, it has caught the attention of many online music boards, including this one, obviously. What sells them so well is simple. They are playing something that has been hushed in the history of music. They make emo the genre it's supposed to be. Many may argue they are hailing to a different genre, however, to the likes of this journalist, it is emo. But on a side note, it's unfortunate for their full band effort; it seems they are having a hard time keeping a consistent drummer and bassist. Nonetheless, the couple that makes up Empire! Empire! is planning a full-length, and at this rate, something beautiful may come of it.

PS: Another thing to consider when try getting your hands on this album is this. I cannot stand emo music. The vocals bug me the most I think. Yet, I have given this album a very good review. This is very, very rare. Just some food for thought.

- Chris S. - scenepointblank.com


Discography

When the Sea Became a Giant - EP - 2007
Year of the Rabbit - EP - 2008
Full Length - LP - Late 2008

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Bio

Conceived in 2006 as a solo project of Keith Latinen, Empire! Empire!'s first release, When the Sea Became a Giant, received critical acclaim from press and peers alike. It was the kind of record that created a rush of nostalgia for fans 90s’ indie / emo. Now, backed by a full band, their latest release Year Of The Rabbit continues down that same path forged by Latinen, but offers even more definition and purpose to the unmistakable sound.

Unabashedly fueled with passion and honesty, Empire! Empire! (I Was A Lonely Estate) is a band intent on touching the listener. Latinen describes the sound as "a throwback to really pretty, heart-on-your-sleeve, gut-wrenching stuff...that when you listen, you can tell the artist is pouring their heart out.”

This is what epitomizes the music of Empire! Empire!; it strives for an visceral connection between artist and listener. Year Of The Rabbit finds the band honing their skills and moving even closer to that goal. The instruments rise and fall as they carve out their own niche behind the charismatic Latinen. His vocals are moving and his words breathe sincerity. Harkening back to a simpler time - when emotion was real and never calculated -it’s impossible not to feel Empire! Empire! The band leaves no doubt they are growing into something amazing right before our eyes. We're just lucky have the opportunity to watch it all unfold.