Val Emmich
Sunlight Searchparty
© 2006 Val Emmich (616892845423)
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A loose and fearlessly raw album recorded almost entirely live to tape, complete with mistakes, chatter, party noise, and slightly out-of-tune instruments.
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Here’s how it goes. A young artist from a suburban town puts out a few independent records and ventures out on a handful of modest tours. He builds up a decent following, accumulates a nice pile of press clippings, gets a few college radio spins and a bit of TV airtime for his low budget video. Then suddenly he’s “noticed” by the industry. He signs a deal with a major label which, despite its vast resources, can’t seem to accomplish any more than he had on his own. Sadly, it’s a story so common it’s no longer compelling. But the interesting part of the story is what happens to the artist after all this.
After two years on Epic Records and nothing to show for his efforts but a re-released version of his debut album SLOW DOWN KID, Val Emmich begged successfully for the privilege to walk away from a multiple album deal and returned to the exact place where he started - writing music by himself for himself. In the fall of 2005, he moved into a house in Woodstock, New York and started working on new material. Armed only with an acoustic guitar and plenty of red wine, Emmich spent the next two weeks shaking off the weight of all expectations other than his own, finding 20 new songs in the process.
At that point, it was time to call in the cavalry. Together with his band and friend/producer Jason Cupp (Finch, The Elected), they turned the house in Woodstock into a makeshift recording studio, and demoed over 30 songs in a month’s time. These recordings would serve as the map Emmich would follow into the future.
Invigorated and inspired, Emmich was now dead set on making a record – one that would incorporate all the innocence, honesty and fun he had rediscovered in the woods and at the same time challenge all the super-processed, thoroughly sterilized music he had come to despise. In July of 2006, Emmich, Cupp and the band entered Shorefire Studio in Long Branch, New Jersey with the goal of doing just that.
The result is SUNLIGHT SEARCHPARTY – a loose and fearlessly raw album recorded almost entirely live to tape, complete with mistakes, chatter, party noise, and slightly out-of-tune instruments. An album that embodies the fundamental reasons Emmich started playing music in the first place: because it was fun and it felt good. The title represents the struggle to find hope, inspiration and happiness that Emmich and his comrades have faced over the last few years.
SUNLIGHT SEARCHPARTY touches on a number of interrelated themes including rebirth ("Now Is No Time"), honor and vengeance ("If They Come Again"), infidelity ("Cover Up"), and personal responsibility ("New Year's Resolution"). An extensive list of guest musicians help add texture to the songs using a wide variety of instruments from french horn, piano and orchestral strings to trumpet, harmonica and banjo. The album is imbued with richness and complexity by virtue of the stark contrast between the songs themselves and the way they are presented; songs that are often dark and damaged are performed with the reckless energy and stubborn tenacity reserved only for those who truly believe in what they are doing.
In today's downloadable and disposable world, SUNLIGHT SEARCHPARTY stands apart as a three-dimensional work showcasing an artist who cares obsessively about every aspect of his craft. More than just a collection of tracks to be ripped and stored on a hard drive, SUNLIGHT SEARCHPARTY is an artifact - a complete document of this chapter in Val Emmich's life. In addition to the music, the package includes the one-hour documentary dvd IT'S ONLY YOUR LIFE (produced & directed by Matt Schuman) which reveals the complete arc of the making of the record from embryonic idea to fully-realized work of art. Also included is a 16-page booklet designed entirely by Emmich featuring candid studio photos and handwritten pages straight from his journals showing the songwriter working out the lyrics to his songs. In an age when albums often represent the filtered and homogenized visions of a veritable army of songwriters, producers, marketers, researchers and executives, SUNLIGHT SEARCHPARTY is delivered uncompromised straight from Val Emmich to you.
reviews
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AUTHENTIC
author: AbbyThis album is completely different from what I have listened too. It is GREAT. The sound is authentic and I LOVE IT!!! It is very honest and I could relate to a lot of the songs. Val Emmich truly shows what a talented artist he is with this piece of art. I love the rawness and it feels as if one is actually there in the studio with Val and his crew. It is a MUST HAVE!!! :)
This CD is AWESOME!!
author: PattiI am pretty new to Val Emmich's music. I saw him perform & was blown away!! I bought this CD hoping to get the incredible emotion he sings with live to come through & this CD really did it! This is a great CD of an awesome artist!! I love Val's written lyrics but the resulting song is even better on EVERY single song!! I listen daily!
Not your birthday party!
author: StanThis ain't your happy birthday party, that's for sure. Once again, Val Emmich cuts right to your heart and brings it to you pretty raw with enough layers of production to make it not so acoustic most of the time. Like all his work, this album tells a story about struggle related to relationships, an artist's struggle with overly greedy and inconsiderate record companies, superficiality, particularly with women who put on make up and pose as models for all of us to see, and a glimmer of hope in Now is No time and First Try. You get a DVD with the CD all for around $10-12 which is pretty nice. Your old new year's resolution should be to get this CD if you don't already own it!
My CD of the year! Germany loves you, Val!
author: JuliaThe CD sooo rocks (I didn't expect anything else since I already loved SLOW DOWN KID...of course)! I first watched the dvd - it's amazing! So good to see the guys in the studio and hear all those comments and stuff. So, the dvd is already worth buying "Sunlight Searchparty"!!! Talking about the music* (yay!): When I listened to the songs on Val's myspace my faves were COVER UP and THE ONLY ONE LONELY. They still are under my top 5 songs on the album. But since I listened to the record on my way to work and back home the whole last week I think I can tell that HIGH NOON is my song of the album!!! It's amazing!!!!!!!! ....Followed by NOW IS NO TIME (GREAT piano and drums!!!!!), amazing beat at AT THE RISK OF SOUNDING and a fantastic version of ABSOLUTELY STILL!! Oh and I also love that NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION version! COME TO EUROPE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! =) Julie*
absolutely amazing
author: ddddanaI was unsure about the sound of this cd, being raw and all, but once i got it - it sounds amazing. truly like nothing i've heard before - i love every track and strongly recommend it for any emotional rock fan ;)
I LOVE THIS RECORD!!!
author: Sammythis record is fantastic! i can't stop listening to it. i have to admit that i only kind of liked slow down kid but loved val's songs so much that i thought i would give this album a listen and WHOA! it's a whole new val emmich! everything about this CD seems real to me. i didn't know the story of how it was made until i watched the awesome DVD that came with it. knowing the behind the scenes stuff only made me love this record more. seriously, all the songs are great! i can't think of the last time i bought a record and actually liked every song! thanks val! i can't wait for the next one...
great emotion
author: cyngreat emotion is put into the tracks with some hummor in between. songs are easy to relate to if you run on the tight stressful lonly daily life. it speaks the truth about most topics no one even thinks about
Wonderful.....a masterpiece.
author: JeffA refreshing sound,each track on the c.d.shines with wonderful melodies,great lyrics and an amazing live feel.Val takes us on a musical journey with some real emotional and powerful songs,all 14 tracks shining like diamonds. As an added bonus the DVD gives us an insight into the making of this remarkable album.Get it now......and one for a friend.
best val yet
author: jaimemistakes, raw, out of tune, whatever. between 15 minute & both releases of slow down kid, this album is my favorite. it is absolutely beautiul, beginning to end.
Incredible
author: MikeI have to say, since the first time I stumbled upon Val Emmich I have been hooked. The new cd is no different. I love every song on the album and can't stop listening to it. I am pumped that I get to see him play tonight!
Beautiful, Authentic, Trend-Free
author: SARAPThis album beams pure, natural talent. Each song is inspiring both musically and emotionally. Val and his music embodies individuality.
Excellent CD
author: MikeThis cd is amazing. Theres no reason for someone with such talent to get dropped from a major label. this is some of the best music out there. Radio is garbage.
New sound but all the same emotion
author: JamieAt first you are struck by Val's heart felt vocals on the first listen. Then, the second time around the musical hooks get into you. The Third listen let's the band shine through. And then the fourth time, you are amazed by how tight everything sounds even though it was recorded live. And then the fifth time...I think you get the idea. This album lives and grows everytime I listen to it. A little different sound from Slow Down Kid, but even more amazing.
If they only played this kind of quality on the radio...
author: DamarisFrom beginning to end, the raw energy and emotion in this CD keeps you wanting more. Highlights are High Noon, Decadent Decline, Cover Up...all of them, really. It's really impressive how every song is distinctly different, with a variety of instruments (a banjo?) used on various songs and yet they all work so well. Love the clever, funny lyrics that resonate so well... "All we need is vacation time and a shiny white set of teeth." As part of corporate america, I can relate... I have had this CD in my player for two weeks and I still don't have much interest in listening to anything else. And I have satellite radio. This is pure, classic rock, folk, indie, whatever, at its best.
Amazing
author: AlyssaThis CD is great! Val's stuff is original, and just... amazing.
AMAZING
author: Jersey KellieThe CD is amazing. Val's lyrics are real and emotional. The music has raw, real feel like you have always wanted to hear. It will touch your heart and grab your emotions. It Rocks. I cant stop listening.
Best cd of the year!
author: NikkiThe cd was cracked in the package when I received it. Boooo! :P But Val is amazing. This cd is the best thing my cd player has played for a long, long time. Val is raw and real and every word spews emotion. This cd is getting away from all the recording company bullshit and back to basics and is everything Val stands for and more artists should be. The album is great. Everyone should have it!
Greatness at its best!
author: LeighVal never disappoints. It is a rare find those few complete CDs that you never get tired of listening to and Val makes yet another. Much love for his work. Raw and real. Complete.
Authentic, Layered and Confessional
author: CHINASKIIt is hard to classify Emmich. Songs on this classic rock album are both fast and slow and tend to favor guitar driven tracks. Yet his breathy, emotive voice adds rich layers to the music, which you'll want to listen to again and again, if only for his confessional lyrics. "Sunlight Searchparty," has an undeniable weight, a bearing, that makes the album a compelling and mature statement of being. With an expansive palette of sound — Emmich has matured both as a singer and a songwriter, with a nuanced approach to the arrangements and melodies. The lyrics are incredibly funny and touchingly honest. Listening to this album is a discovery.
Unique album with incredible feel and maximum replay value.
author: Joe MA truely unique album. The sound and feel is unlike anything you'll be used to hearing. The melodies will haunt you and keep you coming back for more. There are some great moments of studio chatter, interesting soft melodic interludes, and every song is an example of Val's incredible singing and songwriting talents. As a bonus you also get an hour long DVD that chronicles the birth and recording of Sunlight Searchparty. You won't regret this purchase!
a real treat, expansive palette of sound, undeniable weight, compelling & mature
author: Chris Jordan, Home News TribuneIt's a real treat, with an expansive palette of sound — from skiffle to emo to rawk. Emmich has matured both as a singer and a songwriter, with less screaming, more singing and a nuanced approach to the arrangements and melodies. But beyond what's on the surface of "Sunlight Searchparty," there's an undeniable weight, a bearing, that makes the album a compelling and mature statement of being. A statement that will resound with the listener.
touchingly honest, breathy emotive voice, very focused & rewarding result
author: Diana Schwaeble, Hudson CurrentThe lyrics are incredibly funny and touchingly honest. It is hard to classify Emmich. Songs on this classic rock album are both fast and slow and tend to favor guitar driven tracks…his breathy, emotive voice adds rich layers to the music, which you'll want to listen to again and again, if only for his confessional lyrics. Although his desire was to create an "imperfect album," listening to the album it is hard to find fault with the very focused and rewarding result. Listening to this album is a discovery.
spontaneous, heartfelt, thorny issues, we need more Val Emmichs in the world
author: Jim Testa, Jersey BeatEmmich lays it all on the line here with music that sounds spontaneous, feels heartfelt, and speaks to the adult in all of us, tackling thorny issues of relationships, self-doubt, and societal malaise with a keen eye for detail and an ear for captivating hooks….I’m happy that one of New Jersey’s most talented young artists has opted for personal fulfillment over jockeying to be the next American Idol. We need more Val Emmichs in this world.
intensely personal lyrics, vocal style strikes raw nerves
author: Jay Lustig, Star LedgerEmmich writes intensely personal lyrics….He separates himself from the emo pack with a vocal style that strikes plenty of raw nerves but never descends to whimsiness, and music that favors classic rock stateliness over punkish simplicity….a sense of renewal permeates Sunlight Searchparty.