Empire! Empire! (I Was a Lonely Estate): Split

Empire! Empire!and Joie de Vivre, two of the most prominent bands in modern emo, have come together to release a split 7?. Each of the two bands present a different style of this vast genre. Empire! Empire!?s songs are so delicate that they sound as if they could break at any second: vocalist/guitarist Keith Latinen's heartbreaking storytelling about homecoming sung over the somber, minimal guitars could be the soundtrack to anybody's breakdown. Joie de Vivre's b-side contributions are more upbeat, but still sting with sadness.