Actor (Ugly Betty) and musician Val Emmich released "Little Daggers" in 2008. True to the title, the songs are generally sharp and to the point. I was very excited upon hearing the first two tracks, but then the release starts a rapid decline into an abyss of mediocrity.
The strengths of the record rest in very good production, with decent lyrics and vocals delivered by Val Emmich. The major weakness is that the majority of these tunes just aren't all that interesting. The ones that do standout are stacked right up front. "The Lucky Ones" is probably the best track - it rocks a bit and has a chorus that at least makes an effort to be melodic and memorable. The driving "Get On With It" is also pretty good, and it is growing on me more and more with each listen. "Get On With It" includes a bouncy 80s vibe that suckers me in every time. "Got A Habit Now" is a respectable account of alcohol addiction, and the well-executed, delicate harmonies help to push this one up a notch. After a long stretch of tracks that are generally slow and blase, a pleasant surprise called "Down" turns up; it is refreshing to hear the rapid strumming on the acoustic guitar, which provides a sense of urgency and emotion in this one. Moreover, the vocal effects and choir give the tune the spiritual feeling that the lyrics convey.
Overall, "Little Daggers" is a double-edged sword. Marketed as "emo pop" (Entertainment Weekly), I am not feeling either one to any great degree. It is too innocuous to be emo and not catchy enough to be pop, but it does have a couple moments that will stick with you.
iPOD-worthy: 1, 2, 3, 9
Val Emmich on MySpace. Official site.
Check out the video for "Get On With It":
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