The Longue Durée

• Artist: Holy Roman Empire
• Rating:
• Release Date: June 05, 2007
• Type: Lyrics are included with the album
• Genre: Rock

Review

Holy Roman Empire frontwoman Emily Schambra would undoubtedly be horrified by this comparison, but still, it must be said: she is the Kelly Clarkson of post-hardcore. By this, it is meant that Schambra brings a surprising amount of not only technical ability but also emotional depth to a style of music that's not exactly rife with either of those things. Without her, Holy Roman Empire would be a much different -- and far worse -- band. On their second album, producer Matt Allison (a longtime veteran of the Chicago scene) emphasizes Holy Roman Empire's guitar sounds, keeping the rhythm section well in the background and using Neeraj Kane and Jay Jancetic's mostly distortion-free riffs to frame Schambra's up-front vocals. The results are remarkably clean without being sterile, and the nearly slick sound plays up the subtle pop hooks of tunes like the soaring "Olympus." The Longue Durée, pretentious album title aside, is tuneful without being blatantly commercial, thoughtful without being ickily emo, and a generally rocking good listen. There's really no reason why these guys couldn't be huge, like on an all-over-MTV2 level. ~ Stewart Mason, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Undeserving You	Jay Jancetic, Neeraj Kane, Geoff Reu, Emily Schambra	Jay Jancetic, Holy Roman Empire, Neeraj Kane, Geoff Reu, Emily Schambra	(3:02)
The Ace	Jay Jancetic, Neeraj Kane, Geoff Reu, Emily Schambra	Jay Jancetic, Holy Roman Empire, Neeraj Kane, Geoff Reu, Emily Schambra	(3:39)
An Alliance of Thieves	Jay Jancetic, Neeraj Kane, Geoff Reu, Emily Schambra	Jay Jancetic, Holy Roman Empire, Neeraj Kane, Geoff Reu, Emily Schambra	(3:15)
Hail Mary	Jay Jancetic, Neeraj Kane, Geoff Reu, Emily Schambra	Jay Jancetic, Holy Roman Empire, Neeraj Kane, Geoff Reu, Emily Schambra	(3:06)
Our Whole Lives, Waiting	Jay Jancetic, Neeraj Kane, Geoff Reu, Emily Schambra	Jay Jancetic, Holy Roman Empire, Neeraj Kane, Geoff Reu, Emily Schambra	(2:22)
Shatter Historic	Jay Jancetic, Neeraj Kane, Geoff Reu, Emily Schambra	Jay Jancetic, Holy Roman Empire, Neeraj Kane, Geoff Reu, Emily Schambra	(3:29)
Olympus	Jay Jancetic, Neeraj Kane, Geoff Reu, Emily Schambra	Jay Jancetic, Holy Roman Empire, Neeraj Kane, Geoff Reu, Emily Schambra	(4:14)
Mute Hearts	Jay Jancetic, Neeraj Kane, Geoff Reu, Emily Schambra	Jay Jancetic, Holy Roman Empire, Neeraj Kane, Geoff Reu, Emily Schambra	(3:46)
Action Figures	Jay Jancetic, Neeraj Kane, Geoff Reu, Emily Schambra	Jay Jancetic, Holy Roman Empire, Neeraj Kane, Geoff Reu, Emily Schambra	(3:59)
Take It Outside	Jay Jancetic, Neeraj Kane, Geoff Reu, Emily Schambra	Jay Jancetic, Holy Roman Empire, Neeraj Kane, Geoff Reu, Emily Schambra	(2:42)
Fire Drill	Jay Jancetic, Neeraj Kane, Geoff Reu, Emily Schambra	Jay Jancetic, Holy Roman Empire, Neeraj Kane, Geoff Reu, Emily Schambra	(3:21)
Vicarious Haunting	Jay Jancetic, Neeraj Kane, Geoff Reu, Emily Schambra	Jay Jancetic, Holy Roman Empire, Neeraj Kane, Geoff Reu, Emily Schambra	(4:29)

Credits

Matt Allison (Engineer), Matt Allison (Mixing), Paul Miner (Mastering), Andy Gallas (Post Production Editor), Jay Jancetic (Guitar), Brian Mackin (Art Direction), Brian Mackin (Design), Tim McIlrath (Vocals), Neil Hennessy (Vocals), Neil Hennessy (Producer), Neil Hennessy (Engineer), Neil Hennessy (Post Production Editor), Neeraj Kane (Guitar), Geoff Reu (Bass), Emily Schambra (Vocals)