Another day, another glowing opportunity for me to do some science again. I have been left no choice. By sheer coincidence, both Blink-182 and Creeper have done something significant with songs called “Misery”. For Blink, it’s a new track that they released via Zane Lowe’s Beats 1 show on Wednesday. For Creeper, it’s the music video, debuted Wednesday night, for a track from the album they released last week, Eternity in Your Arms. And yes, it is also called “Misery”. So, of course, the only thing I can possibly do now is host a misery-off between the two bands, to determine who is truly the most miserable, and therefore most worthy of a song with this title. Whoever loses is revoked of the right to even try and call themselves emo. The stakes have never been higher.
The Contenders
1) Blink-182 – “Misery”
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This is a new track, taken from the upcoming expanded version of the band’s 2016 album California. This extra-long cut of the album is due to feature another 12 tracks. It is up to you whether or not you think that is miserable.
2) Creeper – “Misery”
As mentioned above, this track comes from Creeper’s debut album Eternity in Your Arms, and it has the early advantage of a music video, meaning that we are able to get a visual representation of all the “Misery” also.
The Vocals
The Blink vocals sound pretty sad. You might even call them miserable. And though they’re also kind of angry too, when Matt Skiba is yell-singing “I don’t need anyone” it reminds me of a Kid From the Wrong Side of the Tracks Who is Refusing Love Because He Thinks He Doesn’t Deserve It in a teen movie, and to be real that is quite emo isn’t it?
However, emo as Skiba may be, the Creeper vocals from frontman Will Gould are definitely more miserable. Also their version of “Misery” has the lyric “Misery never goes out of style” and that sounds like it came right out of a Fall Out Boy album insert. Contrasted with Blink’s “misery needs company,” that’s edging Creeper towards a victory. As FOB are the kings of dramatic misery, Creeper win this round for their obvious homage, additionally because Gould literally sounds like he is in physical pain.
Round 1: Blink 0 – 1 Creeper
The Instrumental
Creeper’s track is miserable because it’s downbeat, though it has a vocally stormy chorus reminiscent of one that My Chemical Romance might have crafted later in their career. Pretty miserable! Conversely, Blink’s “Misery” doesn’t feel that sad because it’s mostly just a new-era Foo Fighters-style rager, but for me that is miserable in a much more profound way so the point goes to Blink.
Round 2: Blink 1 – 1 Creeper
The Overall Vibe
The Blink song honestly just sounds like Alkaline Trio because of the involvement of Matt Skiba, which means that the “overall vibe” is deeply emo. But does it convey the true depths of the word “misery”? I’m not sure. Creeper, on the other hand, throw all their sadness at “Misery” and that sadness sticks, resulting in the sort of track that you would listen to when you’re taking a self-indulgent walk in the rain hoping that people will notice you’ve left the house and be worried because you’re a huge attention seeker (NOT speaking from experience). Add to that a moody, slightly creepy visual, and it’s kind of a no-brainer.
Round 3: Blink 1 – 2 Creeper
The Verdict
From very the opening strains, it’s clear that Creeper’s “Misery” is the most miserable “Misery.” Their commitment to the entire concept of misery is admirable. This was technically not a fair fight because, as we noted, Creeper gave us full visuals while Blink only had their lyric video ready. In any case, Blink-182, please hand over the crown. You have been out misery’d.
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(Image via YouTube)
