Empire! Empire! (I Was A Lonely Estate) and Joie De Vivre, two of the most prominent bands in modern emo, have come together to release a split 7” that exemplifies the bond forged in this tight-knit, midwestern community. 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: vocal- ist/guitarist Keith Latinen’s heartbreaking storytelling about homecoming sung over the somber, minimal guitars could be the soundtrack to anybody’s break- down. Joie De Vivre’s b-side contributions are more upbeat, but still sting with sadness. Twinkling verses break into huge, catchy choruses laden with horns and the promise of better times ahead: “I don’t love living someplace that everybody hates, but it’s spring... and we can make it home”.