Optometrists beware. “Wood/Water,” the latest release from The Promise Ring, is sure to send the emo community scrambling for the thickest prescription glasses in stock.

The album features 12 emotive tracks with a subdued blend of rhythmic instrumentals and sleepy vocals reciting bad poetry. The band includes Davey VonBohlen on vocals and guitar, Jason Gnewikow on guitar, Dan Didier on drums and Ryan Weber on bass.

The first song, “Size of Your Life,” features distorted vocals and is as hard-driving as my grandma’s lawn mower. Unfortunately, that’s the most rock ‘n’ roll that appears on the disk.

“Stop Playing Guitar” immediately will remind listeners of the classic Murmurs song, “You Suck.” The Promise Ring does deserve credit for poking fun at an emo cliche when saying, “It’s a hundred degrees and you’ve got a sweater on.”

If you’re not paying attention, the rest of the album easily can be confused as one long, boring song rather than a compilation of many long, boring songs.

“Say Goodnight Good” is possibly the saving grace of “Wood/Water.” Featuring a continuous, choral chant of “hey, hey, hey,” the song is reminiscent of the ’80s musical collaboration “We Are the World.”

The best feature of “Wood/Water” is how readily it lulls the listener to sleep. It’s a wonderful album for insomniacs, but should be avoided while driving down I-88 after the sun has set over the sea of corn.

There are some interesting uses of electronics that compliment the naturalistic feel of the aptly named album, and the recording has a very organic sound.

The natural themes in sound and art are lost in the songs, which focus on boredom and heartbreak.

Overall, The Promise Ring has assembled a fine emo album that fans of the genre more than likely will enjoy, but anyone looking for the emo-core sound of their previous albums will be sorely disappointed.

It just seems like The Promise Ring was trying for a very soulful and moving album, but ended up with just another catalyst for tear-stained sweaters.