The Early November - In Currents
Record Label; Rise
Release Date: July 10, 2012
Six years after the release of The Mother, the Mechanic, and the Path, the Early November has decided to try again. They've returned to play more pop-punk-indie-rock-emo-whatever music and their third album, In Currents, is great.
Unfortunately, it opens with "A Stain on the Carpet" - probably the weakest song on the disc. It is a mid-tempo song that begin's with Ace Enders whispering, "It was a long night, drinking whiskey. I don't drink, so my head is turned around." (It does, however, end with a xylophone solo. That's pretty cool...) The following track "Frayed in Doubt" would have been a better opening track, as it is better in nearly every way, and definitely portrays the feeling the band is trying to capture.
"Tell Me Why" has the catchiest chorus on the album, perhaps in TEN's entire discography: "Tell me why you left, tell me where you went. Tell me why! Am I worth the lines?" (that could've been written by a fan regarding their hiatus). The closing song is "Call Off the Bells" and it features vocals from Enders' wife. Its lyrics also sound like a reference to the band's breakup, as it ends the album with the lines "Once upon a time, we were meant to be".
Enders' vocals on this album are fantastic, going from quiet and soothing to rough and abrasive quickly on songs like "That's Not Your Real Name" and "Frayed in Doubt". His lyrics as well have matured, and in the acoustic "Digital Age" he sings, "Hoping I'd write a song that a computer can't fake...that's the hypocrite in me. Can the crayons and the colorful paint, they'll never set foot in the digital age".The band behind him has also gotten better. Songs like "Guilt & Swell" are driven by the guitars.
In Currents sounds like an evolved version of Room's Too Cold. If that album had been released now, in 2012, it would be In Currents.
I completely agree with this, the album is definitely different after their hiatus. It reminds me more of Ace Ender's solo project, but it's still amazing and keeps the same old-school emo feel while adding a pop-punk feel to it.
Great review! From someone in college or late high school, I'd expect more, but this writing level seems to fit your age suitably.
I still need to check out this album, but you definitely sent a good impression my way. You should expand on your RIYL section.
Hey thanks.
I know I didn't put much into the RIYL section, but I can't really think of anything...it sounds like and Early November album. (I alway thought they sounded kinda like The Starting Line's acoustic EP but not always acoustic...if that makes sense.)
Wait... A Stain On The Carpet is the weakest track!?!? I cannot disagree more... I don't know what I would pinpoint as the weakest track, but I think A Stain On The Carpet is the best one on the entire record...
Wait... A Stain On The Carpet is the weakest track!?!? I cannot disagree more... I don't know what I would pinpoint as the weakest track, but I think A Stain On The Carpet is the best one on the entire record...
wow. well, different opinions. in all honesty now, i've listened to it more, it's not bad. i just can't get over "i don't drink, so mty head is turned around"- what?
i'd say "smell of this place" is probably the weakest now....
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