The rarest of things: a triple studio album.... and TEN most
Paul Allaer | Cincinnati | 01/06/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I was somewhat familiar with The Early November. Sure, they are a good emo-band, and their 2003 debut album "The Room's Too Cold" was ok, but I was very surprised by this album, the band's second release (issued in July 2006).
"The Mechanic, The Mother and The Path" (3 CDs, 46 songs, 133 min.) is that rarest of things: a release of a triple studio album, wow, when was the last time that happened? CD1 "The Mechanic" (11 tracks, 41 min.) is the Early November is their familiar setting, bringing straight-forward rock-emo songs, and there are many highlights, including "The Rest of My Life" and "Money In His Hand". CD2 "The Mother" (11 tracks, 41 min.) brings a more stripped-down version of their sound, albeit the songs still jump out at you here and there. Things definitely take a left turn on CD3 "The Path" (24 songs, 51 min.), which brings a mix of mostly short accoustic songs intermixed with 9 spoken pieces (the story line being a son and his therapist or something like that). The last CD is a bridge too far.
While completely different in sound, this release reminds me of the Smashing Pumpkins "Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness" double-album it its creative reach. The "Mechanic" and "Mother" CDs resonate greatly, but the Early November's singer-songwriter Ace Enders over-reaches on the 3rd CD, which simply does not flow well and goes on too long. That said, props for the audacity to release a 3CD studio album. This release sure isn't for everyone, but I really enjoyed CDs 1 and 2."