“It was a long night drinking whiskey,
And I don’t drink so my head is turned around.”
When I heard that opening line to In Currents, I knew I wouldn’t be disappointed with this album. It should be known that I don’t drink and if I can relate to a song by the lyrics, then it will mean so much more to me. As I said before, music is a huge part of me and I tend to relate back to it for everything. Ace Enders, lead singer and guitarist of The Early November, tends to write lyrics that even I feel that I wrote. It is a weird and amazing feeling to hear that and think, “was he going through the same thing as me?”
It only makes sense why Ace Enders is my all time favorite musician and I knew this album is going to be my number one album of 2012.
The snippet of lyrics above is from the opening track called “A Stain On The Carpet”. The song takes the listener through what seems like someone going through the most heart wrenching experience with love. As the chorus states, it seems like the hurt party wants to never be forgotten.
“I spilled red wine on the carpet,
Letting it sink in deep for days,
So if you ever fall into dementia,
It won’t let you forget.”
It isn’t until the second time the chorus is sung that the entire band plays what seems like the best opening song I have heard in a long time.
The best way to describe The Early November live is by listening to the next song “Frayed In Doubt”. With a long distance “whoa” in the background and Ace’s emotionally strained vocals, shows that The Early November are back and aren’t going to slow down.
I should mention that in order to understand this album, one should know a little background on The Early November. After touring extensively and releasing a triple disc, which I thought was genius; they decided to call it quits. There were a lot of factors involved with this, the label, bad reception to the triple disc, and the change in music buying. Everyone did other projects, but eventually after two reunion shows, The Early November felt it was time to continue again.
The forth track, “Digital Age”, shows Ace’s frustration with how music has become disposable to the average listener. I agree with him, and I have had a discussion with him on this when he performed at my house. Having free music is great, but also an evil. When it comes down to it, bands won’t make it without the fans supporting them. This means buying music and merchandise. I could write a whole paper on this issue, but I won’t discuss it here. Actually my senior thesis in college was on that subject, but this song is a good example of a musician being frustrated, tired, and about to give up on music.
Following “Digital Age” is “Tell Me Why”. This song grew on me within a couple of days. The intro is very quiet, but Ace’s vocals shine when it starts picking up the pace. Another reason I am a fan boy of Ace’s work is because his lyrics make me reminisce about past relationships. I have only had two relationships, jeez I have been single too long, and the last one in college is of the girl that got away. We all have that one person, and this song just asks the question over and over, tell me why?
“Guilt & Swell” seems to tell the story of a friend that either died from a drug or drinking overdose. This is something different lyric wise of The Early November, but all the emotion is still there to leave you breathless.
I will say we are spoiled on this album by having Ace play just acoustic guitar twice. Once on “Digital Age” and twice on “That’s Not Your Real Name”. Ace shows off how well his raspy vocals can go without putting a strain on them. This album definitely shows a different side of Ace’s voice. This song was also featured as an I Can Make A Mess Like Nobody’s Business song, Ace’s solo material. That song can be heard here: http://icanmakeamess.bandcamp.com/album/share-with-everyone It is almost exactly the same as on this album, but worth a purchase for the other songs.
I can’t forget about the rest of the band, the songs “In Currents” and “Close To You” shows off Jeff Kummer’s excellent drumming. A little bit more technical drumming than what he has played before and it doesn’t disappoint. Sergio’s bass playing is well heard on this album, but if you get a chance, see him live, trust me.
Joe Marro’s guitar and piano playing along with Bill Lugg’s guitar playing shine on “The Smell Of This Place”. This is a song to be played on a bright Sunday morning with the windows open and having a light breeze come through with the steam of tea seeping up to your nose. This song could’ve easily been on The Mother disc of the triple disc. It is simple and peaceful. Another song that swells me with memories of the one that got away. From her smell to her smile, songs like these will never let me forget. Wait till I talk about The Gaslight Anthem.
The closing song, “Call Of The Bells”, is my favorite song of the year. The band shows off their harmony duties to where it almost sounds like a Motown song, but then builds itself when the band just goes all out at the end. The song can be described as the most heartbreaking and emotionally charged song on the album. Again I can’t help but think about the girl from years ago. The best part of the song is the female vocals done by Ace’s wife Jenn. Her voice is almost ghostly and chilling, but again Ace’s vocals come through and steal the show.
“Once upon a time,
We were meant to be.”
Like I said above, I cannot help but hype this album as the best of 2012. It pulls at my heart strings in every way and I never doubted it.
This vinyl is done very well, being that I never bought from Rise Records before. The package is a gatefold and includes lyrics and a download card. I like that the record came in a black sleeve, change of scenery compared to the white kind all the time. The record itself is a nice turquoise with a little bit of white swirl. There since have been other colors available online and at retail stores such as red and white, but I am happy with the color of this first pressing.
Favorite Sights & Sounds 