The Early November
In Currents


4.5
superb

Review

by nash1311 USER (3 Reviews)
July 18th, 2012 | 200 replies


Release Date: 2012 | Tracklist

Review Summary: The Early November reunite to offer a work of art that stands strong even in our Digital Age.

Do any of you remember your college days? Sure, some of you may not have been to college yet, or maybe you just didn’t go at all. That’s perfectly ok. But for those of you who have and did, I’m sure you remember the maturity process. All of the responsibility, being on your own… it has the potential to grow you up quickly. There is always at least one person you remember who came into college extremely immature, and when they left they were a completely different person. They dismissed all of their childish antics, and began to see the world through the eyes of an adult. This is exactly how I view In Currents. The Early November wrote some very young and exciting pieces of music before and leading up to the release of their triple disc, The Mother, The Mechanic, and The Path, but after their apparent break-up, it is as if The Early November went to college and came out a mature, new beast.

In Currents, and I quote, “is about the idea of being pulled in a direction that you can’t control.” Every song brings something new to the table as it pulls you in each of its different directions. The extreme amount of passion and authenticity shines through each song as well. Ace Enders’ vocals really nail this point home. Between the harsh and gravelly notes sung in the chorus of “Frayed in Doubt” to the extremely catchy “Tell Me Why”, Enders really finds a way to come through on this album. Lyrically, “Digital Age” easily wins best track. It presents thoughts on how the society we live in is moving forward and it is hard to adapt and keep up, especially regarding technology and the ability to fabricate music. It also sheds light on dying authenticity. It’s delightfully powerful and equally as depressing.

The drumming is more than consistent, always offering something relatively fresh on each track. Between the slow builds found throughout the album (namely “A Stain On The Carpet”) to the quick change of pace found in “Guilt & Swell”, Jeff Kummer never disappoints. The guitar work is very simple but extremely strong. Joseph Marro and Bill Lugg deliver exactly what needs to be heard on such a solid alternative rock album. The guitar riff on the verses of “Close To You” is very reminiscent of Jimmy Eat World. The album then reaches the climax of its journey with the emotional and heartfelt “Call Off The Bells”, featuring vocals from Enders’ wife.

As a whole, I feel this is not only the best TEN record to date, but also the best alternative record I have heard in quite some time. The amount of progression from their triple disc to this album is astounding. The consistency found here is such a blessing considering the high amount of filler/skippable tracks from the triple disc as well. I feel as if, as far as their discography is concerned, this album sounds like a matured version of The Room’s Too Cold. The Early November have found a way to revitalize their dormant fan base, and I highly recommend anyone who claims to be a fan of this sometimes-stagnant genre to give this a listen.

Recommended Tracks: A Stain On The Carpet, Digital Age, Tell Me Why, Call Off The Bells


user ratings (193)
3.9
excellent


Comments:Add a Comment 
nash1311
July 18th 2012


8576 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

This is my first review so take it easy, but constructive criticism is welcome. I'm a fanboy so may be more around a 4, but I have TRTC at a 4 so this had to be higher.



inb4 your mom goes to college and Kummer? what an awful last name

nash1311
July 18th 2012


8576 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

Thanks man. My favorite is frayed in doubt haha. But I listed recs based on what I've heard are the most appealing. And I think every track is incredible so it was hard to narrow down.

Yotimi
July 18th 2012


7668 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0

Was disappointed by this tbh

Macros
July 18th 2012


185 Comments

Album Rating: 4.0

Amazing album. I'd never heard of them before but this blew me away. Are their other albums worth listening to?

nash1311
July 18th 2012


8576 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

Yes definitely. The rooms too cold is up there with this one but a couple of songs are weaker. Mother mechanic has some

really solid tracks but I found there was a lot of skippable material over 3 discs. Not bad but not their best work. Definitely give

RTC a spin though

nash1311
July 18th 2012


8576 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

Yotimi, what didn't do it for you?

SteveRogers
July 18th 2012


190 Comments


One of the best so far this year in my opinion.

iambandersnatch
July 18th 2012


1935 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5 | Sound Off

Bout time this got reviewed. Great album.

nash1311
July 18th 2012


8576 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

@Steve



Agreed. Definitely in my aoty running



@bandersnatch



Haha exactly. that's mainly why I did it cause no one else did and it needed a review

cvlts
July 18th 2012


9943 Comments

Album Rating: 3.0 | Sound Off

wasnt really disappointed but definitely underwhelmed. there's a couple bangers in this though. "Digital Age" and "A Stain On The Carpet" are great.



good first review though man. pos

nash1311
July 18th 2012


8576 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

Thanks Genocide. Much appreciated pos from you. Yeah i've heard a small group of people say they thought it was a solid 3 and didn't do anything for them. This record really clicked for me though on a personal level. I listened to it like 3 or 4 times through on its stream and couldn't stop

SteveRogers
July 19th 2012


190 Comments


It's been running in my car non-stop since it dropped.

loveisamixtape
July 20th 2012


12407 Comments


really liking this so far

nash1311
July 21st 2012


8576 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

Yeah I wish more people would give it a go

DreamAgain
July 22nd 2012


2482 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0 | Sound Off

I agree, one of the best alternative albums since A rush of blood to the head.

loveisamixtape
July 27th 2012


12407 Comments


Tell Me Why is my favorite because it's the catchiest

nash1311
July 28th 2012


8576 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

^ Yeah it rules

minty901
July 28th 2012


3976 Comments


love 2 out of the 3 rec'd albums, so i should probably check this out

minty901
July 28th 2012


3976 Comments


wait, this isn't the bad that sounds identical to dashboard confessional is it? what was that band called?

nash1311
July 28th 2012


8576 Comments

Album Rating: 5.0

I think you'll enjoy it



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