Mother the Mechanic & The Path

Early November | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 11, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 3
• Label: Drive Thru
• ASIN: B000FVBLFW
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #55,901 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This overly ambitious three-CD set begins strongly enough with "The Mechanic," an intense, rock-driven song cycle that affirms this quintet's status as a bright and shining hope for American pop music. There are hits ("The Rest Of My Life," "Decoration"), a moody, country-inflected experiment ("No Good At Saying Sorry (One More Chance)") and a pause for some fist-thumping arena rock ("The One That You Hated"). It's only in the disc's final moments, on the track "Figure It Out," that the excitement begins to flicker but even then the New Jersey-based band manages to stand stronger than most. Left on its own, "The Mechanic" could easily be one of the best emo records to emerge this year.

Instead, the band continue with a second act, "The Mother," which shows a great deal of promise at the start. Tracks such as the whimsical, Beatles-influenced "Hair," the Ben Folds nod "Driving South," and even the out-and-out emo anthem "A Little More Time" highlight the group's greatest asset: the ability to craft a swelling chorus that's rife with rich harmonies and jangly, energetic guitar hooks. But as quick as this act begins, it begins to fall apart as the songs growing increasingly weak, starting with "From Here to L.A." and concluding with "1000 Times a Day," an especially unconvincing tune that comes to an embarrassingly amateurish end, riddled with weak rhyme and burdened by tween sentimentality. Others, such as the ballad-y "Is It My Fault" and "I Don't Know How To Say This," an obvious Smashing Pumpkins homage, show potential but feel hastily assembled and strained, the group nearing creative bankruptcy in those final moments.

The finishing touch and the worst part of the whole collection, though, is the wholly unnecessary third act, a "soundtrack" to a cliché-filled sonic film about an unwanted child, his bruised psyche, angst-filled parents, and some other stuff that proves as interesting and original as the average slice of unbuttered toast. A note on the CD's sleeve implores us to listen to "The Path" with headphones, but the fact is that it's best to let the band limp away with its dignity intact and not listen at all. The Mother, The Mechanic, and The Path is a tragically flawed album that could have stood as a true classic had its creators known when to leave well enough alone. --Jedd Beaudoin

Product Description

The Mother, The Mechanic And The Path is a three-disc endeavor of the members of The Early November, featuring all new mate...see site for more info.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the highly anticipated TEN triple album finally arrives..., July 15, 2006

By 

adamKS (Illinois) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mother the Mechanic & The Path (Audio CD)

this album was initially due out last year, then it was pushed to february 06, then to march 06, and now finally it is released. Was it worth the wait? YES IT WAS! the album is fantastic and nearly perfect in every way. the greatest overall accomplishments on the album is the diversity, (three different discs with different styles of music ranging from country, folk, rock, acoustic) the improved musicianship of the band, new experimentation, and the ability to write memorable songs with more mature lyrics and delivering these with 100% style, talent, and intregrity. the best way to review this triple album would to be to review each separately:

THE MECHANIC: this is the album that TEN said they would of released by itself if it hadn't been for the triple disc idea. the album is flawless in every way and the songs are typical catchy early november songs but with more to them. alot of people say this is a continuation from "room's too cold", but i disagree to a certain extent. the only song that sounds like a true "rooms" b-side would be "decoration". other than that, the other 10 songs are a fresh new sound for the band and they're all unique and standout in their own way. actually, when i heard this disc i couldn't help but think i was listening to copeland, mae, and even a little jimmy eat world at times. standouts include "decoration", "no good at saying sorry", "long talks", the rest of my life". overall, this album is a perfect 10/10.

THE MOTHER: this is the album where they do alot of experimentation and i love it! it's not as good as "the mechanic" but still a very fun and different side of TEN to listen to. listening to this album i can't help but hear the influences of 90's pop and rock, along with the beatles, dashboard, and of course "i can make a mess like nobody's business" (ace's solo project). this disc also features their insanely catchy beatles-influenced single "hair" which is obviously the standout on this disc. the most unique song on here is the first track "my lack of skill" which sounds like something from the 1950's. overall, the disc has some songs toward the end that aren't as good as the others but i like the experimentation so i give it 7.5/10.

THE PATH: this third disc tells a story about a little boy who was neglected when he was a kid and it tells his whole life growing up and all the hardships he faced and how he ends up becoming what he hated the most; his father. it's a good story (although kind of cheesy and trite at points) and it's told in therapy sessions with songs in between them. the songs i guess are alright but i don't really see myself listening to them individually but they tie in with the story real well. although, i can't seem to figure out why some of these songs are as cheesy as they are. for instance, the lame rock version of "if your happy and you know it clap your hands" song along with some others which sound like circus music. this disc should definitely be accompanied with some headphones cuz i think that's the only way you can enjoy the story so you can hear all the little noises, sounds, and communication which you might miss if listened to on a stereo or car. the story's a very good, yet sad one which reminds me of the movie "big fish". if you've seen that movie then you'll know what i'm talking about when you hear the story. overall, a great heartfelt disc 8/10.

i know i've written a novel here but i believe it fully describes not just info about the release, but why you should BUY THIS ALBUM! not only do you get ONE flawless disc (the mechanic) but you also get TWO more discs that are great discs as well. most of the prices i've seen are between $13-$16 and that's a fair price for just the one. but no, you get two more discs on top of that! what a deal! please support this great humble band from new jersey and purchase this masterpiece for it is definitely the best release this year (and perhaps the last couple of years).

Highly recommended to anyone with any music preference. ace hits all genres(excluding hip hop) on this one!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Can't Imagine The Early November Ever Topping This, July 13, 2006

By 

Ken Lim - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mother the Mechanic & The Path (Audio CD)

"The Mechanic" is the first of a rare three-disc concept album offering from The Early November. The music on here is good enough for the CD to stand alone as a great rock release, so combine that with two other CDs and you got an outstanding deal.

"Money In His Hand" kicks the journey off featuring an infectious chorus (as do several of the other songs on this disc). "No Good At Saying Sorry (One More Chance)" is probably the second single and the band's best shot at landing a radio hit. The verses are moody and introspective and the rock-ballad chorus provides the most memorable sequence you'll hear on this album. "This Wasn't Our Plan" rocks a bit harder than the rest with an excellent guitar riff and a sound that's similar to that of Jimmy Eat World.

An early favorite for me was "Long Talks," where Ace Enders' vocals expel a sincerity that make his songs that much more memorable. On this song, again, the band shows its ability to craft strong choruses as well as anyone in the genre. The chorus on "Outside" harkens back to Lit during their golden days, and "The Car In 20" steers The Early November close to today's MTV emo staples such as Hawthorne Heights (though TEN definitely stands out a level above most bands in the increasingly ambiguous emo genre).

"The Mother" is the second disc despite being mentioned first in the album's title. Generally, this disc is much more mellow than the first, displaying the band branching out a bit from the traditional rock sound. The happy "A Little More Time" takes cues from The Get Up Kids and The New Amsterdams. Influences from Ace's project I Can Make A Mess Like Nobody's Business are first heard on "Little Black Heart," where having a delicate voice that teeters on cracking is an art form ala indie/folk golden boy Conor Oberst.

"Hair" is the quirky first single that may have confused fans as to how the album would sound like. Despite the sound and opening bit, this song has just as much meaning as any other song on this record. "1000 Times A Day" ends this disc with a story of young love that some will adore and others will label juvenile.

The third disc is "The Path," a record that clearly tells the story of a man who had negligent parents only to grow up to make mistakes as they did. Instructions on the disc suggest to "Please listen with headphones," and I agree. This is the type of CD to listen to straight through the first time. The story told here makes the meaning of the songs on the first two discs clear in terms of their place on this concept album. This disc basically consists of tracks with dialogue backed with music and songs that take you along the journey. The best traditional song on here is the heartbreaking "Never Coming Back," dealing with the main character's loss of his grandmother.

"The Mechanic" is easily the best disc, but that doesn't mean I won't be able to listen to all three discs without pressing the skip button. Some may be quick to label "The Path" as a throwaway disc, but I find that that disc adds quite a lot of value to the concept album feel. There's nothing too original on these three discs, but it's executed so well that I regard it as the best album I've heard this year.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Very Ambitious Bargain Buy, September 27, 2006

By 

Paul Drager "garion333" (Colorado Springs, CO United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mother the Mechanic & The Path (Audio CD)

I can't complain about the relative bargain I got for these three discs, but this isn't as amazing as the band would like it to be. Well, as Ace Enders would like it to be. On these discs I think I've finally figured out the problem with the band. It's simple, really. It's the fact that Ace is the primary creative drive for the band, which leaves the rest of the members as a backing band to him. This may sound a bit harsh (and unoriginal on my part), but these three discs really show this.

Take the Mechanic disc. The songwriting here is pretty straightforward and there are a number of good songs (Decoration, Make A Decision), but it feels pretty unispired . . . the rhythm section that is. The bass and drums are there, certainly, but there is no complexity among them. Cymbals on the downbeats, snare on the accent. The bass simply follows the guitar. Over and over again.

The Mother, however, shows a bit more growth, which is exactly its point. Still, it seems like Ace is driving the inventiveness and the band is just trying to play catchup. I think the addition of another guitarist helps here, but it almost feels like too little too late. Still, good songs here (Hair, Driving South, Scared To Lose).

The Path is not a disaster and I can see where Ace wanted this to go, but the result is fairly sophomoric. They are presenting a rather cliche-ish idea (like father, like son), though I think the real impact may be lost on a lot of people. That's not to say that it's too smart, but it might be too mature of an idea for most of the Early November's audience. Of course, I my take may just be fairly sophomoric (I've only given it one GOOD listen). Anyway, if the Path had been developed a bit more or over an even longer period of time, the musical interludes wouldn't feel so chintzy as they do on the disc.

I'd give this album a full five stars for ambition and innovation, but the execution receives three stars from me. I don't believe the album should have been cut down to one disc and released. I don't believe that the discs should have been released seperately. We have enough material here to keep coming back, but I really wish the band would evolve and develop as Ace certainly seems to have done. That way there would be more to come back to. Ace may not be singing as passionately as he use to, but he's grown past high school and moved onto deeper and less manic issues and emotions.

If you are a fan of this genre of music, then this is a must buy album for its innovation. Three discs is certainly a lot to take on. If you aren't already a fan of the band or this type of music, then you might be better off starting off somewhere else. Still, this wouldn't be a waste of your time and money, just don't expect a masterpiece.