The Mother, the Mechanic, and the Path

Early November

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 11, 2006)
• Original Release Date: July 11, 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.com Sales Rank: #134,631 in Music (See Bestsellers 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

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	A. Stoltz (illlinois) - See all my reviews

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)

"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.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The rarest of things: a triple studio album.... and TEN mostly pulls it off, January 5, 2007

By	Paul Allaer (Cincinnati) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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.