Epic concept albums belong in the 1970s. Rock bands like Pink Floyd, The Who, Yes and The Moody Blues were good at them. They were a '70s rock band’s way of saying “look at us, aren’t we visionary.” Some of them were truly visionary. Pink Floyd’s The Wall is an amazing album that has inspired millions.
However rock has moved on and concept albums just don’t work in our post Spinal Tap world. They usually seem like a bit of a joke – the kind of thing you would expect The Darkness to do. Even for a band as talented as The Early November a concept album is hard to accomplish without seeming pretentious, vainglorious or false.
The Mother, The Mechanic And The Path is a three-disk release from the Emo/Indie band The Early November. It is the story of a boy who grew up with an overbearing father who dumped him with his grandparents to be raised. Years later when the boy learns the truth he is forced to live with his “Father,” whom he used to believe was his uncle, and eventually runs off only to make the same mistakes his dad did – those mistake we all promise ourselves we won’t make when we’re parents.
The Mother, The Mechanic And The Path is the semi-autobiographical life story of The Early November frontman – with the impossibly rock-star name of - Ace Enders. Each CD shares a part in the telling, each themed by and contributing to an overarching story. The CDs are supposed to sound drastically different. The first two, however, sound very similar, with only a couple of lighter songs on The Mother.
The Mechanic is a straightforward bluesy indie rock CD andThe Mother is a more roots rock CD. And although The Mother is the lighter of the two CDs, it isn’t drastically different.
The first CD, The Mechanic is meant to be more on the rock side. And the first track on disk “Money In His Hand” is an excellent example of this. With nicely distorted chords and raging guitar this is an excellent indie/blues/rock song and sets up the rest of the CD. The third track (and second single – the first single is on the second CD), “No Good At Saying Sorry (One More Chance)” is a conventional indie rock ballad that begins with a soporific, bluesy slide guitar and eventually breaks into a proper power ballad.
Article comments
1 - scott walker
As a long time fan of this band the path sent me up the wall, when I first listened to it I had no idea what to think. There's a sort of message or image I know is trying to come across to the listener but upon the first listen through I personnally did not grasp it. It felt like some kind of joke to listen to, and it broke my heart to hear the band in that manner. I still have ultimate respect for these guys they have come a very long way from their previous works which will always remain classics to me. I appreciate their effort to incorporate new styles and sounds in their music and I think they accomplished this very well on the mother. The mechanic was well rounded and full of uplifting tunes that kept me rolling, the track listing is set up to have a nice flow and I can listen all the way through. If only for those two albums the triple-disc combo is worth it's price by a mile. My only suggestion is that we as listeners, listen to the path more carefully. From such inspiring music writers I know there is deep thought and time put into the path. Perhaps Mr.Harper and assuredly myself have missed the point?
-scott walker
2 - A.L. Harper
I'm a Ms actually. I don't think we missed the point. There wasn't one. The Path sucked. But the other two CD's are more than worth the price of the album.
3 - Miles Hammer
I like what MS Harper had to say about the album. There is a lot of truth to what she'd said. Although, concept albums don't seem too farfetched for such bands these days. One prime example showing they are not far from what rock can be is Coheed & Cambria with three epic CDs out. I don't think they intentionally meant any of their cds as concept albums because the songs do not interrelate exactly, but the way they are titled and tracklisted, it gives them the right to say they write epic albums.
In any case, I think it's a bold move of the Early November to take a step into the abyss where most musicians don't tend to think of outside of the twelve-to-thirteen song albums. They may have not gotten the formula right for a good concept album, but I believe they're on the right track.
I do agree that the Path isn't as good as the first two cds.
4 - A.L. Harper
Thank you Miles. I really did like the Mother and The Mechanic they are both very good indie rock albums. Well worth the money.
5 - Sachan
i'm sorry, after reading this review i almost puked in my throat. the early november's new album is different than most ones out there, and righteously so. not many bands that experiment with concept albums actually succeed (ie. NIN on their disappointing THE FRAGILE release, and green day's pathetic excuse for a record, AMERICAN IDIOT). if you listen to the path, start to finish, you will realize how beautiful and articulate the music really is, from the melody, to the lyrics, to the overall storyline. if you have ever listened to I CAN MAKE A MESS (ace's side project), you will hear some of the similarities between that band and the third and final disc of TEN's new album. but then again, if you prefer the boring mainstream "pop" sound, stick to this review and it's conformist attitude. after all, everybody loves those "catchy 3 chorus, 1 bridge" power ballads.
but you can count me out of that bull,
sachan.
6 - A.L. Harper
Sachan -
"if you listen to the path, start to finish, you will realize how beautiful and articulate the music really is"
I listened to The Path three times through, as I do with every CD I review, and I know that it is well played and even interesting if you're into show tunes. I'm not. It was irritating, pretentious dross.
As I said in my review both The Mother and The Mechanic are good indie rock/pop albums and I definitely recommend them to anyone. But The Path is superfluous. It distracts from the other two CDs.
"if you prefer the boring mainstream "pop" sound, stick to this review and it's conformist attitude. after all, everybody loves those "catchy 3 chorus, 1 bridge" power ballads.
The Early November are mainstream indie pop. And the only 3 chorus, 1 bridge power ballads I can think of went out with Chicago. Or maybe I just listen to better music than you do, so I'm less aware of this terrible phenomenon slipping back into our popular culture.
7 - casey
im sorry you dont believe that the path is a good cd. I do, and i'd like to tell anyone who read this review that you may or may not like it. it's not as cut and dry as a normal music cd. it really is more of a painting. it gives you a chance to decide if you really like the artist. i think everyone's opinion on the path will be differnt and that it cannot be critiqued like other cd's can. she said it herself-the first two are worth the purchase, so what do you have to lose?
8 - Shawn
The first two CDs are amazing, and are worth more than what you pay for all three.
Miles The Coheed and Cambria albums are concept albums. You have to check out the comic books that they have out, because they explain the story. So check that out if you get a chance.
9 - Fenton Meiks
A fair review. Some very nice stuff on the first two discs. The third disc is full of pretentious, self-indulgent dirge. It clearly pains some fans to hear this, "look for the hidden meaning" or "just because it's non-conformist", but seriously, the stuff on the third disc is the stuff that should never leave the rehearsal room.
10 - A.L. Harper
Thank you Fenton! I'm saying!
11 - jon
honestly, the path should have been just one long track released under i can make a mess like nobody's business. but that most certainly doesnt mean that "it sucked". what ace did with the path is ground breaking and shows an immense amount of talent. no other band that i know of in this genre could have created something so unique, except for maybe brand new. but i dont see why he threw this on a triple disc with the early november. there are no drums, no piano, no bass, and no other guitars on the cd besides him. he even does all of the characters' voices himself! i mean correct me if im wrong, but from what it sounds like no other member of the band had any part in the making of the path what-so-ever. if i was apart of TEN i would not have let this happen. dont get me wrong, i love ace and all of his music and am truly inspired by him, but come on man, save the one-guitar, super-emo, concept-albums for your side project... i mean, isnt that the reason you started one in the first place?
12 - Joe John
The Path owned Ms. A.L. Harpers face and she knows it
13 - valerieflames
The Early November's Headlining Tour is still going strong! They are currently on tour with The Rocket Summer and Melee with special appearances by The Verdict and Nothing Ever Stays...
14 - Spamfriendly
"The Early November's Headlining Tour is still going strong! They are currently on tour with The Rocket Summer and Melee with special appearances by The Verdict and Nothing Ever Stays..."
I saw them when they came to Jacksonville on that tour. SIMPLY AMAZING.
The first 2 CDs when you first listen to them are quite different from earlier releases. Listening to I can make a mess kind of clues you in to the transition from Room's too cold to the current 3 CD release.
The Path was at first listen confusing and I personally was turned off by it. After a couple good listens I started to really understand and while sitting in traffic on the Henry Hudson Parkway I found myself truly paying attention.
The Path is one of those CDs you can easily just decide to discard without fully realizing its beauty. I think that to truly be an enthusiast of music you really have to open yourself up and discard your expectations and allow yourself to be carried away. The Path does that, there isn't a hidden meaning, its just simply a story with a classical theme.
15 - chefnash51
I didn't full understand the third album until after watching the dvd on making this album. Then I listened to it again, and I find it brillant, daring, different, refreshing. Ace took a huge chance. His heart and sould is into this band and he really puts it on the line. Kudos to you ace and TEN
16 - Dan G.
Am I the only one on the planet who actually loves the Path? hahaha