With little prior knowledge of the Early November, I was aghast when listening to these seven tracks for the first time. “They’re just ripping off Dashboard Confessional!” I thought when preparing to desecrate all over the band and knock them back for having no fresh ideas. But having calmed down and wiping the sweat from my brow I learnt these are acoustic recordings from the bands “For All This” EP, and after managing to cop a listen of said EP, my opinion changed from one of shock, to one of awe. Well, not quite but you get the idea. When looking at the big picture though, this is actually a very presentable and solid EP. The songs are performed to an extremely high standard from the vocals and strumming of (I assume) Ace Enders and some of the highs and lows his voice reach are a joy to behold.
But it is the two new tracks present which create the biggest ripple. Live favourite ‘Ever So Sweet’ starts strongly and only gets better with its endearingly poetic respites about love lost while ‘Make it Happen’ is an emotional rollercoaster of highs and lows coming complete with a chorus which is sure to go down a storm in the future. The rest of the EP is your average acoustic package full of forlorn songs of despair, but never once does it seem (too) patronising or forced. The vocals are hugely impressive and rarely waver but most importantly it is a genuinely enjoyable experience to listen to. The Early November have an extremely important 12 months ahead them including the release of a split with I Am The Avalanche and an ambitious 3 CD release in February, but for the time being these seven tracks will do them no harm at all. One for the gentler side of the scene and those who love a weeping slice of emo pie.
Jay
Drive Thru Records
www.theearlynovember.net
