The Early November have a flair for irony. For proof, look no further than The Room's Too Cold, the New Jersey-based band?s Drive-Thru Records full-length cd debut. Despite the chilly title, the new album is as warm and ri... more »chly embracing a collection of songs as one is likely to hear this or any year. Co-produced by lead singer/songwriter Ace Enders and Chris Badami (producer of their 2002 EP For All Of This), The Room's Too Cold is a striking departure for The Early November (as well as for Drive-Thru Records, which crosses new musical frontiers with this album). The band passed on using synths, auto-tune and pro-tools. Instead, they went for natural sound and intensity, using vintage amps and instruments, a live string section and predominantly first-take vocals. With its off-kilter rhythms, unconventional melodies and enigmatic lyrics, The Room's Too Cold is not always easy to understand. "This record kind of sneaks up on you," notes Enders, whose soulful vocals dominate. "You gotta listen to it a few times before you come around." Indeed, the album's 11 songs are richly varied, though the band deliberately left imperfections on the album, because that?s just how life is: imperfect. Tracks like "Ever So Sweet," "Baby Blue," "Fluxy" (which features an appearance by the Starting Line's Ken Vasoli) and "The Course of Human Life," traverse broad emotional landscapes. "The Mountain Range In My Living Room" is about that all-too-human tendency to sweep problems under the rug. Says Marro, "It's about any sort of problem and how people just ignore it or don't say anything. We think it's far more rewarding to figure out what a song means by reading the lyrics and figuring things out on your own. We don't just want to hand it to the listener." The album?s closer, "Everything?s So Cold..But You?re So Hot" is a personal accounting of the end of a relationship that fell into the trap of continual forgiving and forgetting. "Time makes it fine," sings Enders, but eventually it?s time to let go.« less
The Early November have a flair for irony. For proof, look no further than The Room's Too Cold, the New Jersey-based band?s Drive-Thru Records full-length cd debut. Despite the chilly title, the new album is as warm and richly embracing a collection of songs as one is likely to hear this or any year. Co-produced by lead singer/songwriter Ace Enders and Chris Badami (producer of their 2002 EP For All Of This), The Room's Too Cold is a striking departure for The Early November (as well as for Drive-Thru Records, which crosses new musical frontiers with this album). The band passed on using synths, auto-tune and pro-tools. Instead, they went for natural sound and intensity, using vintage amps and instruments, a live string section and predominantly first-take vocals. With its off-kilter rhythms, unconventional melodies and enigmatic lyrics, The Room's Too Cold is not always easy to understand. "This record kind of sneaks up on you," notes Enders, whose soulful vocals dominate. "You gotta listen to it a few times before you come around." Indeed, the album's 11 songs are richly varied, though the band deliberately left imperfections on the album, because that?s just how life is: imperfect. Tracks like "Ever So Sweet," "Baby Blue," "Fluxy" (which features an appearance by the Starting Line's Ken Vasoli) and "The Course of Human Life," traverse broad emotional landscapes. "The Mountain Range In My Living Room" is about that all-too-human tendency to sweep problems under the rug. Says Marro, "It's about any sort of problem and how people just ignore it or don't say anything. We think it's far more rewarding to figure out what a song means by reading the lyrics and figuring things out on your own. We don't just want to hand it to the listener." The album?s closer, "Everything?s So Cold..But You?re So Hot" is a personal accounting of the end of a relationship that fell into the trap of continual forgiving and forgetting. "Time makes it fine," sings Enders, but eventually it?s time to let go.
Thomas Peter | Oxford, MI United States | 01/10/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Similar to Brand New's 'Deja Entendu' album, you can really hear how The Early November has matured on this album. I don't really understand all of the negative reviews, as their sometimes strange guitar riffs ("Something that Produces Results") are anything but ordinary. Here's a rundown:1) Ever So Sweet
I think it's kinda strange that these guys begin their album with a slow, acoustic piece, but it works. The later part of the song is the best part, so give it a chance...it grows on you. Like all of the album, the songs have great transitions between them. 9/102) Something that Produces Results
I love this song...so much energy. The guitar part about midway through the song is one of the strangest things I have heard, but contrary to other reviews of this album, these guys are unlike other 'emo' bands, whatever emo is. 10/103) The Mountain Range in My Living Room
I heard this song well before I bought the CD, as it was available for download from MP3.com. I just love the theme behind this song...it's about being tired of sweeping his problems under the rug, and they're becoming too much to handle. Who other than these guys would think of something like that? This song rocks, its a great sing-a-long one. 10/104) Sesame, Smeshame
I just noticed how these guys like to cluster all of their best songs at the beginning of this album. This is another great one...it reminds me of one of the songs on the 'For All of This' EP, but I just can't think of which one, sorry. The swing feel at the beginning of this song is something new for them, though. 9/105) Baby Blue
This might be my favorite song on the album...however, it doesn't get to its best part until the end. This song reminds me so much of Brand New, with the layered vocal work. I just noticed how short this song is. 10/106) The Course of Human Life
I love every song on this album, and this one is no exception...but it's just missing something. It feels like a filler to me. 7/107) Dinner at the Money Table
It's easy to say that this portion of the album is the worst part...combining tracks 6 and 7. I usually love TEN's acoustic stuff, but this song just has nothing to it. 7/108) Exchanging Two Hundred
Ah, this is the Early November I love. This is such a great song...the layered vocals are sweet, great guitar riffs, just great contrast between quiet and energetic parts of this song. 9/109) My Sleep Pattern Changed
This song disappoints me. The whole thing sounds like one long intro, and you're expecting the big, emotional moment to come, and it never does. It leaves you thinking, "that's it?" 6/1010) Fluxy
Wow I love this song. It's by far the most radio-friendly song on this album (what do you expect with Ken Vasoli, TSL guest vocaling?) He does a good job though. I love the guitar riff at the beginning of this song, its easily one of the highpoints on this album. 10/1011) Everything's Too Cold...But You're So Hot
I hate the name of this song, it departs from these guys' otherwise very mature image. However, this is such a great breakup song...this song is really quiet, and i love the melody. The climax is later in the song with Ace screaming/crying his words...man, that's gotta be what emo is.All in all, this CD isn't as catchy as the 'For All of This' EP, but it doesnt have to be. This shows just how talented these guys are, being able to write such diverse music. Do yourself a favor and pick this one up. Verdict: 94/100"
Great full length debut
Ryan | Knoxville,TN | 10/13/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"definately a great cd. I heard the first track on the cd in my friends car and i just had to get it. It is a great cd. Many people say it is not as good as their last ep. But i think it is just as good. I definately suggest checking this out."
Another Good one
sheininger | Overland Park, KS United States | 10/08/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Being a big fan of their first outting, I had high expectations for this album. For the most part I'd say I was pleasently suprised. While some of it's a bit derivative and a little cheesy (this is where it loses the 5th star...but just barely), it's one of the increasingly small number of emo albums being put out that doesn't substitute substance for sonics. Amazingly it's got a better-than-usual production value for an emo album as well. It didn't change my life...but it makes it a little more bareable."
The Early November cd....... two thumbs up
Matt Palmer | Lets just say I like the Redskins! | 10/08/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I like this cd at first I was like it's ok but as you listen to it a few times you get attached. Baby blue is a great song along with Exchanging Two-Hundred words but agian the whole cd is good. If you like Taking Back Sunday and the Starting Line you will love this CD. I like alot of Punk and Emo stuff so maybe you just have to be a big fan to like this band but I seem the somewhere in the furture from the lyrics to the guitar rifts, to the drums and down into the Bass this BAND rocks. Oh yea another reason im a big fan of Emo is I can relate to it with all the girl problems every Emo band talks about their EXs and loved ones. There is no other way to express your feelings then MUSIC"