2006: Most Ambitious Record

Over the month of December I'll be posting some of my picks for superlative records/songs/artists of the year. Just like everyone else in the blog-o-world. Of course, none of these are worth any more than the electronic 1's and 0's they're comprised of, but nobody else lets that stop them and damned if I'm going to miss the party.

An easy one to start...

Most Ambitious Record:
The Early November's The Mother, The Mechanic, and The Path is a cohesive, focused collection of 3 CDs: The Mechanic is the rocker, The Mother is quieter, more pensive. And then there's The Path, which is...well it's really something. It's a narrative, it's a dialogue, it's a soundtrack, it even has a surprise ending(!).

In a scene increasingly plagued by uninspired soundalikes and over-applied guyliner, it was so refreshing to see The Early November try something completely insane. Is it a masterpiece? Nah, I don't think it could be called that. But it sure has its moments (some listed below). Highlights, lowlights and all, The Mother, The Mechanic, and The Path easily one of the most memorable releases in 2006.

Noteworthy highlights:
"No Good at Saying Sorry (One More Chance)"
"A Little More Time" (mp3, right click to download.)
"Decoration"
"Hair"
"1000 Times a Day"
"The Car In 20"
"Is It My Fault"
"Money In His Hand"

Watch out for TEN on the "Friends or Enemies Tour" beginning January '07 alongside Fall Out Boy, New Found Glory, and Permanent Me, and if you're around Jersey (where they're from) make sure you get yourself to the House of Blues in Atlantic City on December 27 for a special holiday show with Dave Mellilo and All Time Low.

The Early November @ myspace.