The Early November - Imbue


The Early November
Imbue
2015

The Early November have not left their Pop Punk/Emo roots far behind on their latest release Imbue. The same four chords, the same harmonized vocals much of the same but with one caveat, they've grown up. Their early style was aggressive and passionite but Imbue seems content to exist in its adult contemporary world not ruffling to many feathers. Don't get me wrong The Early November have not become Train or Matchbox 20, but they are about as far from punk as you can go in this world. The songs are much slower this time around, a kinder gentler Early November. It is not until the second to last track "Nothing Lasts Forever" that the band really rocks and brings some of their notorious high energy with clean bright vocals. It's a long time to wait.

The major issue with this record is just that it is so generic. These songs could be sung and performed by almost anyone in the same sphere as The Early November and you really wouldn't notice a difference. They aren't setting themselves apart. On the final track on the album "Digital Age" the vocals are so rough it sounds like the singer may be sick, it is very off putting for a full album release. The content of the song is trying to adapt to a "digital age" which makes the album feel even more out of touch with the times. Imbue might be ok for easy listening, but falls flat in most other arenas. If you really want to listen to The Early November go back and listen to "Every Night's Another Story" when they were at their best.

4 out of 10  

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