Frank Giaramita
09/30/04, 03:51 AM
Band: I Can Make A Mess Like Nobody's Business
CD: Self-titled
Label: Drive-thru records
Release date: 10/26/04
Rating: 8.5/10
The country soaked emo debut from I Can Make A Mess Like Nobody's Business is nothing less than what most would expect from Ace Enders, Singer of the The Early November (TEN) and god of Drive thru records (DTR). This self-titled masterpiece was written off and revived numerous times by DTR and Ace himself. I must say, both parties made the right decision by releasing this thing because it's absolutely incredible.
Ace's vocal approach on this record is extremely different than anything I've previously heard from him, it's a refreshing dose of maturity and an accurate display of his musical parameters. He minimizes his vocal projection and volume to the absolute lowest it can go, It gives his voice a more intimate, worn out sound that screams emotion, feeling and truth....Something 99% of music lacks today. His lyrics tell stories and really plant pictures in your head when listening, they're MUCH better than anything he's written in TEN. The most creative feature of the album is the TV show clips that play faintly in the background of the songs, they are used to symbolize the distraction, irritation and hassle in life while filling the empty spots some of the songs would possess. Some might consider these clips to be an irritation but I find them to be perfectly placed and perfect volume, most of the time you won't even notice them.
Ace's guitar work is nothing out of the ordinary. Straightforward rhythms and basic chord progressions leave perfect room for his technical melodies. Track 5 "the best happiness money can buy" is the only exception to this spacious approach, and although it's only a 1.44 seconds long, it packs a punch and a super catchy hook.
The most prominent feature of the CD is the range of song style. Some of the tunes contain a church/cathedral kind of aura while others have the catchy country feel, there's a song for every mood a person could experience, it's awesome. (There was way to many C's in that last sentence and I'm sorry for that).
Production wise it's basic. No crazy effects or over the top bullshit that Trombino would rape it with. The fact that Ace is anti auto-tune in an era where it's as common as idiots in the ap.net forums is incredible. Nothing is better than a genuine voice without the twisted tone auto-tune and reverb would supply.
The only negative thing I can bring myself to say about this album is that some of the songs have semi-boring parts. This con is almost 100% overshadowed by Ace's follow-up hooks of redemption though.
Overall this record is ingenious. It really breaks typical "emo" custom and is a perfect album to chill and relax too. Ace has yet to disappoint me-- 8.5/10.
Tracklisting:
1. Untitled 1
2. Whispering Actually
3. So I Decided To Give Myself A Reason
4. Timshel
5. The Best Happiness Money Can Buy
6. An Oak Tree Stands Beside A Linden
7. But When The Little Fellow Came Close...
8. Untitled 8
9. Untitled 9
10. The Kindler Burns
11. End Of The Background Noise
12. Untitled 12
13. Untitled 13
14. I Know The Substance Of My Evil
15. Salvy
CD: Self-titled
Label: Drive-thru records
Release date: 10/26/04
Rating: 8.5/10
The country soaked emo debut from I Can Make A Mess Like Nobody's Business is nothing less than what most would expect from Ace Enders, Singer of the The Early November (TEN) and god of Drive thru records (DTR). This self-titled masterpiece was written off and revived numerous times by DTR and Ace himself. I must say, both parties made the right decision by releasing this thing because it's absolutely incredible.
Ace's vocal approach on this record is extremely different than anything I've previously heard from him, it's a refreshing dose of maturity and an accurate display of his musical parameters. He minimizes his vocal projection and volume to the absolute lowest it can go, It gives his voice a more intimate, worn out sound that screams emotion, feeling and truth....Something 99% of music lacks today. His lyrics tell stories and really plant pictures in your head when listening, they're MUCH better than anything he's written in TEN. The most creative feature of the album is the TV show clips that play faintly in the background of the songs, they are used to symbolize the distraction, irritation and hassle in life while filling the empty spots some of the songs would possess. Some might consider these clips to be an irritation but I find them to be perfectly placed and perfect volume, most of the time you won't even notice them.
Ace's guitar work is nothing out of the ordinary. Straightforward rhythms and basic chord progressions leave perfect room for his technical melodies. Track 5 "the best happiness money can buy" is the only exception to this spacious approach, and although it's only a 1.44 seconds long, it packs a punch and a super catchy hook.
The most prominent feature of the CD is the range of song style. Some of the tunes contain a church/cathedral kind of aura while others have the catchy country feel, there's a song for every mood a person could experience, it's awesome. (There was way to many C's in that last sentence and I'm sorry for that).
Production wise it's basic. No crazy effects or over the top bullshit that Trombino would rape it with. The fact that Ace is anti auto-tune in an era where it's as common as idiots in the ap.net forums is incredible. Nothing is better than a genuine voice without the twisted tone auto-tune and reverb would supply.
The only negative thing I can bring myself to say about this album is that some of the songs have semi-boring parts. This con is almost 100% overshadowed by Ace's follow-up hooks of redemption though.
Overall this record is ingenious. It really breaks typical "emo" custom and is a perfect album to chill and relax too. Ace has yet to disappoint me-- 8.5/10.
Tracklisting:
1. Untitled 1
2. Whispering Actually
3. So I Decided To Give Myself A Reason
4. Timshel
5. The Best Happiness Money Can Buy
6. An Oak Tree Stands Beside A Linden
7. But When The Little Fellow Came Close...
8. Untitled 8
9. Untitled 9
10. The Kindler Burns
11. End Of The Background Noise
12. Untitled 12
13. Untitled 13
14. I Know The Substance Of My Evil
15. Salvy