The Early November - Lilac (September 27, 2019) Album • Page 32

On first listen I’m not too crazy about this album. Might grow on me over time. There are some moments I like but for the most part I’m left a little underwhelmed. Definitely hurts to say that too.

 

I am really digging this. Never gave Imbue much listening because it didn’t stand out to me. This has me a bit captivated.

 

Really loving this the more I listen.


Anybody know who plays horns on this?

 

Nate Sander, who’s touring with them now, did a lot of the extra instrumentation

 

This is a really weird record. Only listened a couple of times, but some stuff just don’t seem to work super well here. As others have mentioned, the chorus of “Comatose” sounds like Destiny’s Child or Taylor Swift. “You Own My Mind” could be a Drake song. Some of these melodys just feel really cheesy. It’s a super poppy record, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but I don’t think it’s done super well here.

Lyrics are also a bit too on the nose for me in parts (“Hit by a Car” being the worst offender). “Ave Maria” kinda falls into this too.

On the positive side, there’s also some really cool stuff on here like “Perfect Sphere,” “My Weakness,” “Make my Bed,” and “I Dissolve.”

It’s just a really weird record. I need more time with it, but honestly I don’t know that it will hold my attention with how many gripes I currently have with it.

 

Just got back from the show tonight and listened to this album for the first time on the drive home. First off, they still put on a hell of a show. "I Don't Care" goes OFF so hard live and "Baby Blue" is just a perfect moment of nostalgia mixed with joy and everything. First listen of the album is great, some really cool stuff on here. They couldn't really have gone any further down the road that they were with Imbue and this is the perfect example of how to take a hard left turn between albums but still fuckin nail it.

 

FYI, all 5 members of the band are credited as writers on all tracks of the album.

 

At the show tonight, Ace talked about how Ave Maria was the last song written for the album, so that's a fun fact

 

I like it. It's just like Imbue, all the songs hit on the second or third listen. Wasn't expecting much for whatever reason, but dammit Ace, I guess you got me again

 

Interesting that all members are credited here. When listening to Ace on Lead Singer Syndrome podcast he made it seem like this record was mostly him. Also he specifically says Sergio and I believe one other left, but maybe that was just for touring purposes

 

In Currents was an excellent comeback album and Imbue was a great progression for them from In Currents. I agree wholeheartedly with @irthesteve in that they probably couldn’t have gone much further with the sound on imbue and think they would’ve come out with a similar album.

The change in sound with Lilac is fresh and a solid foundation for them to continue building on for future releases if they want to.

 

Haven’t been able to get over this lol hate that song

 

I really like this. I wasn’t into anything TEN did before Imbue, but these last two albums do it for me.

 

Sergio is on this tour

 

if my memory works, last night was Ace, Sergio, Jeff, Bill and Nate Sander

 

Did Joe record on this? Is he even in the band anymore?

 

he is credited as a writer for the whole album

 

Very weird then

 

I'm pretty much in this boat. I've owned all their albums but I've definitely liked the ones since getting back together the most

 

The more I listen to this, the more I love it. TEN cannot do wrong, in my eyes. It really is a record that shows such progression for the band.

 

I guess I wouldn't be surprised if Joe & Sergio came in here and there to record some parts. Well now that I think about it, they probably did write & record a bit, but with how long the album was delayed, they probably left in that time.

EDIT: Just listened to this for the third & forth time, back to back. Now that I'm getting more familiar with it, it's starting grow on me. Comatose & Lilac are probably the 2 best songs Ace has ever written. While it's starting to grow on me, I can definitely still see this being at the bottom of TEN's discography for me.

 

Dude this is so good wow

 

I really can't get into My Weakness. You Own My Mind also isn't doing much for me.
But everything else, damnnnnn this is great. Perfect Sphere, Comatose, Our Choice, top tier TEN songs.

 

Comatose is not good

 

Make My Bed makes we want to learn how to whistle