I Can Make A Mess Like Nobodys Business – Enola

A few years back I never would have pegged Ace Enders of The Early November fame to become such a prolific pillar in today’s scene.  But here was are; the front man boasting a lengthy catalogue outside of his band in the form of solo records and his long standing side-project, I Can Make A Mess (formerlyI Can Make A Mess Like Nobody’s Business).  The third formal full length, Enola, from Ender’s side project graces listeners nearly ten years after its debut; highlighting a career worth of maturation and growth that can barely be compared with earlier work.

Immediately evident is just how appropriate dropping the “Like Nobody’s Business” namesake is.  Compared with their debut full length, the band has grown out of being your little brother’s whinny emo band to an ambitious experimental indie project.  Replaced with a vision ranging from popping electronic beats to soothing acoustic serenades, Enola might just be Ender’s biggest career departure to date.

Most successfully, songs tend to display unique fingerprints rather than conform to a preset formula.  Album high points subtly make their mark, before long embedding their charm in memory.  Take for instance “Close Enough,” which holds the distinction of successfully emulating the soulful grooves and falsetto ofPortugal. the Man.  The memorable soundboard hum of “Listen Lesson / Keep Away” carries over and builds a mystic backing falsetto that fades into the swirling harmonious undulations of “Tidal Wave” that culminates in a focal saxophone solo.  The take away message; that the songs compliment one another without a trace of self-plagiarism.

A ghost of the old I Can Make A Mess Like Nobody’s Business emerges late in the album but without Enders chancing losing his new ground.  “Lions” in particular features a stripped down, emotional introduction that evolves into a clever acoustic showpiece.  Long time fans will surely welcome the classic Enders piano keys propelling “Ancient Crows.”  When balanced with some tasteful electronic additives the song emerges as a pleasant slice of indie-pop with a chorus textured in vocals.

When all is said and done, Enola doesn’t only provide a strong stand-alone serving of soft indie goodness; but also serves as a document to some of the most significant artist growth out there.  Ace Enders has come a long way from his early days, and is one of the few artists from the early 00’s to have successfully broken free of the career confining limitations of the emo genre.  Enola marks a new beginning for I Can Make A Mess.  A beginning that should excite long time fans and earn the ear of a new generation.