The Early November and The Rocket Summer at the Opera House; Monday April 10, 2007

The Early November and The Rocket Summer at the Opera House; Monday April 10, 2007. 5/10

I think this deserves the title of the worst show of the entire year so far. It's a real shame seeing as this was the Early November's last show in Toronto and for that matter Canada, for they are going on hiatus (i'd just say breaking up). The band had been together for six years--releasing a total of four albums and creating a fairly solid fan base. Despite their success it was evident from their last album that they weren't going places. The Rocket Summer opened up, from this set i realized how much i have grown musically in the last few years. It sounds silly but my musical taste has change incredibly. The Rocket Summer's first album "Calendar Days" was one of my most beloved albums in summer 2004, or the summer of the tenth grade. The first song he played was the first track off that album called "Cross My Heart"--I could sing along however i felt somewhat embarassed. I think for one of the first times i have realized how awful The Rocket Summer actually is, it's incredible how things work out. Physically Bryce Avery (Rocket Summer Front Man) gave in to trends--sporting the stick straight (freshly ironed) hair that had more than likely just been bleached a day or two before. Classy Byrce, Classy.The Early November came on--they opened up with their single off their new album, the song being "Hair". "Hair" is a cutesy track that most people can enjoy for its upbeat sound and catchy lyrics. I found the sound was done really poorly, Ace's vocals were too quiet and the instruments particualrly the bass was far too loud, resulting in the drowning out of the vocals. Perhaps that was a good thing because the background vocals in which the other guitarist/synth player supplied were awful! They did not sound anythign like they more than likely should have and by no means was he a good singer.The one thing i do have to commend them for was their set choice, playing: I Want To Hear You Sad, Baby Blue, Sunday Drive, Ever So Sweet, Every Night's Another Story, Decoration and Hair. They played practically every song i would ever ask them to play in a set. Perhaps i'm being harsh, but i find musicianship is seriously lacking in music these days--especially through the more punkier scenes, which for me now makes it hard to appriciate that type of music at all.

Download: "Sunday Drive" because it was my anthem in the nineth grade and "TV Family" because the chorus is cute.