Ace Enders and a Million Different People – When I Hit the Ground
  1. Ace Enders and a Million Different People
  2. When I Hit the Ground
  3. Vagrant Records/ Drive-Thru Records
  4. myspace.com/aceendersandamilliondifferentpeople

Ace Enders and a Million Different People – When I Hit the Ground

It’s three years since The Early November released an album and two years since the band went on a hiatus. Needless to say, fans had big expectations when they heard vocalist Ace Enders would be working on a new project which he’s calling Ace Enders and a Million Different People.

The name refers to all his friends that he’s gotten to help him out in various ways, most noticeably on a cover of “Bittersweet Symphony” that was released as an iTunes only single. Proceeds went to VH1’s Save the Music fund, which helps sponsor school music programs, but the main draw to the song was probably the massive number of punk rock stars who had a hand in it, including Mark Hoppus, Bryce Avery, Aaron Marsh, Craig Owens, Matt Theissen, Kenny Vasoli, Alex Gaskarth, and Duane Okun.

But of course, the real product lies in Ace’s solo debut on Vagrant Records. When I Hit the Ground gives listeners another healthy dose of that voice we all know and love. But while the music holds an obvious similarity, this album is much more than just the next Early November record. The days of technical, respectable emo rock are over, and Ace has moved into a more “mature” and rocking brand of alternative. I say mature tentatively, because I don’t mean it as a code word for grown-up-and-mellowed-out as so many artists use it. What I mean is his songwriting abilities have noticeably improved, and the perspective on life given in his lyrics comes from a man who has been around the block another time and has a little more insight to give.

This couldn’t be truer than on “Reintroduction,” where Enders yells out “I’ve been a ghost for the past eight years of my life,” then softly sweetly sings “And now I surrender to you, my love.” It seems getting married has made the love songs more solid and positive.

Other tracks like “Where Do We Go from Here” and “Sweeter Light” are glowing pop-rock with a tight indie rock feeling. “New Guitar” brings things down with an acoustic folk base, and the slower title track reminds you this is still the guy who wrote “Sunday Drive.”

When I Hit the Ground, the first retail album from Ace Enders and a Million Different People, is an obvious departure from Ace’s days in The Early November, taking his musical technicality and catchy choruses from those days and updating them with stronger songwriting and enough accessibility for possible mainstream success. However, the main appeal lies with the indie rockers, and When I Hit the Ground will be sure to please both old and new fans alike.