Ace Enders' second solo disc is a confident, commercial release that tempers his ambitious emo-pop experiments with a dose of '90s alternative rock. Now in his mid-twenties, Enders isn't the same wide-eyed frontman whose coming-of-age insecurities were funneled into
the Early November's albums. That heart-on-the-sleeve mentality is still present here -- in the way Enders throws his voice into a higher register during "Where Do We Go from Here," or the way he plays with loud/soft dynamics to ratchet up the emotion -- but Enders is now an adult, a father, a homeowner, and the resulting responsibilities have tightened his craft considerably. That's not to say that When I Hit the Ground will alienate the songwriter's fan club; longtime producer Chris Badami is back on board, after all, and he captures Enders' songs with a familiar blend of grit and polish, steering clear of the overly buffed sparkle that differentiates emo-pop veterans from the bands they've spawned. The album even delves into politics -- if not expertly, then at least earnestly -- with "Leader" and "Bring Back Love," two tracks that further display Enders' growing maturity. For those who don't grow as readily as the songwriter, though, several ballads recall the overwrought emotions that first established Enders as an emo poster boy, and When I Hit the Ground ultimately succeeds by appealing to a wide audience. ~ Andrew Leahey