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Mayday Parade – A Lesson in Romantics

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Mayday Parade

Artist: Mayday Parade
Album: A Lesson in Romantics
Label: Fearless Records
Purchase: InterPunk
Release Date: July 10th, 2007

Overall: 8.0
Music: 8.5
Lyrics: 7.5
Production: 8.0

With the summer heat blasting outside and thousands of concertgoers flocking to Warped Tour it’s truly peak season for pop-punk. It’s funny to think that it was just a year ago that Mayday Parade spent their summer with backpacks full of CD’s and iPod’s firmly in hand. As they walked up and down the lines of kids waiting to enter the esteemed summertime concert series. The band would sell CD’s to anyone who would stop and take a listen. By the conclusion of the 2006 Vans Warped Tour Mayday Parade made 10,000 new fans without playing a single show. Shortly after, California based Fearless Records took notice of the group and quickly signed them. Tales Told By Dead Friends was re-released in November of ’06 and to date has sold over 20,000 copies. After months on the road it was time to record their first full length record. Entirely prepared with an arsenal of fresh songs and a pair of top tier producers at the helm, Mayday Parade took to the studio.

The result is A Lesson in Romantics, featuring an abundance of perfectly punctuated pop-punk gems. Leading off with the cover “Jamie All Over” which was originally preformed by Kid Named Chicago, but Mayday Parade has certainly taken the song and made it their own. “Black Cat” compared to previous work displays an altered sound, that highlights fantastic guitar work; culminating in a breakdown that defines shredding. The song “When I Get Home, You’re So Dead” is a redo and originally found on their debut EP Tales Told By Dead Friends, the new version provides a new dynamic with a powerful feel; not to mention a much better recording quality. On “Jersey” the lyrical content shines through “Cause Jersey just got colder and I’ll have you know I’m scared to death. That everything that you had said to me was just a lie until you left.” The album charts a different course with “If You Wanted a Song Written About You, All You Had to Do Was Ask” as mid-tempo bass line creates the perfect flow for the track. Where “Miserable at Best” is piano infused ballad at it’s best, with the vocals resonating back and forth “But I guess that I can live without you. But without you I’ll be miserable at best.” Following, Romantics picks back up to speed with a good amount of hooks and solid drums as well as flawless form fitting vocals. The title of “I’d Hate to Be You When People Find Out What This Song Is About” is a bit too generic for my taste but the musicianship is anything but. At this point I personally feel that the CD loses a bit of momentum, but the track “Champagne’s for Celebrating (I’ll Have a Martini)” brings everything back around. A Lesson in Romantics comes to a close with “You Be the Anchor That Keeps My Feet on the Ground, I’ll Be the Wings That Keep Your Heart in the Clouds” where you can feel all the emotion pouring out of the instruments and onto the record.

It’s safe to say that Mayday Parade has all around stepped it up with this album, illustrating their maturity and growth. The lyrics are quite reflective and the music can only be described as strong, while at the same time that irresistible catchiness remains. With exceptional and visually intriguing artwork, A Lesson in Romantics may just be the complete package. Being one that can provide the soundtrack to these mid-summer memories.

Standout Track
Jamie All Over

Track List
1. Jamie All Over
2. Black Cat
3. When I Get Home, You’re So Dead
4. Jersey
5. If You Wanted a Song Written About You, All You Had to Do Was Ask
6. Miserable at Best
7. Walk on Water or Drown
8. Ocean and Atlantic
9. I’d Hate to Be You When People Find Out What This Song Is About
10. Take This to Heart
11. Champagne’s for Celebrating (I’ll Have a Martini)
12. You Be the Anchor That Keeps My Feet on the Ground, I’ll Be the Wings That Keep Your Heart in the Clouds

Fearless Records Signs Every Avenue

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Every Avenue, from Marysville, Michigan, has joined the Fearless Records Family and is set to release a new EP titled Ah! on August 14.

This five piece ensemble is made up of vocalist / pianist David Ryan, guitarists and vocalists Joshua Randal and Jimmie Deeghan, bassist Cameron Grenstiner, and Michael Govaere on drums.

“We are really excited to be part of Fearless Records. We are a hardworking band and we are glad it has paid off. We realize that this is a life changing experience and we are ready to work even harder. We are looking forward to the release of our new EP. This album shows our growth as a band. We are excited to be out on the road playing these songs and meeting fans,”

Every Avenue.

Tour Dates

06.20.07 – La Crosse, WI @ The Warehouse
06.21.07 – Rochester, MN @ Midwest Skatepark
06.22.07 – Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue
06.23.07 – Burnsville, MN @ The Garage
06.24.07 – Madison, WI @ The Annex (18+)
06.25.07 – Neenah, WI @ The Hub
06.26.07 РBerwyn, IL @ The Nite Light Caf̩
06.27.07 – Grand Rapids, MI @ The DAAC
06.28.07 РRoseville, MI @ Myspace Internet Caf̩
06.30.07 – Detroit, MI @ St. Andrews Hall
07.04.07 – Ann Arbor, MI @ The Blind Pig
07.05.07 – Lansing, MI @ Mac’s Bar
07.07.07 – Warren, MI @ Jonas Stock at GS360
07.08.07 – Clinton Township, MI @ The Rusty Nail
07.10.07 – Warren, MI @ GS360
07.20.07 – Sandusky, MI @ The Potato Extravaganza at The Beacon
07.21.07 – Midlothian, IL @ JT Music
07.24.07 – Lansing, MI @ Mac’s
07.25.07 – Warren, MI @ GS360
07.26.07 – Port Huron, MI @ Club Dash

Punk Goes Acoustic 2

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Punk Goes Acoustic 2

Artist: Various Artists
Album: Punk Goes Acoustic 2
Label: Fearless Records
Purchase: Smart Punk
Release Date: May 5, 2007

Overall: 7.5
Music: 8.0
Lyrics: 7.0
Production: 7.5

Fearless Records has been putting out these Punk Goes.. something albums for a while now. The latest one being Punk Goes Acoustic 2. This follow up to Punk Goes Acoustic gives the listener the same thing they have been wanting, acoustic and even more emotional versions of songs by their favorite artists. Although this album does not have as big name artists as the first one it gives the listener just as much bang for their buck.

The best songs on the album without questions are the All Time Low, The All-American Rejects, and The Spill Canvas songs. I already love those songs in their original version, but on this album they are given a whole new face lift and sound. All Time Low plays “Jasey Rae”, which is performed beautifully with soft guitars and piano playing the lead guitar parts. “Night Drive” is The All-American Rejects song. On this album AAR give it a completely new style, slowed down and sort of an acoustic folk rock sound. The Spill Canvas has their famous hit “Staplegunned”, which is just an extremely emotional song in which the emotion is amplified times three when played acoustically.

Other good songs are The Audition’s “Don’t Be So Hard”, Relient K’s “Who I Am Hates Who I’ve Been”, Jack’s Mannequin’s “Brusied”, and Sherwood’s “The Only Song”. There isn’t that much that is special about “Don’t Be So Hard” or “Bruised”, they are just really great acoustic versions. “Who I Am Hates Who I’ve Been” is also performed great, and is also not completely acoustic you will hear drums halfway throughout the song. The drums seem necessary for a song like this one, which in its original version is played very fast paced and upbeat. Sherwood plays one of their brand new songs “The Only Song”, which the best thing about it is the harmonizing and catchy guitars parts play acoustically.

There are some bands on this album that many people, including myself are not to familar with yet. One of them being Mayday Parade. I really enjoyed their acoustic verison of “Three Cheers For Five Years”. It’s chopped filled with dualing vocals and piano. If their actually cd is anything like this song they will definitely be a band to look to in the near future. The only true punk bands included on this album are the old and famous Anti-Flag and the newly claimed Set Your Goals. I really honestly don’t like the anti-government rants by Anti-Flag but they did a good acoustic version of “Welcome To 1984”. Set Your Goals perform a decent acoustic version of “Echos”. Althought it is really not even that acoustic. Drums are played constantly throughout the entire song, also with a bass and acoustic guitar. It is pretty much performed with a full band, unlike the rest of the songs on the album.

With these Various Artists albums its rare to find one that is completely perfect. This one comes pretty close. There is only a couple of songs I do not like on here, and all the rest are amazing or just averagely good. I recommend this album for everyone, and especially if you like acoustic songs. This is a great acoustic album.

Standout Tracks
“Jasey Rae”, “Staplegunned”, “Night Drive”, “Bruised”

Tracklisting
1. Jack’s Mannequin – Bruised
2. The Audition – Don’t Be So Hard
3. +44 -Baby, Come On
4. Daphne Loves Derby – Sun
5. Say Anything – Woe
6. Alesana – Apology
7. All Time Low – Jasey Rae
8. Silverstein – Red Light Pledge
9. The All-American Rejects – Night Drive
10. Mayday Parade – Three Cheers For Five Years
11. The Spill Canvas – Staplegunned
12. Relient K – Who I Am Hates Who I’ve Been
13. Anti-Flag – Welcome To 1984
14. Sherwood – The Onl Song
15. Set Your Goals – Echoes

Mayday Parade Track Listing; Album Art; Pre-Order

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Mayday Parade‘s new album, A Lesson In Romantics, will be released on July 10th through Fearless Records. You can hear a new song titled “Black Cat” on the bands PureVolume page. A special pre-order has been set up at several online stores, you can receive a free t-shirt with your pre-order.

Mayday Parade

Track Listing

01. Jamie All Over
02. Black Cat
03. When I Get Home You’re So Dead
04. Jersey
05. If You Wanted a Song Written About You, All You Had To Do Was Ask
06. Miserable At Best
07. Walk on Water or Drown
08. Ocean and Atlantic
09. I’d Hate to Be You When People Find Out What This Song Is About
10. Take This To Heart
11. Champagne’s For Celebrating (I’ll Have a Martini)
12. You Be The Anchor That Keeps My Feet On The Ground, I’ll Be The Wings That Keep Your Heart In The Clouds

Punk Goes Acoustic 2 Track Listing, Pre-Sale

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Punk Goes Acoustic 2
Fearless Records has announced the Punk Goes Acoustic 2 pre-sale and tracklisting. Punk Goes Acoustic 2 hits record stores and online stores May 8, 2007. You can pre-order the album now at MerchNow for $10 and receive a free album from the Punk Goes Series of your choice with each order. There will also be buy one get one free offers on SmartPunk.com and Interpunk.com. Punk Goes Acoustic 2 features unreleased and exclusive versions of the most popular songs from Anti-Flag, +44, The All-American Rejects, Jack’s Mannequin, Relient K, Silverstein, Mayday Parade, Sherwood, Alesana, Set you Goals, Daphne Loves Derby, The Spill Canvas, All Time Low and TheAudition.

Track Listing
Jacks Mannequin – Bruised
theAudition – Dont be so hard
+44 – Baby Come On
Daphne Loves Derby — Sun
Say Anything – Woe
Alesana – Apology
All Time Low – Jasey Rae
Silverstein – RedLight Pledge
The All-Amercian Rejects – Night Drive
Mayday Parade – Three Cheers for Five Years
The Spill Canvas – Staplegunned
Relient K – Who I am Hates Who I’ve Been
Anti-Flag – Welcome to 1984
Sherwood – The Only Song
Set Your Goals – Echoes

Visit Punk Goes Acoustic 2 on Myspace to hear samples of various songs from the compilation.

Punk Goes Acoustic 2

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Jacks Mannequin will be contributing an acoustic track to the Punk Goes Acoustic 2 compilation set to street on May 8, 2006. Punk Goes Acoustic 2 is the 6th album in the Fearless Records’ Punk Goes series.Ԛ  This series has sold over 250,000 cd’s and continues to sell.Ԛ  Due to the overwhelming fan response Fearless decided to release a sequel to the first Punk Goes Acoustic album.