Mayday Parade: Anywhere But Here Review

This review is going to be extremely difficult to write. If you are familiar with Mayday Parade, you know how much ass their first LP "A Lesson In Romantics" kicked. And you also know why: awesome and heartfelt dual vocals accompanied by great lyrics and instruments, especially in the area of the drums. This was a band that was lyrically and (dual) vocally-driven, and it was a trademark that set them apart from every other band on the face of the earth. This was their uniqueness, their one identifiable trait that increased not only their appeal, but also just how cool they were. But notice that I've written this paragraph in the past tense. Because co-lead singer, guitarist, and head songwriter Jason Lancaster left the band after the completion of the first LP. And its effects can easily be seen. The focus of the music has shifted from being vocally-driven to trying to distract the audience from the blatantly obvious absence of Jason's voice and lyrics with great lead guitar riffs from Alex Garcia, rhythm guitar from Brooks Betts, bass from Jeremy Lenzo, and skillful drumming from Jake Bundrick. This isn't a bad thing that they've stepped up showcasing their instrumental talents, but despite this, most Mayday Parade fans are only noticing this blatant lack of Jason's vocals and song-writing skills. I am torn writing this review, because in comparing "A Lesson In Romantics" to "Anywhere But Here", their first LP easily has my vote and probably the vote of 95% of MP fans. However, this is not a bad album. Let me put it to you this way: this is as good as Mayday Parade could possibly be without Jason Lancaster. Lead singer Derek Sanders doesn't quite harness the great wailing and bellowing that typified the first album, which was a really effective way of displaying some powerful emotion, but since it is only his vocals this time around, he has to do a lot of new things this time around. I'm not going to sit here and rant and rave like some other fans about how Mayday Parade is finished, or how they sold out, or how their uniqueness is gone, or how they have become the same as Cobra Starship/We The Kings/Boys Like Girls/The Academy Is/whoever the hell else you wanna throw in there in an attempt to diminish their reputation but the truth is that although this band is not the same, it is still good music, and while it is closer to pop punk than I personally prefer and despite the fact that the album is somewhat short in length and lyrical depth, this is still Mayday Parade, people. They're still good. They're still worth listening to. And they still deserve your loyalty.
1. Kids In Love- This song reveals the album for what it is: catchy, but just not quite the same. Although the lyrics here are pretty solid, I have to admit, even if they are a tad simplistic. This is a pleasant, optimistic song reflecting on young love, and one will notice the drums are spot on, as well as the fact that Derek's vocals are consistent throughout; although he cannot continuously bellow and wail like the first LP, he still does a good job with the part he is assigned here. This is a pretty typical Mayday Parade song even if it isn't as upbeat and fast-paced as normal, and one almost expects Jason's voice to suddenly join in during the chorus. Sorry, wishful thinking. Maybe next time. 9.5/10
2. Anywhere But Here- The second song to be released to the public for their listening pleasure, this song really captures the essence of Mayday Parade's magic, minus Jason Lancaster of course. It features Derek's identifiable softer voice in the beginning before a great guitar hook and drum scheme pick it up a notch. The vocals remain soft until the chorus, which returns to the great bellowing and wailing I've been mentioning. The guitar for the chorus is brilliant, and the entire song is well executed. Simple lyrics, but a song like this doesn't necessarily need extravagant lyrics to work. The best song on the album is also the title track here. 10/10
3. The Silence- The first song released to the public would have been the best song on the album if not for "Anywhere But Here". This is where Jason's absence is most clearly obvious. Mayday Parade ventures into new territory here: dramatic. The guitar pattern for the entire song is damn good, the drums are consistently good, and Derek's vocals combine for a very dramatic effect. The chorus is great and the point of the song is a good one as well, due in part to the stronger lyrics and also due to the fashion in which it is executed. The build-up to the end of the song is terrific as well. A great, different song from Mayday Parade that works well. If only Jason's absence would have meant stellar music like this throughout the album. 10/10
4. Still Breathing- Another break from the norm that is made clear in the very beginning with some guitar and bass that is uncharacteristically mellow. It picks up right before the chorus, which then returns to more placid grounds. Softer vocals are nice, but not as good as what Mayday fans are used to. This is a solid and heartfelt song, and some of the lyrics are all right, but I have to question the inclusion of the line seen at the beginning of each chorus: "It's hard to be a man, but I'm doing all I can". Why would anyone say that? All kidding aside though, there is some nice piano in the middle when the song slows down and a sweet guitar solo near the end of the song that gives way to great guitar whammying til the end. Not bad. 8.5/10
5. Bruised And Scarred- This song represents a return to typical Mayday Parade: heartfelt and strong vocals, upbeat rhythm, and a catchy and enjoyable chorus. This blues-y rock song has sing-a-long written all over it. The lyrics are not strong, but once again, the ideas conveyed here do not necessarily need to be extravagant to be effective. A nice change of tempo near the end of the song gives the song variety and transitions back into the great chorus well. One might also notice the subtle inclusion and emphasis put on the instruments in the background as well. 9/10
6. If You Can't Live Without Me, Why Aren't You Dead Yet?- While I don't particularly mind the fact that the song titles for this band's music aren't as clever and witty as before, I'm glad they included at least this one in there. There are some really good guitar and drums here, and this song shows Mayday Parade rocking out with a fervor not previously seen. It works well, and Derek's vocals are noticeably well-founded. Lyrically simple, but musically complex and compelling. There is a really kick-ass guitar solo in this song as well, which was not seen anywhere in "A Lesson In Romantics" for some reason, but really takes advantage of the spotlight when the chance is given. The guitar then returns for round two near the end of the song, and makes me wonder why I never knew how great these guys could rock out this intensely before. 9.5/10
7. Save Your Heart- Another blues-y rock song that I could picture fitting in with previous Mayday Parade work if not for Jason's absence (again). And another repetition here, simple lyrics that are simple because there is no need for meticulousness. A solid concept of saving your heart "for someone that's worth dying for" that is very heartfelt and catchy. It is in listening to this song that I miss Jason's presence in the band the most, because while this is a great song, it could have been so much better (which can really be said for the whole album) if this band had all of the components that put them on the map and in the hearts of its fans. 9.5/10
8. Get Up- This is my least favorite track on the album. I appreciate the fact that the band wanted to make a song giving shout-outs to its fans all over the US, but this is way too pop-punk for me to care for. To take a page out of the book of newly-formed Mayday Parade haters, this really is too close to Boys Like Girls for me to like. I can't really say anything else bad about the song because the guitar and drums and everything else are pretty good, and Derek's vocals are solid again, even if they are accompanied by annoying chanting in the background. This song just doesn't really appeal to my musical interests, especially when one considers how simple the lyrics are here. 7.5/10
9. Center Of Attention- Much stronger lyrics this time around, dealing with calling someone who thinks they are more important than they really are back to reality. This is a nice addition to the Mayday Parade track list, displaying some solid guitar, bass, and drums. The vocals for the verses are not really anything special, but the chorus is very polished with shining vocals and a very appealing guitar riff. This is some solid work, especially when the song closes with the great guitar scheme and a longer note from Derek. 9.5/10
10. I Swear This Time I Mean It- The first and only slow song on the album, which kind of disappoints me because the emotionally-charged songs from "A Lesson In Romantics" gave the album variety and even more emotional impact on a listener. This is pretty much just acoustic guitar accompanied by heartfelt and compelling softer vocals from Derek. This is lyrically akin to their debut LP, which is the greatest compliment I could bestow at this point. A very solid and emotionally appealing song that is great for relaxation and reflection. 10/10
11. The End- This song is nowhere as great of a closer as the final track on their previous album, because "You Be The Anchor That Keeps My Feet On The Ground, I'll Be The Wings That Keep Your Heart In The Clouds" epitomized all the qualities a stellar closer track should have, but this is still appropriate for ending the album. An upbeat song that shows it has more underlying feel to it, and therefore establishes itself as a quality final song. This song gets in, makes its point, and gets out, lyrically and musically, and it is done very well. A quality rock song, but once again, it could have been so much better. 9/10
Overall: 102/110
As you can tell from the score, this album is definitely sound. But one has to take into account that this album is sound for what it is, and this may not be what Mayday Parade fans are used to. I can definitely understand that eventually a band will not be able to top their previous effort, and that this is acceptable if the band at least comes close or produces something respectable, but this stage should not be occurring this soon, nor should it be happening because of an inner feud within the band that robs them of their style, uniqueness, and therefore, significance. Like I said, this is as good as Mayday Parade could possibly be without Jason Lancaster, and I certainly congratulate them and commend them for a well-done record. But there is no denying that this is not the Mayday Parade that we all know, love, and now, miss. Although I don't know what is true and untrue about the reasons why the band broke up despite the fact that most people believe it to be Mayday Parade's fault, it doesn't matter where the fault lies. I am truly saddened by the fact that the band and Jason parted ways, because one simple and potentially easily solved argument is preventing appreciative and supportive fans from getting the quality of music they are used to. I am further saddened by the fact that Jason even said on a blog for his new band, Go Radio, that he is sorry for the whole feud and that he is leaving the door open to his five friends from Mayday Parade in the hopes that they will one day bring themselves through it. There you have it. Jason Lancaster clearly would be down for coming back, no matter how excited and into Go Radio he may be (and it would certainly be possible for him to be a part of two bands anyway like Aaron Gillespie of Underoath and The Almost), and Mayday Parade cannot be pretentious enough to not recognize how much dissent is being voiced by their fans, no matter how hard they worked on this newest effort and no matter how many new fans they may have acquired. Both sides would benefit from a reunion, and I believe I accurately voice the opinions of 99% of Mayday Parade fans when I say that I eagerly yearn for the day when this becomes reality. Anyone who is not swayed needs to listen to "A Lesson In Romantics" and then tell me this argument is not well-founded. I know it's not always as simple as that, but sometimes it needs to be. Thanks for tuning in everyone. Next up is Relient K. Rock on.