Mayday Parade - Anywhere but Here

[Jeremy Aaron]

Mayday Parade - Anywhere but Here
Record Label: Atlantic
Release Date: October 6, 2009

When Mayday Parade's self-released EP (which would later be picked up by Fearless) dropped in 2006, it seemed even then that bigger things lay ahead for the band. Besides the Fever You Can't Sweat Out-flavored "When I Get Home You're So Dead," which would get a bit of a makeover for their full-length bow A Lesson in Romantics, the songs weren't quite there yet, and a few tended to drag on a bit ("Three Cheers for Five Years" approached the six-minute mark), but they had that sound, just the right blend of pop sensibility and rock crunch, that suggested inevitable future success.

It hasn't exactly been a meteoric rise, but with sales of Romantics surpassing 130,000 units, Mayday Parade earned a major label billing for its follow-up Anywhere but Here, as well as a pairing with hitmaking producer David Bendeth. The resulting album retains a little of the sunny pop-punk of their previous releases-- album opener "Kids in Love," which is very much in an All-American Rejects vein, is a good example-- but mostly goes in a darker pop-rock direction, reminiscent of Sugarcult's Palm Trees and Power Lines. It's generally likable and probably has a better shot at catching on with rock audiences without losing the pop element, though established fans might be a little disappointed that there's nothing as immediately snappy as "When I Get Home You're So Dead" or "Jamie All Over."

As fans are undoubtedly already aware, Anywhere but Here is the first Mayday Parade recording to feature Derek Sanders as the primary lead vocalist, stepping in for the departed Jason Lancaster (now with Go Radio). Sanders proves himself a capable vocalist, and though he's considerably less earnest-sounding and more nondescript than Lancaster, he's a good fit for the band's current sound. Lyrically, his songs deal with the typical relationship issues, but largely avoid overly melodramatic and cringe-inducing moments.

Nostalgia is an ever-present pop-punk theme, and Mayday Parade revisit it on "Kids in Love," before diving into the also ubiquitous subject, heartbreak. On "Anywhere but Here," Sanders is filling the void of a crumbling relationship with another lover, and just trying to take it one step at a time on "Still Breathing." On the single "The Silence," the focus turns to a female protagonist who's been left cold and lonely in the wake of an apparent breakup.

"Bruised and Scarred" is a bit of a low point, as it's pretty run-of-the-mill both lyrically ("Bruised and scarred, save me from this broken heart") and musically, but it sets up for the strong duo of "If You Can't Live Without Me, Why Aren't You Dead Yet" and "Save Your Heart." The former is propelled by a driving rhythm and bright harmonies, while the latter is a very radio-ready power ballad. If Atlantic were to ship "Save Your Heart" to Top 40 radio, I think it could spark a breakthrough for the band. It has all the makings of a major hit, with a huge rise of a chorus and lyrics that seem poised to make every teenage girl who's repeatedly getting hurt-- and let's face it, that's a large portion of the band's fanbase anyway-- claim it as "my song."

As is perhaps expected with albums of this type, some of the songs are going to bleed together, and it happens here with "Get Up" and "Center of Attention," which are mid-tempo pop songs without much of a hook or anything interesting musically to set them apart. However, "I Swear This Time I Mean It" follows, and as an acoustic-led lullaby ballad, it definitely distinguishes itself from the rest of the songs on the set. It probably would have served best as the closer, as the actual final track "The End" is another fairly flat pop-rock number.

With album number two, Mayday Parade, in the aftermath of a major lineup change, have given themselves something of a new identity, and for the most part, they wear it well. Anywhere but Here isn't anything groundbreaking, but it's mostly enjoyable and definitely has its bright spots that, with the right promotion, could launch them into the limelight. Mayday Parade always had the instincts necessary for stardom, and this record pushes them further in that direction.

Sugarcult's Palm Trees and Power Lines
Sound the Alarm's Stay Inside
The All-American Rejects' The All-American Rejects
Bedlight for Blue Eyes' Life on Life's Terms
Eve 6's Horrorscope

1. Kids in Love (3:36)
2. Anywhere but Here (3:10)
3. The Silence (3:35)
4. Still Breathing (3:52)
5. Bruised and Scarred (3:23)
6. If You Can't Live Without Me, Why Aren't You Dead Yet (3:38)
7. Save Your Heart (3:42)
8. Get Up (3:01)
9. Center of Attention (2:59)
10. I Swear This Time I Mean It (4:01)
11. The End (3:37)

[blinkboxcar44]

i would agree. i liked it, but wasn't as good compared with a lesson in romantics. i missed hearing jason's voice.

[deezee]

77 percent? I'm sorry but I strongly disagree! I think this album is just...awful.

Anyway nice review!

[ohh lee]

As a huge fan of the last record, this one is proving pretty difficult for me to get into. After reading this review though, I might try one more time. Sometimes it just takes couple tries.

[ndoleman]

I started really liking this album alot recently after not being as into it at the beggining.

[cwhit412]

The voice just does not belong with the music.

I don't know. It just feels like this isn't a pop-punk voice.

[Lirr168]

What about this album made you put Eve 6's Horrorscope as a RIYL? Horroscope is one of my all time favorite albums, so any similarity to that would really make me want to check this out.

[keka0601]

not a fan of their new cd.... where is the passion?? there is hardley any ground breaking guitar solos. the cd sounds too familiar and poppy. there is no "umpf" like I'd Hate To Be You When People Find Out What This Song Is About.

[IamTheINDUSTRY]

whoooooa. wayyy to high on the score.

[punkDbass]

its a good cd but i think the lyrics are significantly worse than their last album, and a lot of the songs just feel sort of.. empty.

Im really digging the new guitar players work though

[anamericangod]

This is scored unbelievably high. Review was alright, and the RIYL's were fairly off base. All of those albums are miles beyond what this release is. I don't even see a comparison.

[deezee]

not a fan of their new cd.... where is the passion?? there is hardley any ground breaking guitar solos. the cd sounds too familiar and poppy. there is no "umpf" like I'd Hate To Be You When People Find Out What This Song Is About.
Yeah I think the album is lifeless...the sound is just tired. I wish they would have just tried something new. They could have wrote a creative pop rock album. I just wish in the pre production stages bands would be like; let's avoid cliches on this album!! No talking about some girl or getting out of this town... It's been done to death! They need to become self-aware...

Try new things!! I'm not saying turn into Brand New but come on!!!

[xapplexpiex]

I'm actually a fan of their previous album. But I just heard some of the MySpace songs and I don't like what I hear.

[xapplexpiex]

BTW, I do think the album art is pretty cool...

[showstopper]

I enjoyed the album,not ground breaking but overall a catchy album.Also Derek's voice is nice and the last track is my favourite.

[symbiote28]

the only thing Myaday could have done to improve on this was to have a couple more ballad acoustic songs.

[zachff]

Mayday Parade's EP rates as one of my top 20 favorite CDs. The songs were long, the production was "sounds like we are recording under water," but I loved and still love that CD.

[MorningStar10]

'Anywhere but Here' sums up this whole album, a generic, overused phrase as an album title for a generic and tired genre. This song has one or two decent tracks but the most part it becomes undistinguishable when one song ends and another begins. Poor album.

[zachff]

I think that their EP should be rated around an 89%, their first full length an 83-85%, and this around 70% -- trying to be as objective as possible.

[stereokiller]

This is scored unbelievably high. Review was alright, and the RIYL's were fairly off base. All of those albums are miles beyond what this release is. I don't even see a comparison.
this.

[Gregory Robson]

I think a 77 is generous, especially if many of the tracks bleed together, but maybe I'm just being snarky. That being said nice review man. Really, really nice.

[Blake Solomon]

the only song i ever liked from this band was that "Three Cheers" song done acoustic for some compilation. I tried this and it put me to sleep.

[krishasaheadake]

As fans are undoubtedly already aware, Anywhere but Here is the first Mayday Parade recording to feature new lead vocalist Derek Sanders, stepping in for the departed Jason Lancaster (now with Go Radio)

actually Derek has been in the band since their first e.p. Although Derek is taking the lead 100% this time around, he has been equally apart of the band vocally as Jason was.

[AdmissionRegret]

I've always considered this band to be undecidedly average prior to listening to Anywhere But Here, but this album has undeniably won me over. I never saw the appeal in Lancaster's voice and Go Radio is mediocre at best. The melodies are stronger, the hooks are greater and overall it's a much more consistent album than A Lesson In Romantics. "Get Up" or "Save Your Heart" both have the potential to be HUGE singles.

[Sal]

I'm not a fan of the solos in the CD...they sound out of place.

[Jeremy Aaron]

What about this album made you put Eve 6's Horrorscope as a RIYL? Horroscope is one of my all time favorite albums, so any similarity to that would really make me want to check this out.
It has the trappings of pop-punk but with a definite alt-rock edge. They're not identical albums by any means, but I kind of go with feel on the RIYLs rather than overthinking it, so stuff that just pops into my head while I'm listening usually makes the list.

[anamericangod]

What about this album made you put Eve 6's Horrorscope as a RIYL? Horroscope is one of my all time favorite albums, so any similarity to that would really make me want to check this out.
Don't waste your time. Horrorscope is a great album, this album is fucking atrocious. It has nothing in common with Horrorscope.

[sargentlgfuad]

holy hell. either it's just me or I should listen to this again... but when I first listened to it, I absolutely hated everything about it. no emotion and nothing for me to be like, "oh, that was cool" or "i like this".
i literately was thinking low 40% initially, but then i was like THAT would be too generous.

[LastDeclaration]

Do any of the reviewers on this site even make an attempt at revision or editing before they post their reviews? Maybe I'm just being a grammar douche, but I find the wealth of errors in every single review pretty obnoxious. And they should be embarrassing to the author, as well.

[Deejford]

I'm not a fan of the solos in the CD...they sound out of place.


this.
Also, I feel as if the band lost everything that made them unique. After hearing the earlier released songs on their Myspace I knew it would be dissapointing. I was tricked into thinking the album was not so bad for about 1 and half minutes of "If You Can't Live..." and then the solo ruined it.
Every song is like a pop intro, some girls name and then love and breakups.
I couldn't even remember how the hook of the previous song went when I was on the next one.

[Jeremy Aaron]

Do any of the reviewers on this site even make an attempt at revision or editing before they post their reviews? Maybe I'm just being a grammar douche, but I find the wealth of errors in every single review pretty obnoxious. And they should be embarrassing to the author, as well.
Please elaborate.

[SomedayTheFire]

This is one fucking awful album. Good review though, props to Jeremy.

[Spenny]

Nice review and I agree completely with the score.

People that say it's too high that are Mayday Parade fans clearly haven't given it a chance because they miss Jason and already have it in their mind this is going to be worse. It's really a good album.

PS. Kinda funny how people act like Jason is what made this band, yet he leaves and starts to make awful music with a new band, while Mayday Parade releases a solid follow-up to A Lesson in Romantics and debuts at 31 on the Billboard charts.

[SomedayTheFire]

Nice review and I agree completely with the score.

People that say it's too high that are Mayday Parade fans clearly haven't given it a chance because they miss Jason and already have it in their mind this is going to be worse. It's really a good album.

PS. Kinda funny how people act like Jason is what made this band, yet he leaves and starts to make awful music with a new band, while Mayday Parade releases a solid follow-up to A Lesson in Romantics and debuts at 31 on the Billboard charts.
Wrong. I've listened at least ten times. It is fucking awful. Also Go Radio is better than this bullshit.

[HelloxAlone]

77 percent? I'm sorry but I strongly disagree! I think this album is just...awful.

Anyway nice review!

Someone agrees.. I thought this album was terrible!

[boere123]

Yeah I think the album is lifeless...the sound is just tired. I wish they would have just tried something new. They could have wrote a creative pop rock album. I just wish in the pre production stages bands would be like; let's avoid cliches on this album!! No talking about some girl or getting out of this town... It's been done to death! They need to become self-aware...

Try new things!! I'm not saying turn into Brand New but come on!!!
This

[Sal]

Nice review and I agree completely with the score.

People that say it's too high that are Mayday Parade fans clearly haven't given it a chance because they miss Jason and already have it in their mind this is going to be worse. It's really a good album.

PS. Kinda funny how people act like Jason is what made this band, yet he leaves and starts to make awful music with a new band, while Mayday Parade releases a solid follow-up to A Lesson in Romantics and debuts at 31 on the Billboard charts.
Go Radio is far from awful.

Jason did make Mayday Parade what it is. If you listen Jason's old band, you can see that he created the Mayday sound, and now the rest of the guys are trying to replicate it.

[Spenny]

Wrong. I've listened at least ten times. It is fucking awful. Also Go Radio is better than this bullshit.
Let's be honest, everything Go Radio has released so far has been god awful. Anywhere But Here is miles better than what that band has been releasing. But I'll reconsider once they put out a full-length, since Welcome to Life sucked ass.

[Drew Beringer]

I actually really like this album as well, it's obviously nothing special or new, but I dig it about as much as I dig the new All Time Low album. It's good for when I need some pop rock I guess. Nice review Jeremy.

[SomedayTheFire]

Let's be honest, everything Go Radio has released so far has been god awful. Anywhere But Here is miles better than what that band has been releasing. But I'll reconsider once they put out a full-length, since Welcome to Life sucked ass.
I disagree. Welcome to Life, the song, is better than anything on this album bar If You Can't Live Without Me

[Gregory Robson]

Don't waste your time. Horrorscope is a great album, this album is fucking atrocious. It has nothing in common with Horrorscope.
I agree wholeheartedly.

[Jeremy Aaron]

I'm really surprised by a lot of these comments. This isn't the greatest album, but it's far better than the whole neon scene stuff. I think they were trying to distance themselves a little from their earlier sound, going in a darker, heavier direction, and that sort of thing is up Bendeth's alley, so it was a pretty good match. People hoping for another Romantics should have known better. This is a new band now, and they clearly aspire to be something other than just another All Time Low type act. Taking this for what it is, it ain't bad.

[Jeremy Aaron]

I actually really like this album as well, it's obviously nothing special or new, but I dig it about as much as I dig the new All Time Low album. It's good for when I need some pop rock I guess. Nice review Jeremy.
Sometimes after I write something and then read a bunch of negative comments, I wonder if I just got it totally wrong. I feel a little bit relieved that someone with some credibility feels similarly. Thanks!

[SomedayTheFire]

Go Radio is far from awful.

Jason did make Mayday Parade what it is. If you listen Jason's old band, you can see that he created the Mayday sound, and now the rest of the guys are trying to replicate it.
I could not say this enough.

Edit: The new Go Radio songs are awesome.

[Drew Beringer]

I'm really surprised by a lot of these comments. This isn't the greatest album, but it's far better than the whole neon scene stuff. I think they were trying to distance themselves a little from their earlier sound, going in a darker, heavier direction, and that sort of thing is up Bendeth's alley, so it was a pretty good match. People hoping for another Romantics should have known better. This is a new band now, and they clearly aspire to be something other than just another All Time Low type act. Taking this for what it is, it ain't bad.
Yeah I love Bendeth's production, he is def top 5 favorite producers for me, always does a superb job.

[RuslanFedotenko]

this album stinks. i had medium hopes for it but it's too powerpoppy

[BruisedxBroken]

Wow, horrorscope? Really?? Tisk, tisk...

[Gregory Robson]

Yeah I love Bendeth's production, he is def top 5 favorite producers for me, always does a superb job.
I feel the opposite way. The only band I enjoyed that he worked with was Dropping Daylight. But I guess that's probably pretty predictable for me.

[briXinRhands]

Please elaborate.
You left the K out of breakthrough, other than that I don't know what he's talking about. Anyway good review, it's getting a lot of hate because it's pretty generic, but like you said, it's much better than the neon pop stuff we are seeing.

[Croggs]

I am one of the people that don't hate mayday now, and I think 77 might be a bit high. Nonetheless, good review. I am not sure about the RIYL section, though.

[Rysker6]

Dereks voice was the lead on all of ALIR was it not? Given he and Jason would trade verses but Derek sang all the choruses but he sang the majority on ALIR, the only thing missing is Jasons raspy voice which I did like.

[zubinmoosa]

Great review. This album gets way too much flack

[narca9]

Way too high.

[viot]

ahaha this album sucks:S

where is jason´s voice????......:S,it was the best of mayday parade

[HometownHero]

The bands in the RIYL would hate you for this seeing as they are a million times better, especially then this release

[Max_123]

i agree with everything you said
people are immediately writing this album off because it doesn't have Jason, but it's really not bad, i wouldn't say as good as A Lesson in Romantics but it's still good

[sweepthenation]

Way too high a score, the 50s would be more accurate

[Jeremy Aaron]

The bands in the RIYL would hate you for this seeing as they are a million times better, especially then this release
While they're okay, I wouldn't say the Sound the Alarm and Bedlight for Blue Eyes albums are a million times better than anything. People are talking up the RIYL selections like they're some all-time classics or something. They're not.

And while it was fun at times, A Lesson in Romantics was hardly an earth-shattering release, as many seem to imply.

[HometownHero]

While they're okay, I wouldn't say the Sound the Alarm and Bedlight for Blue Eyes albums are a million times better than anything. People are talking up the RIYL selections like they're some all-time classics or something. They're not.

And while it was fun at times, A Lesson in Romantics was hardly an earth-shattering release, as many seem to imply.
That's not what I was implying. This release is just bland and bad. The ones you compared it to are at least enjoyable. And A Lesson In Romantics had emotion and staying power. This one will be forgotten by the end of the month by everyone except scene girls

[Clark]

Saw this band live. Terrible. Heard their recorded material was really good. It was not. I was lied to.

[XLT917]

I'm really enjoying this album, and love the two bonus tracks.

[katyara]

I was such a fan of the last album that I really wish this would be better. Probably the biggest disappointment of the year.

[bobby runs]

If those RIYL are somewhat true I might check this album out.

[Sic Transit Zeb]

No way this deserves a 77. This album sucks. Ge-neric.

[Chris Fallon]

Do any of the reviewers on this site even make an attempt at revision or editing before they post their reviews? Maybe I'm just being a grammar douche, but I find the wealth of errors in every single review pretty obnoxious. And they should be embarrassing to the author, as well.
I don't see anything wrong with any review we ever post. Jeremy is probably one of the most meticulous authors here, so maybe you're seeing something no one else is. I find we're all pretty decent writers who revise over and over.

[Jeremy Aaron]

If those RIYL are somewhat true I might check this album out.
No one else seems to think they're accurate, so probably don't bother. All the complainers fail to offer any suggestions. Those records crossed my mind when I listened to this, and that's pretty much it. Those aghast at my choice of Horrorscope might be right in the sense that there's nothing here as hooky as "Promise" or "On the Roof Again," but I just get a similar vibe.

[manosteel2]

Saw this band live. Terrible. Heard their recorded material was really good. It was not. I was lied to.
You probably weren't lied to. In that person's opinion (which I share) their recorded material is really good. The people on this site don't seem to have a grasp of the whole opinion thing. You either agree with them or you're a p.o.s.

[poppunknerd182]

I'm really surprised by a lot of these comments. This isn't the greatest album, but it's far better than the whole neon scene stuff. I think they were trying to distance themselves a little from their earlier sound, going in a darker, heavier direction, and that sort of thing is up Bendeth's alley, so it was a pretty good match. People hoping for another Romantics should have known better. This is a new band now, and they clearly aspire to be something other than just another All Time Low type act. Taking this for what it is, it ain't bad.
I agree with this wording.

It's not terrible, but nothing amazing.

[Jeremy Aaron]

I don't see anything wrong with any review we ever post. Jeremy is probably one of the most meticulous authors here, so maybe you're seeing something no one else is. I find we're all pretty decent writers who revise over and over.
I don't think people realize how hard self-editing can be. Even when proofreading something I wrote that contains an error, I find myself "seeing" what I think I wrote, rather than what's actually there. Since you don't have that knowledge when reading something someone else wrote, it's a lot easier to pick up mistakes. With regard to this user's comment, I was accused of comma splicing in another review, but it was a bogus claim. In an attempt to avoid short, choppy sentences, I try to combine several ideas between each period. The convoluted sentences that sometimes result might be seen as grammatically incorrect, but I'm pretty sure they're structurally sound. If they're not, I don't mind someone saying so, but a comment claiming to see "a wealth of errors" without pointing out a single one is irritating.

[CarouselBoy]

hmmm well I'm not much of a fan of their previous material but I got a couple friends that really like this. That and the RIYL, I'll probably have to check this out

[Gregory Robson]

No one else seems to think they're accurate, so probably don't bother. All the complainers fail to offer any suggestions. Those records crossed my mind when I listened to this, and that's pretty much it. Those aghast at my choice of Horrorscope might be right in the sense that there's nothing here as hooky as "Promise" or "On the Roof Again," but I just get a similar vibe.
Fair enough. I can lend credence to that. I'm still not sold on the disc. This sounds horribly too generic for me. And almost as if they're trying too hard to differentiate themselves. Not sure if it works. Your thoughts, Jeremy?

[You Won't Know]

Sugarcult's Palm Trees and Power Lines
Sound the Alarm's Stay Inside
The All-American Rejects' The All-American Rejects
Bedlight for Blue Eyes' Life on Life's Terms
Eve 6's Horrorscope

Some of these records aren't bad - but none are so amazing that anyone should be super upset. I guess AAR holds a special place for some people - me not so much.

I really like Eve6, they were a cool band when I was younger, I have all their albums. But still man - it's Eve6! Since when are they "legendary" status like other people seem to be insinuating? LOL. I'm sorry, they are fine, but Horrorscope wasn't even that great of a CD - I felt like it was overproduced and a big step down from their self-titled.

I haven't listened to this record very much, but the review was well-written.

[Chris Fallon]

I don't think people realize how hard self-editing can be. Even when proofreading something I wrote that contains an error, I find myself "seeing" what I think I wrote, rather than what's actually there. Since you don't have that knowledge when reading something someone else wrote, it's a lot easier to pick up mistakes. With regard to this user's comment, I was accused of comma splicing in another review, but it was a bogus claim. In an attempt to avoid short, choppy sentences, I try to combine several ideas between each period. The convoluted sentences that sometimes result might be seen as grammatically incorrect, but I'm pretty sure they're structurally sound. If they're not, I don't mind someone saying so, but a comment claiming to see "a wealth of errors" without pointing out a single one is irritating.
I agree. I always notice the best way for me to notice my own errors is to proofread a day after I write something. That way, it isn't as fresh on my mind. Either way, I rarely see our reviewers make mistakes, and since people hardly ever correct us by pointing out specifics, I figure it's all in the eye of the reader... who may or may not even see what he thinks he sees.

[johnrick7]

dull and generic. there is no more meaning. i can't feel anything. it's empty. jason was this band.

[Jeremy Aaron]

Fair enough. I can lend credence to that. I'm still not sold on the disc. This sounds horribly too generic for me. And almost as if they're trying too hard to differentiate themselves. Not sure if it works. Your thoughts, Jeremy?
I don't think this is a fantastic album. I'm not trying to sell it, but merely give an honest evaluation. There have been cries throughout the comments of how "generic" this disc is, but no one's responded to my request to tell me what this album sounds like to them. To me, it hearkens back to late-'90s and early-'00s alternative radio, when slightly edgy powerpop was still "in" and before macho posturing took over the airwaves completely. It's still nothing entirely unique, but I think it's far less generic, at the current time, than, say, their last album, which was admittedly fun for a while, but very easily pigeonholed into a style and era. I've heard some truly awful music this year, and for me, this doesn't qualify.

[Gregory Robson]

I don't think this is a fantastic album. I'm not trying to sell it, but merely give an honest evaluation. There have been cries throughout the comments of how "generic" this disc is, but no one's responded to my request to tell me what this album sounds like to them. To me, it hearkens back to late-'90s and early-'00s alternative radio, when slightly edgy powerpop was still "in" and before macho posturing took over the airwaves completely. It's still nothing entirely unique, but I think it's far less generic, at the current time, than, say, their last album, which was admittedly fun for a while, but very easily pigeonholed into a style and era. I've heard some truly awful music this year, and for me, this doesn't qualify.
I respect your musical palate more than most people, so I am going to see if I can give this time to sink in. Thanks for taking time to spell out your thesis. I do appreciate it man.

[splitsecond]

boring album is boring

[TriangularDuck]

I decided to look for comma splices after reading this.

Besides the Fever You Can't Sweat Out-flavored "When I Get Home You're So Dead," which would get a bit of a makeover for their full-length bow A Lesson in Romantics, the songs weren't quite there yet, and a few tended to drag on a bit ("Three Cheers for Five Years" approached the six-minute mark), but they had that sound, just the right blend of pop sensibility and rock crunch, that suggested inevitable future success.

See it? "just the right blend of pop sensibility and rock crunch, that suggested inevitable future success."

not quite a splice, but still a comma error. that comma combined with "that" kinda messes you up, placing it there changes the interpretation of the sentence and is grammatically incorrect. it would be corrected like this: "just the right blend of pop sensibility and rock crunch which suggested inevitable future success." You could even leave "that" there if you got rid of the comma, whichever you prefer. there is also a tense shift at the start of the sentence.

"would get a bit of a makeover" - future tense
"weren't quite there yet" - past tense
"tended to drag on" - past tense
"they had that sound" - past tense
"suggested future success" - past tense

replacing "would get" with "received" would fix that error.

this leaves our sentence at

Besides the Fever You Can't Sweat Out-flavored "When I Get Home You're So Dead," which received a bit of a makeover for their full-length bow A Lesson in Romantics, the songs weren't quite there yet, and a few tended to drag on a bit ("Three Cheers for Five Years" approached the six-minute mark), but they had that sound, just the right blend of pop sensibility and rock crunch which suggested inevitable future success.

it's still a daunting sentence but is still easier to work with. ((edit)) I'd also slash the part about "three cheers" hitting six minutes. you don't name the EP, why would you name a song?

All in all though, I like the review. It's not a grammatical nightmare by any means. I was reading a review on Review, Rinse, Repeat that actually hurt my head reading it. This one right here for Adelphia. (http://www.reviewrinserepeat.com/2009/06/07/a-skylit-drive-adelphia-review/)

The movement between the vocalists, harmonies of the instruments, clarification of the tempo with the drum work, breaks and fills of guitar work, mastery levels of what is more present at certain times, all of which are balanced incredibly well.

that sentence right there. it hurts me on the inside.

[tyramail]

eh, it's a pretty good review, although i may have given it a 70-75. it is growing on me, but it is really nowhere near a lesson in romantics and i had much higher expectations for derek. i do think his voice fits this new direction though.

[Lirr168]

Don't waste your time. Horrorscope is a great album, this album is fucking atrocious. It has nothing in common with Horrorscope.

I gave it a quick listen and I'm definitely not hearing any similarity. The only song I got into at all was "Kids in Love." On the plus side, I'm two tracks into Horrorscope now; it's still as enjoyable as the day I bought it.

[Jeremy Aaron]

I decided to look for comma splices after reading this.



See it? "just the right blend of pop sensibility and rock crunch, that suggested inevitable future success."

not quite a splice, but still a comma error. that comma combined with "that" kinda messes you up, placing it there changes the interpretation of the sentence and is grammatically incorrect. it would be corrected like this: "just the right blend of pop sensibility and rock crunch which suggested inevitable future success." You could even leave "that" there if you got rid of the comma, whichever you prefer. there is also a tense shift at the start of the sentence.

"would get a bit of a makeover" - future tense
"weren't quite there yet" - past tense
"tended to drag on" - past tense
"they had that sound" - past tense
"suggested future success" - past tense

replacing "would get" with "received" would fix that error.

this leaves our sentence at



it's still a daunting sentence but is still easier to work with. ((edit)) I'd also slash the part about "three cheers" hitting six minutes. you don't name the EP, why would you name a song?

All in all though, I like the review. It's not a grammatical nightmare by any means. I was reading a review on Review, Rinse, Repeat that actually hurt my head reading it. This one right here for Adelphia. (http://www.reviewrinserepeat.com/2009/06/07/a-skylit-drive-adelphia-review/)



that sentence right there. it hurts me on the inside.
I need to comment on this.

The use of commas in the first part is simply to set off an appositive. "Just the right blend of pop sensibility and rock crunch" is simply a modifier for "that sound." It can be removed from the sentence without disrupting its meaning, so it's set off by commas. The antecedent for the pronoun "that" is "sound," which is why the appositive phrase needs to be set off by commas. By the way, as you have the sentence, the use of "which" requires the comma.

Secondly, "would" is not future tense. It simply implies that an event happened in the future compared to some past event, but it's still in the past. "When he was just a State Senator from Illinois, no one would have guessed that Barack Obama would go on to become President of the United States." "Will go" doesn't make any sense because he already is President. "Went on" doesn't make sense because the event is not in the past to the people doing the guessing. In that sentence in the review, I was speaking from the point of view of just having heard Tales Told by Dead Friends, so "When I Get Home, You're So Dead" hadn't been redone for the full-length yet. It's in the past now, but in the future with respect to some reference point.

[Mattylikesfilms]

without jason, this band SUCKS. this album is lame.

[Jeremy Aaron]

boring album is boring
Can anyone tell me the origin of this meme? I've been seeing a lot of posts like "shitty album is shitty," and "epic thread is epic," and I have no idea where it came from.

[Mattylikesfilms]

so i just checked your review on PTM's the satanic satanist and it got only 6% higher than this album. That leaves me speechless. In a very bad way.

[Jeremy Aaron]

so i just checked your review on PTM's the satanic satanist and it got only 6% higher than this album. That leaves me speechless. In a very bad way.
Some reviewers (Blake for one) would tell you not to read too much into the numbers and just read the review. I can't claim that my ratings don't mean anything, though, because I actually set all the individual categories so the final score comes out to a number I intend. In retrospect, the Portugal record probably deserved a higher score. I certainly like it quite a lot more than this album. I don't know why a rated it like I did, but I think each review and rating is a reflection of where I was with the album when I wrote it, and I'm not sure it's right to go back and change it. In truth, Satanist will probably end up in my top 20 albums of 2009, and I doubt this is in my top 100. I still kind of dig it though.

[TriangularDuck]

I need to comment on this.

The use of commas in the first part is simply to set off an appositive. "Just the right blend of pop sensibility and rock crunch" is simply a modifier for "that sound." It can be removed from the sentence without disrupting its meaning, so it's set off by commas. The antecedent for the pronoun "that" is "sound," which is why the appositive phrase needs to be set off by commas. By the way, as you have the sentence, the use of "which" requires the comma.

Secondly, "would" is not future tense. It simply implies that an event happened in the future compared to some past event, but it's still in the past. "When he was just a State Senator from Illinois, no one would have guessed that Barack Obama would go on to become President of the United States." "Will go" doesn't make any sense because he already is President. "Went on" doesn't make sense because the event is not in the past to the people doing the guessing. In that sentence in the review, I was speaking from the point of view of just having heard Tales Told by Dead Friends, so "When I Get Home, You're So Dead" hadn't been redone for the full-length yet. It's in the past now, but in the future with respect to some reference point.

and, this is a prime example of why people normally don't edit their own work. someone else usually does it. you can say about "speaking from the point of view of just having heard (the EP.)" cool. you wrote that, you know that. an objective reader doesn't know that. same with your appositive. you put the commas there to set off an appositive. however, you are still completely unaware of the other way the comma could be interpreted, even though I clearly explained what it could mean from another's point of view.

[njsuccessstory]

I definitely did not like this album. I was not expecting anything like A Lesson in Romantics but this was extremely disappointing for what it is. I found the lyrics to be extremely cheesy and cringe-worthy. I just saw them live at the AP Tour last night (I was there for SYG) and I was utterly shocked when they turned "Miserable at Best" into a power ballad. It is sad to see a band who once had potential fall this far.

[Mattylikesfilms]

Some reviewers (Blake for one) would tell you not to read too much into the numbers and just read the review. I can't claim that my ratings don't mean anything, though, because I actually set all the individual categories so the final score comes out to a number I intend. In retrospect, the Portugal record probably deserved a higher score. I certainly like it quite a lot more than this album. I don't know why a rated it like I did, but I think each review and rating is a reflection of where I was with the album when I wrote it, and I'm not sure it's right to go back and change it. In truth, Satanist will probably end up in my top 20 albums of 2009, and I doubt this is in my top 100. I still kind of dig it though.

legit awnser, i can respect that. I think that album is the band's best to date and will def. be in my top 10 of the year.

i think this record should be rated in the low 60's but thats just me.

[Jeremy Aaron]

and, this is a prime example of why people normally don't edit their own work. someone else usually does it. you can say about "speaking from the point of view of just having heard (the EP.)" cool. you wrote that, you know that. an objective reader doesn't know that. same with your appositive. you put the commas there to set off an appositive. however, you are still completely unaware of the other way the comma could be interpreted, even though I clearly explained what it could mean from another's point of view.
Sorry, but this doesn't make any sense to me. I wrote it as I intended it to be understood and interpreted. You were looking for grammatical errors, found one where one really doesn't exist, and then interpreted that way. If you read the sentence I wrote, you would have interpreted it correctly.

[TriangularDuck]

I don't think people realize how hard self-editing can be. Even when proofreading something I wrote that contains an error, I find myself "seeing" what I think I wrote, rather than what's actually there. Since you don't have that knowledge when reading something someone else wrote, it's a lot easier to pick up mistakes.

Sorry, but this doesn't make any sense to me. I wrote it as I intended it to be understood and interpreted. You were looking for grammatical errors, found one where one really doesn't exist, and then interpreted that way. If you read the sentence I wrote, you would have interpreted it correctly.

Self-editing is tough. You see the sentence that way, you swear it's correct. I know how that it. When I send pieces off to my editor, I know shit is going to be changed, even though I feel that I had it right. He'll make changes I don't like. I just deal with it. To hammer on the first change with the appositive - the appositive there is absolutely necessary for the sentence. You go on talking about negative things, but then go onto saying that "the sound" shows future success. Up until then, "the sound" would have consisted of almost-there and over-long songwriting. The appositive is absolutely necessary for the sentence, so commas are not necessary. In this case, they make the sentence even harder to understand, because you were naming items in a series (traits of Mayday Parade) beforehand. Continuing the series as "the sound" and "the blend" makes sense from an outside perspective. In such a series of items, "that suggested inevitable future success" is a fragment, and confounds the reader.

[Jeremy Aaron]

Self-editing is tough. You see the sentence that way, you swear it's correct. I know how that it. When I send pieces off to my editor, I know shit is going to be changed, even though I feel that I had it right. He'll make changes I don't like. I just deal with it. To hammer on the first change with the appositive - the appositive there is absolutely necessary for the sentence. You go on talking about negative things, but then go onto saying that "the sound" shows future success. Up until then, "the sound" would have consisted of almost-there and over-long songwriting. The appositive is absolutely necessary for the sentence, so commas are not necessary. In this case, they make the sentence even harder to understand, because you were naming items in a series (traits of Mayday Parade) beforehand. Continuing the series as "the sound" and "the blend" makes sense from an outside perspective. In such a series of items, "that suggested inevitable future success" is a fragment, and confounds the reader.
Okay, first off, I don't think song-length and songwriting pertain to "the sound" I was talking about. If I tell you a song is two minutes long or ten minutes long or an hour long, it doesn't mean anything about what it sounds like. Secondly, there are clearly no items in a series. The word "but" in the section "but they had that sound, just the right blend of pop sensibility and rock crunch, that suggested inevitable future success." is a coordinating conjunction, which is signaling the beginning of a new main clause. This can hardly be confused for items in a series.

Further, I don't doubt you're right. If I had an editor, some shit might have been changed. I really don't care. I don't have an editor, though. I take time out of my day to do this for free to incite conversation and because I believe in this website and the arena it provides for the community. I like it. It's fun. I offer opinions, and I don't really care that people disagree. I think it's a little funny that people call this album "generic" but sing the praises of their last album, but to each his own. However, this whole arguing over commas thing really takes a lot of fun out of this. I don't think my point was unclear at all, and I don't believe anyone else found it to be so either. So this shit is pointless.

[karadoll]

I really like the album. The cover is pretty cool, too.

[topher465]

Any band that sings the lyrics "girls make boys cry" is going to get put on my "do not listen to" list.

[NervousDestiny]

I think this is a good review. Yes, I definitely prefer old Mayday and I definitely like A Lesson In Romantics more than Anywhere But Here, but ABH was not half as bad as I thought it would be. And a 77% is like a C which is average which I think sounds about right.

And that is my two cents. :)

[lostfear]

I think this review is accurate...this site is full of music elitists that don't know the meaning of average. this album is average. not great. I'm so tired of everyone bashing a decent album. it's just not the amazing album everyone wants it to be.

[supersonic182]

I did enjoy the album, a lot, even though I loved the last album even more so.
I think there is something missing but I couldn't place my finger on it, and it wasn't
just Jason Lancaster's voice missing from the melodic compositions. I did enjoy it though.
I think the strongest tracks are the last two songs, and their singles. I don't see why
everyone's bashing it simply because it's not their forte, or because of the lyrisc on previous
albums. Sometimes cynism draws the line between obnoxious and critical.
Anyways, great review, I think it would fall into the C or B- range.

[jbaseball44]

Just as bad as their last album, although i don't get how the people who liked the first one hate this one.

[dani1292]

I thinkthe score's a bit high, but the review is great. I honestly cannot get into this album, no matter how hard I try.

[fanberlinboy]

not a fan of their new cd.... where is the passion?? there is hardley any ground breaking guitar solos. the cd sounds too familiar and poppy. there is no "umpf" like I'd Hate To Be You When People Find Out What This Song Is About.
Couldn't agree more. It all sounds so empty. The emotion on A Lesson In Romantics is almost completely gone. I Swear This Time I Mean It is the only song that has any resemblance of that. I wanted this to be good. I was hoping Jason Lancaster wasn't as integral to Mayday Parade as a lot of other people were thinking he was. I guess I was wrong...

[Lightsout911X]

Score is way too high. This album doesn't even come close to touching their last one.

[TriangularDuck]

Further, I don't doubt you're right. If I had an editor, some shit might have been changed. I really don't care. I don't have an editor, though. I take time out of my day to do this for free to incite conversation and because I believe in this website and the arena it provides for the community. I like it. It's fun. I offer opinions, and I don't really care that people disagree. I think it's a little funny that people call this album "generic" but sing the praises of their last album, but to each his own. However, this whole arguing over commas thing really takes a lot of fun out of this. I don't think my point was unclear at all, and I don't believe anyone else found it to be so either. So this shit is pointless.

That's cool bro, I was just pointing out some stuff because you said you got pissed off when the guy said you were comma splicing, but didn't point out where. I edit for free much like you do, I help other students out at my school because I think it's fun. I've also edited for a 20k Alexa ranked site in the past (shit now) because it's fun. Never mind the fact I got to go to fuckin' E3 too, that was just a bonus. :D I wasn't trying to put you down, keep on keeping on. Just lay it easy on the commas. Maybe throw his friend, the semicolon, in there when he fits. Commas work hard enough as it is.

[Blake Solomon]

god the lyrics on this are bad.

[njsuccessstory]

god the lyrics on this are bad.
This.

[tonyfan]

for sure.this album is not too bad ;-)

[LCT Music]

i would agree. i liked it, but wasn't as good compared with a lesson in romantics. i missed hearing jason's voice.
I agree, it's just not the same without jason's vocals..

[imusicismybf]

Try new things!! I'm not saying turn into Brand New but come on!!!

ROFL. Agreed.

[blinkme]

As fans are undoubtedly already aware, Anywhere but Here is the first Mayday Parade recording to feature new lead vocalist Derek Sanders, stepping in for the departed Jason Lancaster (now with Go Radio)

actually Derek has been in the band since their first e.p. Although Derek is taking the lead 100% this time around, he has been equally apart of the band vocally as Jason was.

so, basically what he said.

[imusicismybf]

Do any of the reviewers on this site even make an attempt at revision or editing before they post their reviews? Maybe I'm just being a grammar douche, but I find the wealth of errors in every single review pretty obnoxious. And they should be embarrassing to the author, as well.

If you were so concerned with grammar,then you really should have started that last sentence, "They should be embarrassing to the author, as well.", since unless absolutely necessary, you shouldn't start a sentence with a conjunction. BOOM!

[what_ever]

in before Bendeth shows up and picks a fight

[johnnylcd]

god the lyrics on this are bad.
saw that comin.

[denissuxx]

I was reading a review on Review, Rinse, Repeat that actually hurt my head reading it. This one right here for Adelphia. (http://www.reviewrinserepeat.com/2009/06/07/a-skylit-drive-adelphia-review/)

Thanks for raising this issue.

This review is too high in its rating. The album simply isn't good.

[Lozee Rose]

This score is way too high. Pretty generic rock album is you ask me

[David J Bendeth]

in before Bendeth shows up and picks a fight
who is picking any fights?
I like commas, and editing. I thought Jeremy did a great job. It was prolific, and detail oriented. I do not get the Lancaster thing much, but then again, when someone leaves a band, everyone just moves on. Everyone already did.
Looks like a lot of people here have not. I mean the guy has his own band now and is off to a different career. Why cry about spilled milk? A guy leaves a band every day.

When a band is on a major they have to have some radio records, that's how majors sell music. Mayday work very hard at what they do. They really are a great bunch of guys, and are very sensitive to their fans. There is also a huge respect for each other in that band, which I rarely see.

Sometimes you cannot go by rating numbers, you just have to lose the history, listen to some of the better songs, and then decide how much you hate it.
There is not a record I have listened to all the way through this year and loved every song. Did I miss something?

[LastDeclaration]

If you were so concerned with grammar,then you really should have started that last sentence, "They should be embarrassing to the author, as well.", since unless absolutely necessary, you shouldn't start a sentence with a conjunction. BOOM!

I was writing a post in a forum, not a professional review.

Edit: Oh, and about what you were actually critiquing, it's completely acceptable to start a sentence with a conjunction. It's at the writer's discretion, really.

[LastDeclaration]

I don't see anything wrong with any review we ever post. Jeremy is probably one of the most meticulous authors here, so maybe you're seeing something no one else is. I find we're all pretty decent writers who revise over and over.

I was exaggerating when I shouldn't have. There was nothing particularly glaring in this review, just a couple commas before ands and buts that shouldn't be there. Seeing them just reminded me of some other reviews/news posts (mainly Blake's) I've seen recently that had facepalm-worthy errors. I shouldn't have made that post on this review - Jeremy's writing does seem very meticulous, and I'm sure it's difficult to keep everything grammatically correct when you write in such a casual, almost conversational style, as most of the writers here do.

[cardhousedreame]

Very well written review.

[LastDeclaration]

Please elaborate.

I just read most of your other posts in this thread regarding this topoci (didn't feel like multi-quoting), and I apologize for posting that comment on your review. I saw two comma errors in the review, and they reminded me the much worse ones I've been seeing in others. I got fed-up and posted my complaint here, although you definitely aren't the one who deserves to be chastised. I can tell exactly what you're trying to say when when I hear the incorrect sentences in my head (you were absolutely right about how having an idea for a sentence in your head makes it more difficult to catch the errors). Really, after reading that Review, Rinse, Repeat review someone posted, I can't criticize any review on AP knowing that other sites post such complete shit. Haha.

Also, until today, I had no idea you guys write these for free. That really surprised me.

[wego2eleven]

Personally, I think this album is better as a whole than the new All Time Low and Boys Like Girls

[narca9]

who is picking any fights?
I like commas, and editing. I thought Jeremy did a great job. It was prolific, and detail oriented. I do not get the Lancaster thing much, but then again, when someone leaves a band, everyone just moves on. Everyone already did.
Looks like a lot of people here have not. I mean the guy has his own band now and is off to a different career. Why cry about spilled milk? A guy leaves a band every day.

When a band is on a major they have to have some radio records, that's how majors sell music. Mayday work very hard at what they do. They really are a great bunch of guys, and are very sensitive to their fans. There is also a huge respect for each other in that band, which I rarely see.

Sometimes you cannot go by rating numbers, you just have to lose the history, listen to some of the better songs, and then decide how much you hate it.
There is not a record I have listened to all the way through this year and loved every song. Did I miss something?
I'm pretty sure the only people who have moved on are you and Mayday Parade.

And I for one can guarantee this record would have opened higher if Lancaster was on it. I for one would have bought it, regardless of a review.

[xdaaaina]

pretty decent album! i liked it

[S9Dallasoz]

Noah?

[Jasper112]

this shits weak, only to be enjoyed by little 12-14 year old girls...

I felt like a total douchebag listening to this...i mean are they for real? Those lyrics, the cheeziness...give me a fucking break dudes...

This band should not be mentioned on absolutepunk.net, but definitely deserves a rightful place in COSMO GIRL magazine. Now get the fuck out! And if ur listening to this album and enjoying it...grow some fucking balls man!! for fuk sake.

[Chris92]

Yeah...insightful, informative review. However, I must disagree with the ratings, especially those for lyrics and creativity. Too high. I've generally enjoyed and agree with your reviews in the past (especially the one for the new .moneen. album. Fantastic work on that by the way, sums up my thoughts exactly!), but I must beg to differ on this album.

However, unlike the idiot above me, I don't think you should "grow some fucking balls man!! for fuk sake."

That is all.

[Chris92]

I think this review is accurate...this site is full of music elitists that don't know the meaning of average. this album is average. not great. I'm so tired of everyone bashing a decent album. it's just not the amazing album everyone wants it to be.
Beg to differ. I am anything but a 'music elitist.' I really liked All Time Low's newest album. However, this album is well below average. The music is fine (a little slow in general), but the lyrics are really bad, and the whole album just seems kind of bland. To each their own, though.

[Max_123]

the user reviews are way too low

[Max_123]

Personally, I think this album is better as a whole than the new All Time Low and Boys Like Girls
i'm going to have to agree with you on that
Nothing Personal gets way too high of praise as a whole, there's some good songs, but mostly bad ones, and the new BLG is just horrendous

[tipoftheiceberg]

god the lyrics on this are bad.
i think that is what Lancaster actually brought to the band. decent lyrics. i didn't care too much for his voice though

[Ryan Gardner]

Decent record, not terrible. TTBDF and ALIR are definetly better; I do enjoy this one though.

[Ecdrummer89]

I'm pretty sure the only people who have moved on are you and Mayday Parade.

And I for one can guarantee this record would have opened higher if Lancaster was on it. I for one would have bought it, regardless of a review.

I've moved on. So there goes your assumption.

Personally i enjoy the new album a lot. On first listen, i didn't think i would, but i keep listening. So for me, something is right about it. Good review, and good album.

[Gautz]

Admittedly their 1st album was better but I still think this one is a strong effort and am really enjoying it at the moment.

The member rating is waaaay too low... Just give the album a chance, it will grow on you.

Good review by the way.

[Deejford]

Is it just me or is the chorus to "Get Up" eerily similar to a Simple Plan song with those words as lyrics in it's chorus?

[oliviaemmer]

I really like this album, but it's nothing compared to A Lesson In Romantics. It's a letdown only because I expect more from Mayday Parade. If it was any other band I would probably like it a lot more.

[crimsonandclovr]

i've seen this band about 4 times, so obviously i'm a fan, but this album is really bad. i like maybe 2 songs - "the silence" and i can't even remember the other one.

[francescaa]

I just find this record really flat & boring. I've listened to it quite a few times and the only song I can really remember is Get Up, which I like a lot, Still Breathing & Save Your Heart. Aside from those three it's just a bit forgettable and throwaway. They obviously have a lot of potential and it's not a bad album at all, it just lacks spark.

[nemosk82]

http://www.myspace.com/mineallminemusic you like mayday parade listen to this

[nemosk82]

http://www.myspace.com/mineallminemusic

[danscotty]

this shits weak, only to be enjoyed by little 12-14 year old girls...

I felt like a total douchebag listening to this...i mean are they for real? Those lyrics, the cheeziness...give me a fucking break dudes...

This band should not be mentioned on absolutepunk.net, but definitely deserves a rightful place in COSMO GIRL magazine. Now get the fuck out! And if ur listening to this album and enjoying it...grow some fucking balls man!! for fuk sake.
lmao, yeah mayday, give this poor guy a break!

[dmr55]

with review. This album is no where near the level of Lesson, either lyrically or musically. Alex Garcia's talents as a guitarist are not highlighted and that is a big miss.

[dmr55]

this was supposed to say I basically agree with the review. AS a BIG fain of everything about the previous CD, I am a little disppointed to say the least.

[Drow Swordsman]

I LOVED A Lesson In Romantics, but this album just disappoints...I saw Mayday live after Jason left and they were fucking awesome, Derek is a very capable singer when doing all the Lesson in Romantics material. The songwriting and lyrics in this album is simply lack-luster and diminishes the aspects of Mayday that in my opinion made them the most "real" sounding Power Pop band out there, far defeating All Time Low in my opinion.

[rockonpub]

i would agree. i liked it, but wasn't as good compared with a lesson in romantics. i missed hearing jason's voice.
Jasons voice? Isn't it Jakes voice on the old recordings? Jason just does it live as Jake rocks out a bit too much.

Jake sings like ONE line in this CD :(

[lakemichigan]

just tried to listen the new record. they was like: "Saaaave your heaaaart" and I was like "wha.. whaa.. wha.. JUST SHUT UP!!!"
haha.
but really, not the best record. no jk at all.

[oliviaemmer]

overall, i like derek's voice much better than jason's. but the lyrics killed the album, even though i still enjoy it.

[Tdelonge88]

Personally i like "Anywhere But Here" so much more than " A Lesson In Romantics". And i can't believe people bag out Derek Sanders' voice. His voice is AWES and he deserves alot more credit than he receives. I see written all over the place how the band won't be the same with "Lancaster"? I don't subscribe to that theory at all. Songs like Kids In Love, The Silence, Get Up and I Swear This Time I Mean It are very good songs and Derek sounds great without Jason so get over it people.

[Amilleraz]

Maybe because I am not a loyal fan since there first album...I find this one to be pretty decent? Either way, you've inspired me to go out and get their first album

[stereokiller]

Personally i like "Anywhere But Here" so much more than " A Lesson In Romantics". And i can't believe people bag out Derek Sanders' voice. His voice is AWES and he deserves alot more credit than he receives. I see written all over the place how the band won't be the same with "Lancaster"? I don't subscribe to that theory at all. Songs like Kids In Love, The Silence, Get Up and I Swear This Time I Mean It are very good songs and Derek sounds great without Jason so get over it people.
Everyone already did since new Go Radio EP is out already.

[PapaBurgundy]

77%? I'm suprised at how much positive reaction this album has recieved. I honestly waited months for it to be released, and by the third play-through i realized what entirely untalented songwriters derek and jake are. Jason had written every lyric on their two previous releases, and this album stands an unfortunate testament to how big of a creative vacuum he created in the band when he left. It's relentlessly generic, bland, and unimaginative throughout. The saddest part about it, is that Mayday Parade established themselves as one of the few bright spots left in Pop Punk with "A Lesson in Romantics"; and this release definitely tarnished the reputation they had built off of that album

[Searos]

This was a good review. I like this album and I understand it was different. I loved a lesson in romantics and I do find it to be the better of the 2 albums but I would hardly call this album "awful" or "terrible" Derek Sanders puts on great live performances and his voice is fine. I think as far as pop punk goes it is not ground breaking or overly creative but it is a catchy album. Honestly to like pop punk music and call it terrible makes little sense. I know everyone likes Lesson in Romantics but just cause one is better then the other does not make this album disappointing.

Jason Lancaster is a good singer and works in another great band now but quit riding his d*ck people. If you don't like the album thats fine and this review touched on the good and the bad.

[bluechips]

Nice album :) but their self titled album is much better :)