Maine, The - ...And a Happy New Year EP

[Joe DeAndrea]

The Maine – ...And a Happy New Year
Record Label: Fearless Records
Release Date: December 9th, 2008

Christmas music is the only type that I can never get sick of; I seem to enjoy it regardless of who makes it. Yep, that's right - if a metal Jeffree Star cover band ever made a Christmas CD, I'd probably like it. With that said, when The Maine announced they'd be releasing a Christmas EP, I was quite intrigued. After hearing their "Ho Ho Hopefully" song last year, I wondered how it'd sound if they were take on some more yuletide tunes.

...And a Happy New Year kicks off with the re-done version of "Ho Ho Hopefully." Featuring Lights as background vocals, it adds a nice touch to the overall feel of the song. Although The Maine were never, and most likely never will be, known for good lyrics, I always found them pretty humorous, but not in a bad way; "Santa Stole My Girlfriend" is the best example of this. A mellow, stripped down, acoustic song with lyrics such "Santa, you bitch / Didn't get a damn thing on my Christmas list / All I got was a broken heart, and that's it" are sure to bring you a smile during the holiday season.

"Mr. Winter" shakes things up a bit, being the first full-band number on the EP. Musically, it reminds me of something off their first EP, The Way We Talk, a release I found more superior to their full-length. Final song, a cover of "Last Christmas," isn't neccessarily bad, but I would have liked to see The Maine try something different. It feels like everyone and their grandparents have covered that song.

Overall, if you like the band, there's no real reason to not like ...And a Happy New Year. If you're not a fan of The Maine but still like Christmas, chances are you'll find something enjoyable about this EP.

For those who just don't like Christmas music in general, you probably hate puppies and steal toys from babies, too.

Track Listing
01) Ho Ho Hopefully
02) Santa Stole My Girlfriend
03) Mr. Winter
04) Last Christmas

The Maine is:
John O'Callaghan - Vocals
Garrett Nickelsen - Bass
Pat Kirch - Drums
Kennedy Brock - Guitar
Jared Monaco - Guitar
Myspace (http://myspace.com/themaine) - AP Profile (http://absolutepunk.net/themaine) - Amazon (http://tinyurl.com/6pd3fd) - http://ax.phobos.apple.com.edgesuite.net/images/badgeitunes61x15dark.gif (http://tinyurl.com/5tcmw7)

[Matthew Tsai]

"A mellow, stripped down, acoustic song with lyrics such "Santa, you bitch / Didn't get a damn thing on my Christmas list / All I got was a broken heart, and that's it" are sure to bring you a smile during the holiday season."

haha good one, and a great review

[RelientMayday]

Haha. Great review. I enjoy Christmas music. I'd like to check this out

[Blake Solomon]

really want to hear this.

[WhoSaidThat?]

For those who just don't like Christmas music in general, you probably hate puppies and steal toys from babies, too. Or maybe I'm simply Jewish.

[Young Machetes]

I want this as well. I enjoy this band more and more, as long as I ignore their atrocious fan-base.

[Heart-A-Tact]

I'm not a huge fan of this band, but I won't pass up Christmas music.

[LongDistanceDrunk]

I have lost all faith in The Maine after the atrocity of their full length. The two EPs were alright but that album was awful. I still might check this out but I would rather have someone review it that can be more critical.

[newfoundmichael]

I'm not usually this vocal about my hate towards a band, but...fuck this band.

[Jason Tate]

This band is awful - they make Christmas music sound bad. I don't know how that's even possible.

[Drew Beringer]

A 73%? come on

[Joe DeAndrea]

A 73%? come on
Yeah I know, should be in the high 90s.

[WhoSaidThat?]

Yeah I know, should be in the high 90s.
Hahaha.

I think I'll buy Mr. Hankey's album.

[Ryzenfall]

It's either this or i finally get around to getting Sufjan's Christmas album. Or Sixpence's album. Or Dustin's album.

[Saucey McRib]

Yeah I know, should be in the high 90s.

I laughed.

[Chris Fallon]

I never thought Christmas music could be something I could hate.

Thank you, The Maine, for proving me wrong.

[NorthstarPark]

Well the upside is it's only four songs...but the downside is it's 4 songs by The Maine. So there is really no winning. No thanks, I would much rather listen to Kenny G at my Mom's like I do every Christmas. Kenny G OWNS The Maine in so many ways.

[fadedmemories]

The Way We Talk, a release I found more superior to their full-length.
Agreed, good review

[brentkid]

I'm looking forward to hearing this.

[The Summer Ends]

It makes me sad that this got a higher score than Skip School, Start Fights.

[lastsummerhero]

I want this as well. I enjoy this band more and more, as long as I ignore their atrocious fan-base.

Lol.
So true. The Maine has one of the most annoying fanbases on the planet.

[ashiex3]

not a big fan of the maine, but i did enjoy ho ho hopefully.
..maybe that was because of brighten.

[blindrider529]

haha I love how much disgust Chris and Jason feel for this band. Personally, I'll give it a listen later. I really, really love Christmas, so this would have to be absolutely awful to make me hate it.

On a side note...if you want to hear an incredibly talented and creative band playing some very well done Christmas songs check out Future of Forestry (http://www.myspace.com/futureofforestry)'s Myspace page. They even came recommended by THE Jason Tate (http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=204909) a year and 10 months ago! It is an absolute shame that this band isn't more well known. If you didn't see my rec of them yesterday, check it out (http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?p=26952662#post26952 662).

[Joe DeAndrea]

It makes me sad that this got a higher score than Skip School, Start Fights.

This score has nothing to do with Hit the Lights' score. Chris did that, not me. If I reviewed HTL, it'd probably be somewhere in the 80s; it's in my top 3 for the year.

[Joe DeAndrea]

I never thought Christmas music could be something I could hate.

Thank you, The Maine, for proving me wrong.

Have you listened to it?

[MusicTalks]

For those who just don't like Christmas music in general, you probably hate puppies and steal toys from babies, too

Now, that's funny.

[saysmydoctor]

Joe is alone on this.

[Phil507]

Damnit, why do you guys keep giving bands like these a (relatively) positive review? You're just encouraging more annoying bands to pop up and try to cram their auto-tuned-to-death garbage down our throats.

[allshedreams]

Final song, a cover of "Last Christmas," isn't neccessarily bad, but I would have liked to see The Maine try something different. It feels like everyone and their grandparents have covered that song.

Definitely, since there is only one cover on this EP, I think they could have chosen a much better song than "Last Christmas". I would have preferred them to cover a more well known song and personally, I think if you're going to cover a Wham song, then it should be "Wake Me Up Before You Go Go", haha.

[blindrider529]

Damnit, why do you guys keep giving bands like these a (relatively) positive review? You're just encouraging more annoying bands to pop up and try to cram their auto-tuned-to-death garbage down our throats.
If this is really a problem for you, then I recommend putting your energy into promoting bands that you think are worth while instead of complaining.

You could also write your own reviews.

[Phil507]

Have you listened to it?

Have his vocals gotten any better? No? Ok, are their lyrics still ridden with cliches and their songs as predictably structured as these Pita chips I'm currently eating? Yeah?

No need to listen to it.

[Schreiforme417]

"For those who just don't like Christmas music in general, you probably hate puppies and steal toys from babies, too."

agreed agreed agreed. i love it. my favorite sentence

[iseethesun123]

I want this. They're great

[iseethesun123]

Have his vocals gotten any better? No? Ok, are their lyrics still ridden with cliches and their songs as predictably structured as these Pita chips I'm currently eating? Yeah?

No need to listen to it.
You're an idiot

[robat19]

Have his vocals gotten any better? No? Ok, are their lyrics still ridden with cliches and their songs as predictably structured as these Pita chips I'm currently eating? Yeah?

No need to listen to it.
I don't think he was talking to you...

[BlindSIGHTED313]

I like The Maine


they aren't pretending to be something AMAZING or something original.....they just make music

I completely understand why people hate them, but there is not reason to bitch about them. Lots of people like them.

[codypayne]

this band was sooo cool before they discovered nike shoes and homosexuality.

[onemoresong]

though i'm not to much into the maine since every girl in my school is, i'll check it out.

i thought august burns red was supposed to make a christmas record. that, i would most definately enjoy.

[The Summer Ends]

This score has nothing to do with Hit the Lights' score. Chris did that, not me. If I reviewed HTL, it'd probably be somewhere in the 80s; it's in my top 3 for the year.

I know, I just tend to view staff members as a whole instead of individuals. That's good to hear that it's in your top 3 this year though, I'd put it there too.

[Phil507]

You're an idiot

Why? Because I call something out for what it is.

[Phil507]

I like The Maine


they aren't pretending to be something AMAZING or something original.....they just make music

I completely understand why people hate them, but there is not reason to bitch about them. Lots of people like them.

That's the problem. There are just too many bands cluttering the whole music scene getting by on the ideaology of "Hey, we're not amazing or original, we just make fun music." I'm all for dumb fun music but only when it's executed well. This, kids, is not.

[iseethesun123]

Why? Because I call something out for what it is.
What is wrong with the vocals? Nothing. Yeah some of their songs have stupid jokes and lame puns but all around are great. They are just fun. Listen to something before you judge it.

[celeney]

I wanna hear this.

[Phil507]

What is wrong with the vocals? Nothing. Yeah some of their songs have stupid jokes and lame puns but all around are great. They are just fun. Listen to something before you judge it.

Have you ever had the misfortune of seeing this band live? The guy CAN'T SING. He can't stay on key. Even listening to the recorded versions, you can tell his voice is flat as shit (and that's with all the auto-tune).

[Co and Ca]

http://www.jrcompton.com/words/meta/SOL/Winter-06/JR55029-girl-santa-hat.jpg

She makes Christmas look good. The Maine do not.

[mallyland]

This is the only Christmas I need:

Holiday Inn (http://www.amazon.com/Holiday-Inn-Bing-Crosby/dp/B001DXS4E2/ref=pd_cp_d_1_img?pf_rd_p=413864101 &pf_rd_s=center-41&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000I0QL82&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1CKREV83JP2M4HKZV56Q)

It's currently $20.00 at Target. Save on S&H!

[MattGrabe]

Even listening to the recorded versions, you can tell his voice is flat as shit (and that's with all the auto-tune).

John O's final tracks are not too much different at all from his raw tracks. He's very easy to work with.

Also, Jared is one of the best guitarists I have had the privilege of recording. He sure puts me to shame. It's a rarity to have to do a second take with that guy.

I love these dudes. I hope some of you enjoy the EP.

[Phil507]

John O's final tracks are not too much different at all from his raw tracks. He's very easy to work with.

Also, Jared is one of the best guitarists I have had the privilege of recording. He sure puts me to shame. It's a rarity to have to do a second take with that guy.

I love these dudes. I hope some of you enjoy the EP.

I'm sensing that you're friends with the band (which is totally fine) but, I'm sorry, the results speak for themselves. Have seen this band twice and the singer was flat both times.

[MattGrabe]

I'm sensing that you're friends with the band (which is totally fine) but, I'm sorry, the results speak for themselves. Have seen this band twice and the singer was flat both times.

I would think of them as friends, yes. I produced (I hate using that word by the way, it sounds so pretentious) The Way We Talk and the Christmas EP. Needless to say, I wasn't speaking from a defensive friend point of view, but rather from what I hear during my sessions.

Your opinion may vary, that's understandable. I'm a fan of these guys.

[xsinkshipsx]

This band is awful - they make Christmas music sound bad. I don't know how that's even possible.
way to be mr. tate. I agree. I also don't like it when bands do christmas stuff and DONT PLAY ANY REGULAR CHRISTMAS SONGS! seriously....

[RyanFTW]

I am so starting a Jeffree Star Metal Cover band that makes christmas songs.

[PopPunkKid]

I'm not usually this vocal about my hate towards a band, but...fuck this band.


This

[A_Rolling_Stone]

favorite maine song, "you left me"...so good!

[alltimecam]

I don't understand how it already has a 40 something percent rating from users when no one has even heard it yet

[Holly HoX!]

This band is awful - they make Christmas music sound bad. I don't know how that's even possible.
couldn't agree more.

[Debut_Fin]

I am so starting a Jeffree Star Metal Cover band that makes christmas songs.

can i play keytar?

[birtcho]

i love them

[taylerx0]

I don't particularly enjoy this band, but it's pretty hard to mess up Christmas music for me. I haven't heard this yet, but I'll try to give it a shot.

[newfoundmichael]

This

Sorry, I don't understand?

[mybreakingpoint]

i hate the Maine, but love christmas music, so i might give this a shot haha

[iseethesun123]

Have you ever had the misfortune of seeing this band live? The guy CAN'T SING. He can't stay on key. Even listening to the recorded versions, you can tell his voice is flat as shit (and that's with all the auto-tune).
Yeah actually I have seen them three times and I thought he sounded fine. Only one time during a song did he mess up but he recovered and sang perfectly fine

[LongDistanceDrunk]

It's either this or i finally get around to getting Sufjan's Christmas album. Or Sixpence's album. Or Dustin's album.

Get Dustin's. The three Christmas tracks( bonus songs) from his last album were amazing so I'm sure this will be as well.

[LongDistanceDrunk]

I don't understand how it already has a 40 something percent rating from users when no one has even heard it yet

Like others have already stated they know what to expect; a bad case of auditory rape.

[dannidisaster]

yeah i thought 'the way we talk' was better than the full length too, i saw them live and john had no problem with singing whatsoever...

[Phil507]

Yeah actually I have seen them three times and I thought he sounded fine. Only one time during a song did he mess up but he recovered and sang perfectly fine

I'm assuming you might be tone deaf?

[sargentlgfuad]

wow.
i love how you people waste your time saying how much you hate a band.
:-d
ha.

[iseethesun123]

I'm assuming you might be tone deaf?
Could be. My voice lessons teacher begs to differ though

[WhoSaidThat?]

How about they sing "Kyle's Mom is a Stupid Bitch" in D-Minor.

[PopPunkKid]

Sorry, I don't understand?


I was just stating that I agree with exactly what you put in your post.

[newfoundmichael]

I was just stating that I agree with exactly what you put in your post.

Ah, I see. Sorry I didn't make that connection. Thanks for the support. ha.

[bhmiles]

I have seen The Maine live, and I think they put on an amazing live show.
I don't see a problem with John's voice. I think he's a really strong singer. So what if he doesn't hit every single note perfectly. That's why it's called a LIVE performance. It is not supposed to sound identical to the studio recording.
That's just my opinion.

[Alex DiVincenzo]

Nice review. I'm not a fan of the band but enjoy Christmas music and the review convinced me to give this a try.

[TheClockworks]

man, the maine is exactly like all time low, except you can tell there are tiny penises galore in there tour van

[Young Machetes]

man, the maine is exactly like all time low, except you can tell there are tiny penises galore in there tour van
Ummmm... sure

ATL is better than The Maine on all counts, and I think this EP got such a low user rating is because it's "cool" to bash on them. Whatever.

Ho Ho Hopefully is solid, I want to hear the whole EP.

[TheClockworks]

Ummmm... sure

ATL is better than The Maine on all counts, and I think this EP got such a low user rating is because it's "cool" to bash on them. Whatever.

Ho Ho Hopefully is solid, I want to hear the whole EP.
its not cool to bash on them,

its cool to bash on people who think 'ATL' stands for all time low, instead of atlanta

[coastalcaro7]

good review. i've heard 2 songs off of the ep now, the new version of "ho, ho, hopefully" (not gonna lie, i like the old version ft. justin of brighten more) and "santa stole my gf" and can say that i love both. i would rank the cd higher than everyone else seems to want to just because i know that their music isn't always supposed to be something thought provoking, it's supposed to be fun, catchy music and on that promise, they deliver.

also, i've had the PLEASURE of seeing the maine live twice now, and plan to again as soon as they make their rounds back to the carolinas. i know that everyone's entitled to their opinion but mine is that they're a great live band. i agree that the idea is not for it to sound identical to the record, though both times that i've seen them the majority of it did sound hella close (whether you like what you hear or not). they keep their crowd, however annoying most of that crowd may be, involved and give a personality to their performance that alot of "more musically talented" bands are lacking. it's like dancing, you can be the best technical dancer in the world but if you don't have that passion and fun shining through it, no one's gonna care. they have that passion and as long as they're still making it fun for me and them, i'll keep listening.

[Lirr168]

Finally picked this up today and I think the first 3 songs are a refreshing departure from the regular Christmas songs I can't get away from in stores and on the radio. Not a fan of the cover, though.