EastScene

Alt-pop-rockers Mayday Parade are gearing up for an extensive touring schedule, as well as their highly-anticipated sophomore release, Anywhere But Here. Let it be known that it’s a far cry from their debut record, A Lesson In Romantics. It’s obvious that they are transforming into another skin, becoming a little less pop and a little more alternative. This may be a slap in the face to some fans, but will surely knock the ball out of the park with others. I’d say this record is going to be calling the Billboard Charts home sweet home in no time.

The album is introducted with one of the tracks they recently released on their MySpace, titled “Kids In Love”. The song carries you away with the infectious drum beats, just as the guitar riffs can make you literally dream of two kids falling in love. This is no surprise to Mayday Parade’s former album, but I was ready to hear something that stood out from the rest. Once I had listened to the next track, “Anywhere But Here”, that’s exactly what I got, and it was just the beginning. I felt as if it was very “Ohio Is For Lovers”, but obviously without the screaming, cutting wrists or blacking eyes. Overall, way better.

An intro, in my eyes, is one of the most important parts of a track, and once I approached “The Silence”, I was sold. The song breaks it in with guitar solos worthy of a stint in Guitar Hero (which I may have caught myself air-playing along to). Then kicks in the solid classic vocals of Derek Sanders, deeper than ever. The chorus has taken over, and this is what I call perfection.

Can you feel the transformation? Can you hear the charts calling? I sure can, and they deserve it. Anywhere But Here may just be the most awaited Mayday Parade album yet. It’s been two years since their last album release, and the fans are ready for what’s to come. Though there is already a conflict about the change of style from former Mayday fans, not accepting that it’s still the same old band, they should appreciate the thrilling new twist. I believe that it shows a lot about them as a band, not following what everyone wants or expects, but writing music the way they want it, and that’s what a lot of bands are afraid of nowadays.

Another reason why I love this album is the variety of music you have to choose from. They supported not only the new version of Mayday, but also a bit of the old as well. Throwing in an acoustic called “I Swear This Time I Mean It”, reminding you of their former softer tracks such as “Three Cheers for Five Years”. Though it will never sound the same as before without Jason Lancaster’s vocals, who was a former vocalist and left the band in 2007, shortly after the A Lesson in Romantics album recording was completed. Although Lancaster did a good job, I believe that Sanders sounded incredible on his own in Anywhere But Here.

I can only tell you my open opinion about the new record, but if you can accept Mayday Parade’s new skin also, and an incredible album full of brilliant lyrics, vocals and air guitar sessions, I’d highly suggest getting this record yourself when released in stores on October 6th, 2009.

Overall Rating: 9/10

Mayday Parade is:

Derek Sanders – lead vocals, keyboard
Jeremy Lenzo – bass guitar, vocals
Alex Garcia – lead guitar
Brooks Betts – rhythm guitar
Jake Bundrick – drums, backing vocals

Best Tracks: “The Silence” , “If You Can’t Live Without Me Why Aren’t You Dead?”, “Get Up”, “I Swear This Time I Mean It”.