Review Summary: What the hell is wrong with you people? This is NOT a classic album! Mayday Parade is really just Simple Plan, minus the legions of little girls.
Mayday Parade, A Lesson In Romantics
As much as I hate to admit it, I have always had a weakness for pop-punk. I realize it’s terrible music, but it’s become kind of a guilty pleasure for me. So when I saw that Mayday Parade had earned a 4ish over like 40 votes it sounded like something I might be interested in. This idea was reinforced when I saw that it had not one, but two ridiculously positive reviews. So being the cheapskate that I am, I went and downloaded this first to see if it was something I liked before I bought it. And I’m definitely glad I did, because now I have to ask; what the hell is wrong with you people, this is NOT a classic album? Every single thing about A Lesson in Romantics is laughably cliche, from the simple guitar hooks, to the verse-chorus-verse-chorus-chorus-chorus song structure, to the high-schoolesque lyrics. Mayday Parade is really just Simple Plan, minus the legions of little girls.
There is nothing even slightly original or creative about this album. The biggest problem is that pretty much all the songs sound more-or-less the same, relying on catchy hooks and power-chord choruses. Once you’ve heard “Jamie All Over” you’ve really heard the entire album. This problem probably stems from the band’s apparent lack of musicianship as all of the parts, guitars, bass and drums, seem too simple and stripped back. I will give Mayday parade credit though, they did mix it up a bit by throwing in the occasional sappy ballad. The best example of this is “Miserable At Best” which almost made me laugh, with it’s truly original combination of piano and “tearjerking” lyrics.
However, the biggest apparent draw to this album was (thankfully) not it’s originality but it’s supposed beautiful, emotional lyrics. The problem here is that there is a difference between powerful, emotional lyrics and sappy, childish garbage and Mayday Parade certainly leans toward the latter. Now I am only in high-school, but even I think these lyrics are juvenile and immature. Yeah I’ve been rejected too, but I didn’t go home and write an entire 45 minute album about it. I mean c’mon, if I wanted to hear grown men cry I’d have become a psychiatrist. However I seem to be the only person on Sputnik who feel’s this way so maybe I’ll just let the lyrics speak for themselves:
Katie don’t cry I know
You’re trying your hardest
And the hardest part is letting go...
or
Tell me once again
That you'll love me to the death
And should I die, you swear that you will come for me
As I fade away, you reach out your hand
(And please don’t let me go)
oh jeeze, watch out Lennon!
Now having said that, this album does have some redeeming qualities. Firstly singer Derek Sanders does have an excellent voice (so long as you don’t listen too hard to what he’s singing) and secondly it is catchy. The sad truth though, is that catchy alone doesn’t make an album. It requires things like originality and creativity or even just decent musicianship or lyrics and tragically Mayday Parade lacks all of the above.
