Mayday Parade - Valdosta EP Review

Let’s be honest: Anywhere But Here was a pretty huge letdown for most of us. The addictive hooks that drove both Tales Told By Dead Friends and A Lesson In Romantics were replaced with sappy pop melodies. Perhaps this was due to the absence of Jason Lancaster, who was a fundamental figure – both lyrically and vocally – in the two aforementioned records. Whatever reason behind this change, it left many fans distraught – and ultimately disappointed.

However, Mayday Parade’s latest EP, Valdosta has a little bit of everything: past, present, and future. First and foremost, the two new tracks, “Amber Lynn” and “Terrible Things,” may bring back the Mayday Parade missed on ABH. The former is a soft acoustic track with a nice southern draw, courtesy of guitarists Alex Garcia and Brooks Betts. The violin exit adds to the feel of the track, a nice touch indeed. The latter track creates a “Miserable At Best” feel with a piano melody as Sanders sings a love story in what is arguably one of the most poignant MP tracks yet. The final minute of the track is immensely powerful, exemplifying the passion Sanders possesses, a missing element the last go around.

The older acoustic tracks also prove to be a great treat for fans, especially the nostalgic “Your Song” and hit “Jamie All Over.” The stripped down version of “Your Song” proves to be even more emotional than the original, as the soft piano and backing vocals create layered intensity. Similarly, the fan favorite “Jamie All Over” doesn’t sound half bad, as expected, even with Jake Bundrick replacing Lancaster’s parts vocally. Even the acoustic “Kids In Love” is better than the original; it proves to be a good selection for this, as it was one of the few semi-memorable tracks off of Anywhere But Here, and Sander’s vocal delivery here is top notch. Still, “Bruised And Scarred” is just as melodramatic as it was the first time around, even with the nice violin addition.

All in all, while Valdosta only contains two new tracks, they’re clearly a step back in the right direction. The simplistic nature of each heightens their strength. Moreover, the TTBDF and ALIR-era acoustic inclusions will sure to continue to be fan favorites, making the only mediocre track being “Bruised And Scarred.” As a result, Valdosta will surely set Mayday Parade back on track, leaving listeners anxious for their upcoming full length record....full text The new EP Valdosta finds Mayday Parade in acoustic mode. Clocking in at twenty-three minutes, the six-track release opens and closes with brand new songs, “Amber Lynn” and “Terrible Things.” Sandwiched in between are four re-recordings of earlier Mayday Parade songs, including two originally recorded with former frontman Jason Lancaster.

Valdosta bridges the gap between the group’s successful 2009 sophomore album, Anywhere But Here (peaking at #31 on the Billboard 200 and #8 on Billboard’s Alternative Album charts) and their as-yet-untitled third album (due summer 2011). Perhaps some fans will see this release as two sides of a single, fleshed out with inessential reworkings. Some may cry foul at the inclusion of songs previously recorded during the Lancaster era. That said, the two new songs are excellent while each of the older songs work fairly well with new, quieter arrangements.

The emphasis here is clearly on melody and sensitively delivered lyrics, with expressive singing by Derek Sanders. In fact, they save the best for last with “Terrible Things.” Beginning as a piano ballad, the song builds slowly to a full band climax that finds the other group members crashing in for the final minute. Alex Garcia’s lead guitar soars as the backing vocals swell under the main melody. “Amber Lynn,” the other new song, is almost as good – a rustic, jangly mid-tempo track with fine vocals.

The EP’s oldest tune, Jason Lancaster’s “Your Song,” dates back to the band’s first release, 2006’s EP Tales Told By Dead Friends. Recast as a piano-and-strings ballad, the new version doesn’t have the buzz-saw energy of the original. Faring much better after the acoustic conversion is “Jamie All Over,” the other Lancaster song. The remaining cuts first appeared on Anywhere But Here, “Bruised and Scarred” and “Kids In Love.” The former brings the melody nicely to the fore, while the latter suffers a bit from an overly whiney vocal....full text The new EP Valdosta finds Mayday Parade in acoustic mode. Clocking in at twenty-three minutes, the six-track release opens and closes with brand new songs, “Amber Lynn” and “Terrible Things.” Sandwiched in between are four re-recordings of earlier Mayday Parade songs, including two originally recorded with former frontman Jason Lancaster.

Valdosta bridges the gap between the group’s successful 2009 sophomore album, Anywhere But Here (peaking at #31 on the Billboard 200 and #8 on Billboard’s Alternative Album charts) and their as-yet-untitled third album (due summer 2011). Perhaps some fans will see this release as two sides of a single, fleshed out with inessential reworkings. Some may cry foul at the inclusion of songs previously recorded during the Lancaster era. That said, the two new songs are excellent while each of the older songs work fairly well with new, quieter arrangements.

The emphasis here is clearly on melody and sensitively delivered lyrics, with expressive singing by Derek Sanders. In fact, they save the best for last with “Terrible Things.” Beginning as a piano ballad, the song builds slowly to a full band climax that finds the other group members crashing in for the final minute. Alex Garcia’s lead guitar soars as the backing vocals swell under the main melody. “Amber Lynn,” the other new song, is almost as good – a rustic, jangly mid-tempo track with fine vocals.

The EP’s oldest tune, Jason Lancaster’s “Your Song,” dates back to the band’s first release, 2006’s EP Tales Told By Dead Friends. Recast as a piano-and-strings ballad, the new version doesn’t have the buzz-saw energy of the original. Faring much better after the acoustic conversion is “Jamie All Over,” the other Lancaster song. The remaining cuts first appeared on Anywhere But Here, “Bruised and Scarred” and “Kids In Love.” The former brings the melody nicely to the fore, while the latter suffers a bit from an overly whiney vocal....full text