Mayday Parade - "A Lesson in Romantics" | Teen Ink

Mayday Parade - "A Lesson in Romantics" MAG

April 27, 2010
By isabella13 SILVER, Staten Island, New York
isabella13 SILVER, Staten Island, New York
5 articles 1 photo 1 comment

Favorite Quote:
If I could just find the time, then I would never let another day go by.- from "Weightless" by All Time Low


We've all had relationship issues, and sometimes the fights and break-ups make us want to curl up in bed and listen to music. The best CD for this is Mayday Parade's break-up bible, “A Lesson In Romantics.” The 12-song album is an amazing combination of well-crafted lyrics and catchy, exciting music. This is one lesson that definitely won't put you to sleep.

Mayday Parade doesn't have the best guitarist, drummer, or singer. In fact, lead vocalist Derek Sanders' voice is hoarse, breathy, and at times sounds like a dog's bark. But somehow, it all comes together. The men and women described in “A Lesson In Romantics” are far from perfect, and a flawless opera singer's voice just wouldn't fit.

The fantastic lyrics and excessively long titles prove that Jason Lancaster, who left Mayday Parade shortly after writing this album, is an outstanding songwriter. There are titles like “You Be the Anchor That Keeps My Feet On The Ground, I'll Be the Wings That Keep Your Heart In The Clouds” and lyrics like “So I will run, until my feet don't touch the ground” (from “Ocean and ­Atlantic”).

The music in “A Lesson In Romantics” seems to fade to the background at first. But the more you listen, the more you see the skillful drum patterns and masterful guitar solos in tracks like “Black Cat.” “Miserable At Best,” with only vocals and piano, provides a nice break from the fast-paced guitar and drumming that makes up the majority of the album.

What really makes “A Lesson In Romantics” so fantastic is the emotion. You can feel the pain, joy, and love in every note. My personal favorite, “I'd Hate to Be You When People Find Out What This Song Is About,” has brought me to the verge of tears because of the clear heartbreaking love and despair. The lyrics in “Take This To Heart” are so easy to relate to that you can instantly imagine the entire story behind them.

“A Lesson In Romantics” shows that Mayday Parade is musically gifted, lyrically fascinating, and emotionally dynamic. Their full-length debut is excellent from beginning to end. “A Lesson In Romantics” will teach us a truly unforgettable lesson in heartbreak, true love, and music.


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This article has 7 comments.


Jay C said...
on Oct. 18 2011 at 6:16 pm

Slight mistake here, Jason is the one with the deeper, hoarsier voice.  Derek is the one that's lighter.

The review itself wasn't too good.  Not that it was bad, it just needs more details.


xkristinx GOLD said...
on Aug. 3 2010 at 4:44 pm
xkristinx GOLD, Fairfield, Connecticut
15 articles 0 photos 9 comments
Finally. someone else who loves and feels the same way about mayday parade that i do. i think everything that they do is amazing. thank you sooooo much for writing this. it was amazing.<33

Ender PLATINUM said...
on Jun. 7 2010 at 3:46 pm
Ender PLATINUM, Hagerstown, Maryland
49 articles 0 photos 14 comments

Favorite Quote:
Perhaps it&#039;s impossible to wear an identity without becoming what you pretend to be<br /> -Orson Scott Card

I think I just about agreed with every word you said. It was a really good review about really good(that is an understatement if you didn't notice) music.

on May. 13 2010 at 3:04 pm
isabella13 SILVER, Staten Island, New York
5 articles 1 photo 1 comment

Favorite Quote:
If I could just find the time, then I would never let another day go by.- from &quot;Weightless&quot; by All Time Low

Thank you! I love you too.

on May. 13 2010 at 9:42 am
PrincessBethyyy GOLD, Knoxville, Tennessee
15 articles 0 photos 21 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;Being happy doesn&#039;t mean everythings perfect, it means looking past the imperfections in life.&quot; -Gerard Way.

i love you.

i love you for loving mayday parade as much as i do!

you're amazing for writing a good review about them. :]


mia888 said...
on May. 13 2010 at 2:45 am
ok,how are you

on May. 3 2010 at 8:49 pm
riosomeone BRONZE, Dallas, Texas
1 article 0 photos 2 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;We can&#039;t keep thinking we&#039;re all that matter, and that the world has nothing to do with us.&quot; -Edward Elric (FMA)

“I'd Hate to Be You" is my second favorite on the album, after "Miserable at Best". ^^

This is a well-written review! It's a nice change of pace for me (since some of my friends have said some not-so-great things about Mayday Parade), but it's not just "Lyk, OMG, this is gooood." It's positive, but not blindly so. :D