I know there are going to be some hardcore AFI fans out there that’ll trash me for saying this, but I liked this album. I mean, in comparison to decemberunderground, you have to admit Sing the Sorrow at least retained the punk roots that garnered AFI’s cult following over the years. Continue reading →
2003
23
Apr 09
Destination: Beautiful (2003) by Mae
Mae
Destination: Beautiful
2003, Tooth & Nail
pop, rock
½
As the debut album of the band Mae, it’s really sad how good this album is in comparison to their most recent Singularity. Destination: Beautiful might be as pop and feel-good as its title implies, but it’s obviously the more honest and comfortable fit for this band. Elkins’s voice isn’t brilliant (as usual) but at least the songs are written with that fact in mind, and he isn’t forced to sound like a wailing cat when hitting the higher notes.
Sound-wise, the songs are a mix of pop and some rock, but they aren’t what you’d stylistically expect from this band. They’re obviously willing to take chances in their styles (every song has its distinct sound) and yet work to keep all of their songs cohesive to a certain extent. The biggest surprise is that they succeed; at the end of the album, you’ll realize that you’ve been on a sonic journey that was smoother and more eventful than most so-called concept albums. After hearing this and Singularity, I think Mae’s move from Tooth & Nail was the biggest mistake they made in their career. Somewhere along the line, this band lost their sincerity, charming naivete, and character.
“Summertime,” “Runaway,” “This Time Is The Last Time.”
myspace, last.fm
Mae’s Singularity, Provincial Park’s Iron Ponies EP
19
Feb 09
Reason EP (2003) by The Fray
The Fray
Reason EP
2003, independent (no label)
pop rock, piano rock
½
This debut EP by the now-famous The Fray isn’t much of a gem when compared with their later work. While much of Reason is more Billy Joel-wannabe piano pop than the piano rock they would later become, it featured an attempt at lyricism that was promising even if it didn’t always hit the mark. “Oceans Away,” “Vienna,” (yes the same song on How To Save A Life) and “Without Reason” are probably the three songs that scored this band their strong fanbase and, eventually, their record deal. Get the EP if you want to hear more of the same stuff from their two albums; otherwise, don’t bother.
