Mae Band • Page 11

I actually just listnened to the remastered 3-EP album today for the first time and it sounds really nice. I can't place my finger on what exactly is different, but the production is solid. Worth a listen if you havent before!

 

That’s nice that they are all sequenced together !

 

It's almost a two hour listen, but it's really nice to just run through the whole thing, makes me appreciate it as a whole a lot more

 

Yeah, I definitely intend to sort through it on the deck one of these nights. I bet it will be a much more fulfilling experience despite liking all of them for what they were. I still do miss some of the bigger songs. Are these new ones Mark or just Dave and the band producing? Who even makes up MAE anymore?

 

Honestly, great question, I am not sure

 

I miss porky !

 

I'll do a write up on why I disagree when I get home, because boy howdy do I have opinions/hot takes on this album haha.

 

Singularity thoughts:

Disclaimer: I have always had a soft spot for synthy alternative rock so this may skew my opinion a bit.

I never really understood the dislike for this album. From longtime Mae fans to the band themselves, this album gets quite a bad rap that honestly I have a hard time wrapping my head around.

On one hand, I do understand the disappointment when compared to their other work. This is definitely a departure from the high concept, ambitious music they are usually know for (The Everglow and the MAE EPs in particular). I can see how this was underwhelming on the heels of The Everglow, and that has always been a very fair reason for the album not resonating with someone.

However, I simply don't agree with people who say the album isn't good. Music taste is of course subjective and anyone can think what they want, but it just surprises me how often I see/hear this opinion. In my view, this is a well executed pop rock album. It is more straightforward and accessible than anything else they have done, but I feel that it works.

That being said, it isn't perfect. Lyrically, I will say this is not the bands best work, and some of the lyrics are clunky and cheesy. Musically however, this album still owns. The interplay between the guitars and synth is so good. The guitars themselves are at times heavier with a bite to them, and the synth, while perhaps more on the generic side, is executed well and provides a pop flair that contrasts the crunchy riffs. Together they work really well imo. The classic Dave Elkins vocal harmonies and drums sound great too and compliment the songs more than hinder them.

And, as Jusscali pointed out, the production is super solid too. Everything sounds huge and in your face . These songs may not be on the same level as they usually operate, but I still consider this the fun, catchy, poppy Mae album that was always misunderstood and very underrated.

Also "Telescopes" and "Rocket" are back to back easily two of the best songs on the album.

 

I'm gonna listen to Singularity again tomorrow and see what my current thoughts are :)

 

I’ve always been a closeted Singularity fan. There are dozens of us! DOZENS!

 

Bloom, Sleep Well and Seasons are three of my favourite Mae songs. Love them.

I'd like to throw out a further point for discussion: I think back then there was a bit of resentment/disappointment for bands that started on labels like Tooth & Nail and then went over to a mainstream label. I don't think I heard people say they'd 'sold out' specifically but I do remember an often unsaid atmosphere/perspective that that was what had happened. I also remember that, because of that, there was a feeling that these bands didn't have as much creative control anymore or had to go more 'poppy' or 'mainstream'. I don't know if the mainstream labels put pressure for certain sound (which could explain the lyrical side of things) or whether it was just the whole vibe/perspective in the community at the time, but I definitely remember that kind of feeling. I'll be the first to say that I was caught up in it. And then when the albums dropped and it didn't reach expectations or sound how we wanted it to sound, many people dropped the band or record straight away and didn't give it a fair chance.

And when you look at Singularity from Mae and something like New Surrender from Anberlin, the general consensus is still that these are not their best albums.

What do other people think?

 

Boom. This is such a great point. I think Copeland talked about this too. I don’t think these bands had a great deal of autonomy with their major label debuts.

 

I really liked Singularity. I thought it was a showcase of the bands versatility, honestly. They produced a really good alternative rock record.

I agree also with the thoughts in here about production

 

Lol. I thought that was never-nudes?

I agree with @awakeohsleeper. I do think there’s a correlation between major label debuts and quality to a degree. I also typically don’t like Howard Benson’s production although I think Singularity represents some of his best. But I do wonder how much of the actual songwriting was impacted too.

I’m excited to go listen to this now. Haha.

 

Singularity is solid, but none of it really comes close to the highs of D:B, Everglow, and the EP's for me. Except for Crazy 8's, which slays.

 

I just need to say this: Howard Benson absolutely butchered the chorus of Crazy 8s. I'll never forgive him for making them change it from "SO PLEASE TELL ME - WHAT - WAS - WRONG - WITH - THAT?" to "WILL YOU ----- STAY ----- WITH ME - TONIGHT?"

I have the Sandbridge version on my home computer... I'll see if I can share it tonight if someone else hasn't heard it.

 

I forgot about that demo version. Lyrically I don't have an opinion but I think musically the chorus they eventually went with flows much better.

 

Oh I would LOVE to hear that. Please share

 

Singularity is just hit or miss with me. Brink of Disaster, Crazy 8s, Just Let Go, Waiting, Home, and Reflections are top-tier Mae songs. Then there are a few songs just below that level like On Top or Rocket.

The problem is that songs like Sometimes I Can't Make It Alone, Sic Semper Tyrannis, Telescopes, and the hidden/bonus tracks that just kill the album's vibe for me. Maybe because those are the most straightforward rock songs on the album, but I can't seem to find the hooks in those songs.

 

Giving Singularity a re-listen this morning, this record does have some great riffs. I just never think of Mae as a riff band and so I think that's why I never appreciated it as much.

Also I think we all need to give Waiting a little more love.

 

So I just listened to Singularity and it's...actually more underwhelming than I remember.

I love "Crazy 8s," "Just Let Go," "Waiting," (that synth line) and "Home" (which I completely forgot about...super good).

"Reflections" is very nice. Not mind-blowing considering what the band is capable of, but a very pretty ending.

"Brink of Disaster," "Sic Semper Tyrannis," "Telescopes," and "Rocket" are all solid rock songs, but there's not a ton to distinguish them from each other. The worst part is there's something unique to each one that almost feels...I don't know...watered down. Like they could have been really dynamic, but ended up being clumped together to make an accessible rock album. I also love the bridge of "Release Me," but the song as a whole is bland.

"Sometimes I Can't Make it Alone" and "On Top" are two of the worst songs the band has written. The former is catchy but clunky. The latter just isn't catchy or memorable at all. The bonus track is interesting, but odd and long.

I think knowing what this band is capable of from The Everglow and the EPs, and coming off their three most recent songs which are some of their best work, Singularity is noticeably weaker. I think comparing it to New Surrender is apt, especially with the major label, but even that album played more to Anberlin's strengths than this one plays to Mae's IMO.

Edit: Not to keep going, but to continue with the Anberlin comparison, Anberlin was a band that was always poised to get huge. They did catchy, radio-ready stuff amazingly well without compromising their core sound. NS took that formula a little far, but it was still Anberlin. Mae's always been an artsier, semi-conceptual band that would probably go over the heads of most radio-listeners other than maybe "Suspension" (which is terrific). Singularity really sounds like the band being pushed to be a radio-rock band, which they are so not.

 

Obviously, the production is better on the SIngularity version... But I love this melody and it brings a more honest emotion to the rest of the song... part of the love I have for this version was how they played it live (which is where I first heard the song)

 

My favorite of theirs, the remastering/remixing they did was incredible. Love that it gave those EPs some new life

 

I like this, but it's hard to separate it from the normal version in my ears. It kind of throws me off. Haha.

Meanwhile, I'm listening to Destination: Beautiful right now and holy cow. I undersell how great this album is.

 

best Mae song since Everglow.