Mae Band • Page 12

As far as Singularity goes, that was actually one of the first CDs I bought with my own money from mowing lawns. I was 16 at the time and listening to The Everglow constantly.

Earlier that year Anberlin’s Cities came out and changed my tastes for some heavier music so by the time Mae’s album came out I remember really liking it. In retrospect it’s not aged super well for me but I do have some tracks I go back to once in a while.

I think as a whole where D:B and TE were lyrically/musically diverse..Singularity has “a sound” that encompasses the album, like they found one guitar tone and used it for everything. Reminds me a bit of RK’s Five Score.

The riffs are there but when compared to the rest of their catalogue they fall flat, as do the lyrics for me at least. I’d be really curious, if they re-recorded those songs, whatvtheyd sound like now

 

Dang, I didn't even realize they'd done a remaster of all the EPs. Definitely gonna check that out

 

That's interesting you brought up RK's Five Score, I always have that album linked with Singularity since they both came out around the same time, jumped to the same major label and had Howard Benson as a producer. I remember being so mad at Benson for 'ruining' my favorite bands lol

I was disappointed with both albums initially but I've come around big time on Five Score. I have a hard time going back to Singularity for those same reasons you listed. The Everglow set the bar so high and while I was fine with them going a different direction, Singularity lacked that Mae factor all their other albums and EP's have had. I don't hate the album and I do like a few songs but I don't listen to it front to back like the other albums.

I love the new songs and can't wait to hear more

 

The new songs are very good. Seems like they've hit their stride again. Let it Die is very similar to Embers and Envelopes theme wise. I'm excited for the album announcement.

 

Singularity fan here too! First time hearing those unreleased lyrics for Crazy 8s and I can't say I like it. Album version really does it for me.

 

I remember back in 2007 I was introduced to Mae when they opened for Relient K, they opened their set with Brink of Disaster and I thought it was the coolest thing. Had no clue what the song was called haha, but I eventually found out.. still love it. I need to give Singularity another listen. It's been a sweet minute.

 

Listened through the remastered EPs and I don't know if it's just because I'm so used to the original versions but... am I the only one who feels like they kind of butchered the songs? It's like they brought all the background instrumentation into the foreground and it just sounds so weird, and the drums feel really flat.

Sleep Well in particular was frustrating because the original version is so pretty and the remaster throws all these bleeps and bloops in your face, and when electric guitar and drums come in halfway through the song it's like they're coming in with a whimper instead of really kicking in

 

Listening to Singularity again, gonna math this one out!

Brink of Disaster - 9/10
Crazy 8s - 6/10
Sometimes I Can't Make It - 6/10
Just Let Go - 8/10
On Top - 4/10
Waiting - 4/10
Sic Semper Tyrannis - 5/10
Release Me - 8/10
Telescopes - 4/10
Rocket - 8/10
Home - 4/10
Reflections - 7/10

Soooo mathematically that means I give the whole thing an average of 6/10, seems about right

And then bonus tracks

Last Transmission - 8/10
Last Transmission II - 7/10
Novocaine - 5/10

 

Just Let Go is one of the cheesiest songs I've ever heard.

 

I really like it though

 

I don't know how to break this to you, but 95% of Mae's music is cheesy...

 

JLG is on another level.

 

I think I rank individual songs much diff but overall I’d say 6.5 - 7.0 is not a bad estimate

 

I love all 3 bonus tracks quite a bit, and honestly most of the uptempo rock stuff on Singularity is the stuff I come back to the most.

 

I think I know what you mean, but “cheesy” strikes me as insincere and hokey. I think their stuff is just whimsical. Mae reminds me of Mew and Falling Up (two other bands I’d put in my favorites) in that their music has a childlike wonder to it. It requires you to suspend your cynicism a bit but it’s deeply moving when you do.

That being said, “Just Let Go” rides the line a bit. Still my favorite on Singularity though. Ha.

 

Singularity is a really bad album. There’s just no other way to put it. I think that everything else that they and Elkins has done has been incredible, but Singularity was a blunder.

 

Dave Elkins announced he's finalizing the album today. From another source, it looks like the album will be self-titled. The track listing (posted by Elkins):

1. SING
2. The Overview
3. 5 Light Years
4. No Promises (10001001001100)
5. You Fall When You Hesitate
6. Our Love is a Painted Picture
7. A Race for our Autonomy
8. Let it Die
9. Simple Words
10. FLOW
11. Kaleidoscope

 

Dave Elkins
Jacob Marshall
Zach Gehring

I think they have some fill in musicians for the album and touring.

 

I’ve listened to Singularity more in the last decade than the Everglow. Honestly, while the Everglow is planted firmly that mid-00s emo scene and time and space, Singularity sounds like it could have been made at basically anytime. There’s something, to me, way more timeless about that album.

Which isn’t to say anything negative about the Everglow. I was in college when it and DB came out and they were my favorite band then. I’d just much rather listen to Singularity (or the EPs) at this point.

 

"Release Me" is one of the greatest songs of all time.

 

Yes!!! Our Love is a Painted Picture is on there!! And the centerpiece no less.

 

I’ll have to go back with a fresh set of ears, my disagreeing-on-many-things friend.

 

I wonder what happened to "Tree Climbers" - that title has been floating around for years.

 

I know that’s your opinion and your are 100% entitled to it, but that is such a bad take. Singularity is such a solid record.

 

Right! I remember that title and then there was one he posted back in the spring called "Call Me Back, Brother."