Mayday Parade (album)

Mayday Parade
Studio album by
Mayday Parade
ReleasedOctober 4, 2011
RecordedFebruary 24 – April 17, 2011
Vinatage Song Studio, Alpharetta, Georgia
Tree Sound Studios, Norcross, Georgia
Genre
Length45:24
Label
Producer
  • Zack Odom
  • Kenneth Mount
Mayday Parade chronology
Valdosta
(2011) 		Mayday Parade
(2011) 		Monsters in the Closet
(2013)
Singles from Mayday Parade
  1. "Oh Well, Oh Well"
    Released: August 1, 2011
  2. "When You See My Friends"
    Released: September 9, 2011

Mayday Parade is the third studio album by American rock band Mayday Parade. It was released by Fearless on October 4, 2011. It was also released through Independent Label Group, after the band departed Atlantic Records. Produced by Zack Odom and Kenneth Mount, the album sees the band writing all the material again, compared to their previous album Anywhere but Here (2009).

The album debuted at number 12 on the U.S. Billboard 200, selling near to 27,000 copies in its first week, becoming the band's second highest charted album to date. It also reached number four on the US Top Alternative Albums and number five on the US Top Rock Albums charts.

Background and production

In March 2009, it was announced Mayday Parade had signed to Atlantic.[3] While working on their major label debut, Anywhere but Here (2009), Atlantic expected the band to make a pop album.[4] While the band attempted to follow this direction, they were weighed down by "so much overbearing pressure", according to guitarist Brooks Betts.[4] Vocalist Derek Sanders later recalled that "there was a lot of outside influence" from Atlantic that resulted in "a lot of co-writes".[5] In retrospect, Sanders said the band simply recorded songs that they "didn't care about as much or love as much".[5] Brooks pointed out that it wasn't "the best representation [of the band]."[4]

The album was written by the band during early 2011, at a beach house in Panacea, Florida.[6] For this album, the band wrote all of the material.[7] "Stay" is about pain experienced when losing a loved one.[8] The album was recorded over the course of two months, they began recording with Zack Odom and Kenneth Mount in February,[4] and the record was reportedly completed "[the band's] way," not "someone else's way," on April 18.[9] Recording took place at Vinatage Song Studio in Alpharetta, Georgia and at Tree Sound Studios in Norcross, Georgia.[10] Sanders said the band "pushed themselves outside of their typical boundaries," creatively expanding on the instrumentals.[11] The group brought in a string section for certain tracks.[12] He also spoke about doing the process their way, stating, "I think we've found the perfect formula for how to do it. We'll probably do the same thing in the future — it'll be us in a beach house in Florida for about a month and write most of the album there [...] getting away from everything and having no distractions."[13]

The album's artwork was created by Jerrod Landon Porter and the CD booklet features an eight panel comic book.[14]

Release

On July 6, 2011, Mayday Parade was announced for release and the track listing was revealed.[7] In July and August, the band supported All Time Low on their North America tour.[15] "Oh Well, Oh Well" was made available for streaming via Alternative Press on July 27.[16] On July 31, the artwork was revealed.[17] "Oh Well, Oh Well" was released as a single on August 1.[18] On September 8, "When You See My Friends" was made available for streaming via MTV,[19] and was released as a single a day later.[20] Short clips of every song on the album were made available for steaming on September 22.[21] On October 3, Mayday Parade was made available for streaming,[22] and was released a day later[23] through ILG.[24] On October 7, a music video was released for "Oh Well, Oh Well",[25] which was directed by Thunder Down Country.[26] In October and November, the band went on The Noise Tour with support from We Are the in Crowd, There for Tomorrow, You Me at Six, The Make[27] and Sparks the Rescue.[28]

In January 2012, the band filmed a music video for "Stay"[29] in Ohio.[30] In February and March, the band went on a co-headlining tour with We the Kings, with support from The Downtown Fiction and Anarbor.[13] The band supported You Me at Six on their tour of the UK in March and April.[31] On April 4, the "Stay" music video was released,[32] which was directed by Thunder Down Country.[30] On April 12, the band released an acoustic version of "When You See My Friends" as a free download.[33] The band went on the 2012 edition of Warped Tour.[34] In early June, the band toured Japan on the 2012 edition of the Beyond [The] Blue tour.[35] In September, the group performed at the Bazooka Rocks Festival in the Philippines, along with The Maine, Forever the Sickest Kids, The Pretty Reckless, A Skylit Drive and Marianas Trench.[36] The band went on co-headlining tour with The Maine, with support from The Postelles, in October and November.[37] In December, the band went on a short Australian tour with We Are the in Crowd and Heroes for Hire.[38] On December 4, the band released a live music video for "When You See My Friends".[39]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AbsolutePunk70%[2]
AllMusicStarStarStar[40]
Alternative AddictionStarStarStarHalf star[41]
Alter the Press!StarStarStarStarHalf star[42]
MelodicStarStarStarHalf star[43]
The MusicStarStarStarStar[44]
Sputnikmusic4/5[45]
Rockfreaks.netStarStarStarStarStarStarHalf star[46]

'Mayday Parade was met with positive reviews from music critics. Many critics praised the songwriting on the album, which had been written by the band, compared to Anywhere but Here, their previous album. Jason Lymangrover of AllMusic said, "The most notable change is that the songs on their third outing were written solely by the band. However, with the same production team behind their sound, the same bouncy four-chord blueprint, and the same prevalence for soft verses vs. loud choruses, the changes behind the curtain are barely noticeable."[40] Alternative Addiction wrote, "Mayday Parade going independent allowed them to be able to write all of their own material again. That's something that fits best with what they do. Because of this, the songs sound more appropriate to what the band does well. It doesn't feel like they're trying to do something they're not capable of."[41] Pär Winberg of Melodic felt that it was their "best album to date," stating, "you can't be anything else than impressed by the band who penned all the tracks themselves."[43] Writing for Sputnikmusic, Davey Boy stated, "While the choruses here are all made for being easily recited en masse, they are strangely not as instantly infectious as some of the band's past work. Promisingly, this is more a sign of improved song-craft which gives this album greater replay value than its predecessor Anywhere But Here."[45] A staff writer from The Music remarked, "With their third full length, Mayday Parade has definitely returned to form. They have left behind all the big technical production elements that hindered their last release and have taken it back to basics, showing fans what they do best by creating a solid pop rock album full of massive hooks played out through back and forth dual vocals and upbeat instrument lines."[44]

The album was ranked at number 4 on PopMatters' best pop punk releases of 2011 list.[1] Reflecting on the album, Derek Sanders described it as "a big turning point for the band." With the first two albums, he said the band "hadn't planted our roots yet," though by the third album, "we knew exactly what we wanted and who we were as a band. Everything fell into place; it was the right time, the right songs and when I think back over all our records, it's the one that really stands out for me."[47]

Commercial performance

Mayday Parade was projected to sell 25,000 copies,[48] it eventually sold near to 27,000 copies in the first week,[49] an increase of 30% over their previous album's first week sales.[8] The album debuted at number 12 on the Billboard 200.[8] "Stay" charted at number 26 on the Rock Digital Songs chart in the U.S.[50] The album has sold over 100,000 copies in the US as of 2014.[51]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Mayday Parade[10]

No.TitleLength
1."Oh Well, Oh Well"4:49
2."No Heroes Allowed"3:34
3."When You See My Friends"3:34
4."You're Dead Wrong"3:59
5."Priceless"3:18
6."Stay"3:34
7."Call Me Hopeless, Not Romantic"3:29
8."A Shot Across the Bow"3:45
9."Everything's an Illusion"3:27
10."I'd Rather Make Mistakes Than Nothing at All"3:45
11."Without the Bitter the Sweet Isn't as Sweet"3:32
12."Happy Endings Are Stories That Haven't Ended Yet"4:38
Total length:45:24
Bonus tracks
iTunes deluxe edition bonus tracks
No.TitleLength
13."When You See My Friends" (acoustic)3:25
14."Oh Well, Oh Well" (acoustic)4:43
Total length:53:32

Personnel

Personnel per digital booklet.[10]

Charts

Chart performance for Mayday Parade
Chart (2011) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[52] 84
UK Album Downloads (OCC)[53] 86
US Billboard 200[54] 12
US Top Alternative Albums (Billboard)[55] 4
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[56] 2
US Tastemaker Albums (Billboard)[57] 3
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[58] 5

References

Footnotes
Citations
  1. ^ a b Hauck, Kiel (December 14, 2011). "The Best Pop-Punk of 2011". PopMatters. p. 1. Archived from the original on August 31, 2015. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
  2. ^ a b Beringer, Drew. "Mayday Parade – Mayday Parade – Album Review". AbsolutePunk.net. Retrieved September 11, 2015.
  3. ^ "Mayday Parade sign to Atlantic". Alternative Press. March 31, 2009. Archived from the original on August 30, 2015. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
  4. ^ a b c d Lesemann, T. Ballard (April 20, 2011). "Mayday Parade asserts a new sense of independence". Charleston City Paper. Archived from the original on August 31, 2015. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
  5. ^ a b Tsai, Matthew (May 10, 2011). "Sitting Down With Derek Sanders". AbsolutePunk.net. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
  6. ^ Bundrick, Jake. "Writing Blog Update 1". MaydayParade.com. Archived from the original on July 14, 2011. Retrieved August 20, 2011.
  7. ^ a b "Mayday Parade set to release new self-titled album October 4th". Alternative Press. July 6, 2011. Archived from the original on September 1, 2015. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
  8. ^ a b c "Learn to Play Mayday Parade's Hit "Stay"". Keyboard. July 25, 2012. Archived from the original on August 31, 2015. Retrieved August 30, 2015.
  9. ^ Karan, Tim (April 18, 2011). "Mayday Parade finishing recording album No. 3". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on September 1, 2015. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
  10. ^ a b c Mayday Parade (Digital booklet). Mayday Parade. Fearless. 2011. p. 8.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  11. ^ "Mayday Parade Talk New Album". Alternative Addiction. May 20, 2011. Archived from the original on April 28, 2017. Retrieved April 21, 2026.
  12. ^ Newman, Jason (September 27, 2011). "Fall Music Preview 2011: Britney Spears, Joe Jonas, Demi Lovato, Evanescence, Rihanna, Drake & More". MTV. Archived from the original on September 29, 2011. Retrieved September 2, 2015.
  13. ^ a b Alison Kopki (March 2, 2012). "Interview With Derek Sanders From Mayday Parade: Re-Energized". The Aquarian Weekly. Retrieved April 21, 2026.
  14. ^ "Mayday Parade 'Self-Titled Album & Tour Stage'". art.iheartjlp.com. Retrieved April 21, 2026.
  15. ^ "All Time Low announce tour with The Starting Line, Mayday Parade, We Are The In Crowd and more". Alternative Press. Alternative Press Magazine, Inc. May 14, 2011. Archived from the original on September 18, 2017. Retrieved June 5, 2017.
  16. ^ Heisel, Scott (July 27, 2011). "Exclusive Stream: Mayday Parade's "Oh Well, Oh Well"". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on November 17, 2011. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
  17. ^ Beringer, Drew (July 31, 2011). "Mayday Artwork". AbsolutePunk.net. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
  18. ^ "iTunes – Music – Oh Well, Oh Well – Single by Mayday Parade". iTunes. Archived from the original on August 28, 2015. Retrieved August 30, 2015.
  19. ^ James, Nicole (September 8, 2011). "Song Premiere: Mayday Parade, 'When You See My Friends'". MTV. Archived from the original on June 24, 2012. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
  20. ^ "iTunes – Music – When You See My Friends – Single by Mayday Parade". iTunes. September 9, 2011. Archived from the original on June 16, 2014. Retrieved February 9, 2014.
  21. ^ Common, Tyler (September 22, 2011). "Preview Mayday Parade's new self-titled album". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on September 1, 2015. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
  22. ^ Bird, Michele (October 3, 2011). "Stream Mayday Parade's new self-titled album". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on September 1, 2015. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
  23. ^ "Mayday Parade Readies New Album". Alternative Addiction. July 21, 2011. Archived from the original on April 28, 2017. Retrieved April 16, 2026.
  24. ^ "Mayday Parade - Recording Mayday Parade". YouTube. August 13, 2011. Retrieved April 16, 2026.
  25. ^ Newman, Jason (October 7, 2011). "Video Premiere: Mayday Parade, 'Oh Well, Oh Well'". MTV. Archived from the original on December 10, 2011. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
  26. ^ "Mayday Parade | Oh Well, Oh Well | Music Video". MTV. October 7, 2011. Archived from the original on September 1, 2015. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
  27. ^ "Mayday Parade Headlines Inaugural 'The Noise Tour Powered by Journeys' a House of Blues Entertainment and Journeys Collaboration". PRNewswire. August 25, 2011. Retrieved April 16, 2026.
  28. ^ Bird, Michele (September 9, 2011). "Sparks The Rescue join Mayday Parade tour for select dates". Alternative Press. Alternative Press Magazine, Inc. Archived from the original on December 22, 2017. Retrieved December 16, 2017.
  29. ^ Bird, Michele (January 18, 2012). "Go Behind The Scenes Of Mayday Parade's 'Stay' Video". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on September 1, 2015. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
  30. ^ a b Greenwald, David (July 31, 2012). "Go Behind The Scenes Of Mayday Parade's 'Stay' Video". MTV. Archived from the original on August 1, 2012. Retrieved September 2, 2015.
  31. ^ Bird, Michele (October 17, 2011). "Mayday Parade announce UK tour with You Me At Six". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on September 1, 2015. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
  32. ^ David Greenwald (April 4, 2012). "Video Premiere: Mayday Parade, 'Stay'". MTV. Archived from the original on September 3, 2023. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  33. ^ Common, Tyler (April 12, 2012). "Mayday Parade reach one million Facebook fans, release free download". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on September 1, 2015. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
  34. ^ Aubin (January 25, 2012). "Make Do and Mend, Vanna, Mayday Parade join Warped Tour". Punknews.org. Archived from the original on September 1, 2015. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
  35. ^ "BEYOND[THE]BLUE". beyondtheblue.jp. February 2012. Archived from the original on September 2, 2015. Retrieved September 2, 2015.
  36. ^ Yancey, Bryne (June 4, 2012). "Mayday Parade, the Maine, Forever The Sickest Kids to play festival in Philippines". Alternative Press. Alternative Press Magazine, Inc. Archived from the original on July 14, 2012. Retrieved December 26, 2017.
  37. ^ Bird, Michele (August 6, 2012). "The Maine announce co-headlining tour with Mayday Parade". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on September 1, 2015. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
  38. ^ Mann, Tom (October 14, 2012). "The Maine announce co-headlining tour with Mayday Parade". fasterlouder.com.au. Archived from the original on September 1, 2015. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
  39. ^ Cassie Whitt (December 4, 2012). "Mayday Parade release 'When You See My Friends' video". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on January 21, 2013. Retrieved April 16, 2026.
  40. ^ a b Lymangrover, Jason. "Mayday Parade – Mayday Parade | Songs, reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Archived from the original on September 29, 2015. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
  41. ^ a b "Mayday Parade - Mayday Parade". Alternative Addiction. Archived from the original on July 19, 2019. Retrieved April 16, 2026.
  42. ^ Marshman, Chris. "Album Review – Mayday Parade". alterthepress.com. Archived from the original on November 10, 2011. Retrieved October 9, 2011.
  43. ^ a b Winberg, Pär (November 3, 2011). "Mayday Parade – Mayday Parade". Melodic. Retrieved April 16, 2026.
  44. ^ a b "Album Review: Mayday Parade – Mayday Parade". The Music. November 6, 2011. Retrieved April 16, 2026.
  45. ^ a b Boy, Davey (October 10, 2011). "Review: Mayday Parade – Mayday Parade". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved September 10, 2015.
  46. ^ Larsen, Tim. "Mayday Parade – Mayday Parade album review". Rockfreaks.net. Archived from the original on October 16, 2011. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
  47. ^ Jake Richardson (February 12, 2020). "Derek Sanders Ranks Mayday Parade's Albums, Talks New Solo EP". Note to Scene. Retrieved April 16, 2026.
  48. ^ Caulfield, Keith (October 5, 2011). "Scotty McCreery Poised to Top Billboard 200 With Debut". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 11, 2015. Retrieved September 11, 2015.
  49. ^ Hauck, Kiel (November 17, 2011). "Mayday Parade 21 October 2011 – Indianapolis, IN". PopMatters. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
  50. ^ "Mayday Parade – Chart history (Rock Digital Songs)". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 13, 2015. Retrieved February 10, 2014.
  51. ^ Kenneth Mount (March 24, 2014). "Another @Mayday_Parade plaque for the studio wall! Over 100,000 sold . Mayday parade self titled #tiiiiiiiiight". Twitter. Archived from the original on August 19, 2014. Retrieved July 29, 2014.
  52. ^ "Chartifacts – Week Commencing: 10th October 2011". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on October 8, 2011. Retrieved July 16, 2015.
  53. ^ "Official Album Downloads Chart on 9/10/2011 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  54. ^ "Mayday Parade Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 23, 2015. Retrieved February 10, 2014.
  55. ^ "Mayday Parade Chart History (Alternative Albums)". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 3, 2015. Retrieved February 10, 2014.
  56. ^ "Mayday Parade Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 1, 2015. Retrieved February 10, 2014.
  57. ^ "Mayday Parade Chart History (Tastemaker Albums)". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 2, 2015. Retrieved February 10, 2014.
  58. ^ "Mayday Parade Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 2, 2015. Retrieved February 10, 2014.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.