"A Lesson In Romantics" marks the debut album length release for Florida based MAYDAY PARADE and follows-up an apparently 20,000 copy selling EP put out last year. An album that to my ears possesses a surprising amount of melody and hooks for a band widely labelled as "power-punk" it turned out being one of the more accessible, and upbeat alternative rock albums I've heard in ages. To be honest I struggle with the label somewhat as to me this band encompass more than just a "power-punk" sound.

However, for a few early examples of punchy, anthemic power-pop look no further than the opener "Jamie All Over" or the more melodic and catchy "Jersey". Worthy of greater note though is the heavier "Black Cat" which captures a thumping rhythm close at times to the QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE crossover hit "No One Knows". The big singalong potential of the choruses and the occasional use of the old "whoa-oa" vocal evident now and again surprisingly offers a chance to compare the bands sound to that of the late 80s pop-rock bands but lessons have been learnt as even when the piano ballad is wheeled out the lyric is darker and more honest, akin more to NICKELBACK perhaps even though the song appears to share a fair bit with WARRANT's "I Saw Red".

Highlights for me include the mid-tempo, amusingly titled "I'd Hate To Be You When People Find Out What This Song Is About" which offers the best of too few guitar spotlights, and an excellent final number, the unfeasibly named "You Be The Anchor That Keeps My Feet On The Ground, I'll Be The Wings That Keep Your Heart In The Clouds" which although titled like something JON BON JOVI might serve up turns out something more earthy and packs more of a punch than the sweet title suggests.

There's plenty of singable lyrics, plenty of sharp riffs, and a humour and honesty clearly evident in the titles and lyrics but if there's one complaint it's a lack of big, in your face guitar solo's that I feel some of these songs deserve... but maybe that's just the angle I come at this from as other pieces I've read on this band bring up comparisons to GREEN DAY and FALL OUT BOY, focusing on and indeed praising highly the accessible power-punk captured in the songs too.

All in all though an enjoyable album that should easily generate more sales than their EP, but I have a hunch this band have the ability to break out of the sub-four minute bracket a lot of the songs on here stick at.

- Leslie

OFFICIAL SITE: www.maydayparaderocks.com

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