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A Lesson in Romantics

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A Lesson in Romantics is the debut studio album by American rock band Mayday Parade. The band resulted from the merger of Kid Named Chicago and Defining Moment. In June 2006 the band released an EP, Tales Told by Dead Friends, which they sold to people by following the 2006 edition of Warped Tour and offering copies; it eventually sold 10,000 copies. The band signed to Fearless Records in August. A Lesson in Romantics was recorded in early 2007 with producers Zack Odom and Kenneth Mount. Vocalist/guitarist Jason Lancaster left the band in March 2007 citing a lack of writing credit on the band's releases. Prior to the release of A Lesson in Romantics, "Black Cat", "When I Get Home, You're So Dead", and "Jamie All Over" were made available for streaming. After the album's release, the band participated in the 2007 edition of Warped Tour.

A Lesson in Romantics was released through Fearless in July. A music video for "When I Get Home, You're So Dead" was released in November, and the song was released as a single a month later. "Jamie All Over" was released as a single in May 2008 and a music video for the song was released two months later. The band then toured as part of the 2008 edition of Warped Tour. The music video for "When I Get Home, You're So Dead" earned two MTV Video Music Awards nominations in 2008. In January 2009 a music video was released for "Miserable at Best". A Lesson in Romantics is the band's most commercially successful release, selling over 200,000 copies. It was released on vinyl in November 2011. The album was featured on Rock Sound's 2014 list - The 51 Most Essential Pop Punk Albums of All Time.

Background

Mayday Parade was formed in the winter of 2005 following the merger of two local Tallahassee bands, Kid Named Chicago and Defining Moment.[2][3] Kid Named Chicago featured vocalist/guitarist Jason Lancaster, guitarist Alex Garcia and drummer Jake Bundrick, while Defining Moment featured vocalist Derek Sanders, guitarist Brooks Betts, and bassist Jeremy Lenzo.[3] In June 2006, their EP Tales Told by Dead Friends was released.[4] The band followed the 2006 edition of Warped Tour, selling copies of the EP to people in line.[5] By the end of summer, the group had sold 10,000 copies of the EP.[3] These sales caught the attention of Fearless Records,[6] which signed Mayday Parade on August 29.[7] Fearless label president Bob Becker said the group: "were really believable, they were obviously good musicians, and they were really tight sounding. And we already knew they were hard-working."[3] Between late September and early November, the band went on the Text on the Dance Floor tour with Mêlée, Wheatus, Brandtson, Lakes, and Fall of Transition.[8] Tales Told by Dead Friends was re-released through Fearless on November 7.[7]

Composition and recording

All of the songs on A Lesson in Romantics were written while touring after Warped Tour.[9] The songs are about: "being in a relationship while you're on the road, and the different hardships that come with that."[5] Unlike the band's EP, the album was "more put together" and "more organized", according to Garcia.[9] Sanders thought it stood up "pretty well" to the EP, noting that it was "just as catchy ", but "more powerful."[9] "Jamie All Over" was originally recorded by Kid Named Chicago, Lancaster's previous band.[10] Sanders claimed the song was "kind of a tough one to choose" because the band had a lot of new material to choose from, but felt "pretty happy" with its inclusion.[9] "When I Get Home, You're So Dead" was one of the first songs the band wrote.[11] According to Garcia, the final track was called "You Be the Anchor That Keeps My Feet on the Ground, I'll Be the Wings That Keep Your Heart in the Clouds" because the band was "trying to be poetic".[9]

Mayday Parade went into the studio in January 2007.[12] Recording took place at Tree Sound, located in Atlanta, Georgia.[13] The band worked with producers Zack Odom and Kenneth Mount,[12] who also engineered the sessions.[13] "When I Get Home, You're So Dead" from Tales Told by Dead Friends[10] was re-recorded because the song had previously received a big response from fans.[9] Natalie VanLandingham provided additional vocals on "Jersey", while Daniel Lancaster provided additional vocals on "Jamie All Over".[13] Mixing was done by Mark Needham, while Steve Hall mastered the album at Future Disc, located in McMinnville, Oregon.[13]

Release

Lancaster left the band in March 2007[2] citing a lack of writing credit on the band's releases.[14][nb 1] Lenzo and Bundrick filled in for Lancaster's vocals, while Garcia and Betts performed Lancaster's guitar parts.[9] Garcia said this change made the guitars "sound more clear" and not "clutter[ed]"; on the other hand, the group found it hard working out who should sing Lancaster's parts.[9] Lancaster's departure hurt Sanders personally as "he was a good friend".[9] Later that month, the band supported Plain White T's on their U.S. tour.[15] On April 4, "Black Cat" was made available for streaming via Hot Topic's Myspace profile.[16] On April 13, the release of A Lesson in Romantics was announced.[17] Between early May and late June, the band went on tour with support from Bedlight for Blue Eyes, Driver Side Impact, and Sick City.[18] The track listing was revealed on May 18.[19] On June 6, the band made "When I Get Home, You're So Dead" available for streaming via their Myspace profile.[20] "Jamie All Over" was made available for streaming on June 19 via AbsolutePunk.[21]

A Lesson in Romantics was released on July 10 through Fearless Records.[20][nb 2] Mayday Parade appeared at Dirt Fest in Birch Run, Michigan,[23] before touring as part of the 2007 edition of Warped Tour from mid July to early August.[24] In August, the band went on tour with Olympia and Sound the Alarm.[25] The music video for "When I Get Home, You're So Dead", directed by Marco de la Torre, was filmed in September.[26] In late September 2007, the band supported Paramore in Japan and Australia.[27] The band went on a co-headlining tour with Madina Lake in October and November.[28] The "When I Get Home, You're So Dead" music video was released on November 14,[29] and the single was released on December 3.[30] The band went on the Manwhores and Open Sores Tour alongside All Time Low, Every Avenue, and Just Surrender in January 2008.[31] In April and May, the band went on the Explosions In Your Pants Tour with support from My American Heart and the Graduate.[32] A music video was filmed for "Jamie All Over" in May,[33] and the single was released on May 20.[34]

Mayday Parade went on the 2008 edition of Warped Tour,[35] playing all summer-long for the first time.[3] Sanders explained that the group "finally felt like one of the real bands" on Warped Tour; they "had a bus for the first time this year".[3] Following this, Independent Label Group, who help promote and market Fearless releases, persuaded Target Corporation to sell A Lesson in Romantics in its stores.[3] The video for "Jamie All Over" was released[36] through MTV[37] on July 21.[38] The song was released to radio on September 2.[39] In October and November, the band supported All Time Low on the Compromising of Integrity, Morality, & Principles in Exchange for Money tour.[40] A music video for "Miserable at Best", directed by Mark Staubach,[41] was released on January 9, 2009 on the band's Myspace.[42] On November 21, 2011, the album was released on vinyl with a different colored cover.[43] A white vinyl edition was released a year later, on August 28, 2012.[44]

Reception and legacy

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AbsolutePunk85%[10]
Music Emissions[45]
Sputnikmusic4.5/5[1]

A Lesson in Romantics is considered a fan favorite.[46] Daniel Thompson of Music Emissions wrote that: "every song is spectacular on this album and is a potential hit."[45] Despite its eventual success and acclaim, A Lesson In Romantics received little attention from professional music critics. Reviewers noted the improved sound from the band's debut EP, Tales Told by Dead Friends. Joe DeAndrea from AbsolutePunk.net wrote that: "after their unimpressive release of the EP Tales Told By Dead Friends in November, the band's back with their debut album that will surely become one of your most played of the Summer."[10] Sputnikmusic reviewer Adam Knott gave the album a score of 4.5 out of 5, calling it "a hell of a lot better" than most pop punk records.[1]

A Lesson in Romantics debuted at number 8 on the Billboard Heatseekers Albums chart,[47] staying on the chart for six weeks.[3] The album finally dropped off on the chart dated March 1, 2008 before eventually returning on the chart on July 12.[3] It stayed on the chart for 70 consecutive weeks.[48] The album also charted on the Independent Albums chart, peaking at number 31.[49] In January 2009, it was announced that the album had sold over 100,000 copies.[50] The album would later become the band's biggest selling album, selling over 200,000 copies.[6] "When I Get Home, You're So Dead" was ranked at number 194 on the New York Post's 2007 list of best songs to download.[51] In 2008, the music video for "When I Get Home, You're So Dead" was nominated at the MTV Video Music Awards for Best Rock Video and Video of the Year.[52] The album was number 42 on Rock Sound's The 51 Most Essential Pop Punk Albums of All Time list.[53]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Mayday Parade[13]

No.TitleLength
1."Jamie All Over" (Kid Named Chicago cover)3:36
2."Black Cat"3:23
3."When I Get Home, You're So Dead"3:13
4."Jersey"3:29
5."If You Wanted a Song Written About You, All You Had to Do Was Ask"4:04
6."Miserable at Best"5:20
7."Walk on Water or Drown"3:29
8."Ocean and Atlantic"3:30
9."I'd Hate to Be You When People Find Out What This Song Is About"4:01
10."Take This to Heart"4:07
11."Champagne's for Celebrating (I'll Have a Martini)"3:58
12."You Be the Anchor That Keeps My Feet on the Ground, I'll Be the Wings That Keep Your Heart in the Clouds"4:40
Total length:45:32
2008 reissue bonus tracks[13][nb 3]
Bonus tracks on 2008 reissue
No.TitleLength
13."Three Cheers for Five Years (acoustic)" (taken from Punk Goes Acoustic 2)4:53
14."One Man Drinking Games" (taken from Tales Told by Dead Friends)4:39

Personnel

Personnel per 2008 reissue booklet.[13]

Chart performance

Charts (2007) Peak
position
U.S. Billboard Heatseekers Albums[47] 8
U.S. Billboard Independent Albums[49] 31

References

Footnotes
  1. ^ Lancaster would later form Go Radio.[2]
  2. ^ U.S. Fearless FRL 30099[22]
  3. ^ The reissue was released on April 28, 2008.[54]
Citations
  1. ^ a b c Knott, Adam (December 29, 2008). "Mayday Parade A Lesson In Romantics". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  2. ^ a b c Apar, Corey. "Mayday Parade | Biography". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 6 May 2016. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Mayday Parade". Billboard. August 29, 2008. Retrieved September 11, 2015.
  4. ^ "Mayday Parade". Fearlessrecords.com. Archived from the original on October 15, 2006. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  5. ^ a b Erickson 2007, p. 13
  6. ^ a b Pryor, Terrance (December 30, 2014). "Mayday Parade: From following Warped Tour to selling out shows". AXS. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  7. ^ a b Aubin (August 29, 2006). "Fearless signs Mayday Parade". Punknews.org. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  8. ^ Tao, Paul (September 12, 2006). "Melee's Upcoming Tour Dates". AbsolutePunk.net. Archived from the original on July 18, 2014. Retrieved August 28, 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i Pham, Jamie (June 15, 2007). "Mayday Parade - 06.15.07". AbsolutePunk.net. Archived from the original on August 28, 2015. Retrieved August 28, 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  10. ^ a b c d DeAndrea, Joe (June 26, 2007). "Mayday Parade - A Lesson in Romantics". AbsolutePunk.net. Archived from the original on July 16, 2007. Retrieved August 28, 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  11. ^ Sharp, Tyler (July 27, 2016). "Mayday Parade announce 'Tales Told By Dead Friends' 10-year tour". Alternative Press. Retrieved July 27, 2016.
  12. ^ a b Aubin (December 15, 2006). "Mayday Parade enters the studio". Punknews.org. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g A Lesson in Romantics (Booklet). Mayday Parade. Fearless. 2008 [First released in 2007]. FRL 30099-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  14. ^ Stokes, Alyson (February 6, 2015). "The 5 things you feel when a member leaves your favorite band". Alternative Press. Retrieved August 30, 2015.
  15. ^ Aubin (December 18, 2006). "Tours: Plain White T's / Boys Night Out / Lovedrug / Mayday Parade / Dear and the Headlights". Punknews.org. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  16. ^ Kohli, Rohan (April 4, 2007). "Mayday Parade Announces Album Title + Release Date". AbsolutePunk.net. Archived from the original on August 28, 2015. Retrieved August 29, 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  17. ^ DeAndrea, Joe (April 13, 2007). "New Mayday Parade Song". AbsolutePunk.net. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved August 29, 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  18. ^ Aubin (May 10, 2007). "Tours: Mayday Parade / Bedlight For Blue Eyes / Driver Side Impact / Sick CIty". Punknews.org. Retrieved August 29, 2015.
  19. ^ DeAndrea, Joe (May 18, 2007). "Mayday Parade Track Listing". AbsolutePunk.net. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved August 29, 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  20. ^ a b Allin, Brandon (June 6, 2007). "Mayday Parade Post Re-Recorded Album Track". AbsolutePunk.net. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved August 29, 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  21. ^ Press, Garett (June 19, 2007). "ABSOLUTExclusive: Mayday Parade". AbsolutePunk.net. Archived from the original on August 29, 2015. Retrieved August 29, 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  22. ^ "A Lesson in Romantics - Mayday Parade | Release Information, Reviews and Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved August 29, 2015.
  23. ^ "As Cities Burn, Alesana, Mayday Parade added to Dirt Fest". Alternative Press. July 12, 2007. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  24. ^ "Throwdown added to Warped 07; Madina Lake drop off". Alternative Press. April 26, 2007. Retrieved August 21, 2016.
  25. ^ Villagomez, Adrian (July 28, 2007). "Sound the Alarm Tour". AbsolutePunk.net. Archived from the original on August 29, 2015. Retrieved August 29, 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  26. ^ DeAndrea, Joe (August 29, 2007). "Mayday Parade To Shoot Music Video". AbsolutePunk.net. Archived from the original on March 7, 2016. Retrieved August 29, 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  27. ^ Allin, Brandon (September 12, 2007). "Paramore to Tour Overseas with Mayday Parade". AbsolutePunk.net. Archived from the original on July 7, 2014. Retrieved August 29, 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  28. ^ "Madina Lake Announces U.s. Headlining Tour". prlog.org. Retrieved August 29, 2015.
  29. ^ Aubin (November 14, 2007). "Videos: Mayday Parade: "When I Get Home, You're So Dead"". Punknews.org. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  30. ^ "iTunes - Music - When I Get Home You're So Dead (New Version) - Single by Mayday Parade". iTunes. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  31. ^ DeAndrea, Joe (November 19, 2007). "Manwhores And Open Sores Tour". AbsolutePunk.net. Archived from the original on August 29, 2015. Retrieved August 29, 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  32. ^ "Mayday Parade/My American Heart announce tour". Alternative Press. February 22, 2008. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  33. ^ Conny, Julia (May 1, 2008). "Mayday Parade Casting Call". AbsolutePunk.net. Archived from the original on November 5, 2015. Retrieved August 29, 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  34. ^ "iTunes - Music - Jamie All Over - Single by Mayday Parade". iTunes. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  35. ^ Aubin (February 26, 2008). "Warped Tour unveils final band lineup for 2008". Punknews.org. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  36. ^ Anitai, Tamar (July 28, 2008). "New Video: Mayday Parade, 'Jamie All Over'". MTV. Retrieved August 29, 2015.
  37. ^ Adam (July 24, 2008). "Videos: Mayday Parade: "Jamie All Over"". Punknews.org. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  38. ^ Kohli, Rohan (July 18, 2008). "Mayday Parade Video Premiere Date". AbsolutePunk.net. Archived from the original on March 7, 2016. Retrieved August 29, 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  39. ^ "AllAccess.com Alternative eWeekly". AllAccess. August 26, 2008. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  40. ^ Adam (August 2, 2008). "Tours: All Time Low, Mayday Parade, the Maine, Every Avenue". Punknews.org. Retrieved August 29, 2015.
  41. ^ Daniel (January 27, 2009). "New Video: Mayday Parade, 'Miserable At Best'". MTV. Retrieved August 29, 2015.
  42. ^ "Mayday Parade to premiere new video tomorrow". Alternative Press. January 8, 2009. Retrieved August 29, 2015.
  43. ^ "Mayday Parade – A Lesson In Romantics Vinyl". Fearless Records. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
  44. ^ "Mayday Parade – A Lesson In Romantics (White Vinyl)". Fearless Records. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
  45. ^ a b Thompson, Daniel (July 31, 2007). "MAYDAY PARADE - A LESSON IN ROMANTICS". Music Emissions. Archived from the original on October 11, 2007. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  46. ^ Beringer, Drew. "Mayday Parade - Black Lines - Album Review". AbsolutePunk. Archived from the original on March 19, 2016. Retrieved October 30, 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  47. ^ a b "Mayday Parade - Chart history (Heatseekers Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved February 10, 2014.
  48. ^ Fanelli, Damian (July 11, 2013). "Exclusive: Mayday Parade Post Behind-the-Scenes Video, "Studio Update No. 3 — Guitars"". Guitar World. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  49. ^ a b "Mayday Parade - Chart history (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved February 10, 2014.
  50. ^ DeAndrea, Joe (January 7, 2009). "Mayday Parade Surpasses 100,000". AbsolutePunk.net. Archived from the original on November 26, 2015. Retrieved August 29, 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  51. ^ Huhn, Mary (December 28, 2007). "207 BEST SONGS TO DOWNLOAD FROM 2007". New York Post. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  52. ^ Anitai, Tamar (August 12, 2008). "Daily VMA Update: Mayday Parade Cuts to the Chase With Their Nomination Plea". MTV. Retrieved August 29, 2015.
  53. ^ Bird, ed. 2014, p. 69
  54. ^ Parsons, Neil (April 1, 2008). "Mayday Parade - A Lesson in Romantics". The Skinny. Retrieved May 19, 2016.
Bibliography
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