Anywhere but Here (Mayday Parade album)

Anywhere but Here is the second studio album by American rock band Mayday Parade, released on October 6, 2009. The band started writing Anywhere but Here in January 2009, working with several co-writers. The band signed to Atlantic in March 2009. Later that month, the band started recording at House of Loud in Elmwood Park, New Jersey. The album's production was handled by producer David Bendeth. "The Silence" was released as a single in August and was followed by Anywhere but Here, released through Fearless Records, a couple of months later. "Kids in Love" was released as a single in May 2010. "Anywhere but Here" was released as a single in September.

Anywhere but Here
Studio album by
ReleasedOctober 6, 2009
RecordedMarch 2009
StudioHouse of Loud, Elmwood Park, New Jersey
Genre
Length38:37
Label
ProducerDavid Bendeth
Mayday Parade chronology
A Lesson in Romantics
(2007)
Anywhere but Here
(2009)
Valdosta
(2011)
Singles from Anywhere but Here
  1. "The Silence"
    Released: August 4, 2009
  2. "Kids in Love"
    Released: May 18, 2010
  3. "Anywhere but Here"
    Released: September 20, 2010

Background and recording

edit

Vocalist/guitarist Jason Lancaster left Mayday Parade in March 2007[3] citing a lack of writing credit on the band's releases.[4][nb 1] Bassist Jeremy Lenzo and drummer Jake Bundrick filled in for Lancaster's vocals, while guitarists Alex Garcia and Brooks Betts performed Lancaster's guitar parts.[5] The band's debut album, A Lesson in Romantics, was released in July[6] through independent label Fearless Records.[7] In early January 2009, the band began the writing process for a new album, which was expected to be released in the summer through Fearless Records.[8] On March 31, it was announced the band had signed to major label Atlantic Records.[9]

In late March, the band entered the studio[10] with 50 songs.[11] On March 30, the band started recording.[12] The group picked the 11 best songs, plus a couple that were later released on the deluxe edition.[11][nb 2] The album was recorded and mixed at House of Loud in Elmwood Park, New Jersey[13] with producer David Bendeth.[14] The band were initially in talks with two other producers but chose Bendeth, according to Sanders, as "it just really made sense. [...] He brought a lot to the songs and we even did a little bit of writing with him."[11] Sanders also mentioned that Bendeth "had a lot more to do with everything and had a heavier hand in everything".[15] Bundrick said Bendeth put him through "drummer boot camp" and revealed that Bendeth is "not afraid to tell you how he feels about your playing or how much you may suck in a certain area."[16] The group let Bendeth have his way as they "didn't really want to make Atlantic mad."[15]

Composition

edit

Bundrick claimed the band didn't want to make this new album "too different", compared to A Lesson in Romantics. The band focused on "making the heavy parts heavier and the sad parts more sad."[12] Sanders later recalled that "there was a lot of outside influence" from Atlantic Records that resulted in "a lot of co-writes".[15] The label expected the band to release a pop album. While the band attempted to follow this direction, they were weighed down by "so much overbearing pressure", according to Betts.[17]

"Kids in Love" was written by the band and Gregg Wattenberg. "Anywhere But Here" was written by the band and David Hodges. "The Silence", "If You Can't Live Without Me, Why Aren't You Dead Yet?", "Save Your Heart", and "Get Up" were written by the band and Bobby Huff. "Still Breathing" was written by the band and Dave Bassett. "Bruised and Scarred" was written by the band, Huff, and David Bendeth. "Center of Attention" was written by the band, Sam Hollander, and Dave Katz. "I Swear This Time I Mean It" and "The End" were written by the band.[13]

Release

edit

In mid-June 2009, Sanders performed an untitled new song during a show in New Jersey.[18] On June 24, the band's next album was announced for release in October.[19] In July and August, the band went on a tour of the US with Metro Station.[20] On July 28, the album's title was revealed: Anywhere but Here. The title-track was made available for streaming via Myspace the following day. "The Silence" was released as a single on August 4.[21] On August 20, the album's track listing was revealed.[22] On September 1, the album's art work was revealed.[23] The art work was done by John Ryan Solis, while Kristie Borgmann was the art manager and Alex Kirzhner helped with the design.[13] On September 15, a music video was released for "Anywhere by Here" via Myspace.[24] Between September 24 and November 14, the band went on the AP Fall Ball Tour, alongside The Academy Is..., Set Your Goals, The Secret Handshake and You Me at Six.[25]

On September 29, 2009 a music video was released for "The Silence" via mtvU.[26] The video was directed by RAGE.[27] It shows a woman who is close to having a nervous breakdown, with scenes of the band performing in an abandoned trailer park.[28] That same day, "Get Up" was made available for streaming.[29] Anywhere but Here was released on October 6 through Atlantic.[21] On the same day, "The Silence" was released to radio,[30] and again on November 3.[31] In November and December, the band toured with The Dangerous Summer.[32] Between January and March 2010, the band went on the 2010 edition of the Take Action Tour,[33] supporting We the Kings.[34] In February, it was announced that a music video was being filmed for "Kids in Love".[35] The band supported Madina Lake on their tour of Europe between late March and mid April.[36]

A music video for "Kids in Love" was released on April 1, 2010, but was shortly removed.[37] The video was directed by Josh Mond.[37] The video features a graphic depiction of a group of people on a road trip, taking drugs engaging in various sexual acts and streaking through a desert.[37] Sanders explained that the band wanted to do something different from their previous music videos.[37] Upon seeing the plot for the "Kids in Love" video the group thought it was "really cool and really interesting. It would get people talking".[37] However, after seeing the final version, Sanders was "pretty shocked" and found it more explicit than intended.[37] The band's fans were upset with the video.[37] Eventually, the band released a "clean" version of the video.[37] "Kids in Love" was released to mainstream radio on April 6,[38] and released as a single on May 18.[39]

In May 2010, the band supported Sing It Loud.[40] The band went on the 2010 edition of Warped Tour.[41] On September 20, "Anywhere but Here" was released as a single.[42] In September and October, the band went on a UK tour with The Maine.[43] The band headlined the Fearless Friends Tour, with support from Breathe Carolina, Every Avenue, Artist vs. Poet, and Go Radio,[44] in October and November.[45] This became the band's first ever headlining tour.[44] A music video for "Get Up" was released on January 31, 2011.[46] The band would later record "Kids in Love" and "Bruised and Scarred" acoustically for the Valdosta (2011) EP.[47]

Reception

edit
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AbsolutePunk77%[1]
AllMusic     [48]
The Gazette (Cedar Rapids)Favorable[49]
Melodic      [50]
Rock Sound7/10[51]
Sputnikmusic3/5[2]

The album generally received mixed to positive reviews from critics. In his review for AllMusic, Andrew Leahey commented that the album was "entirely risk-free" but that the band does "an adequate job".[48]

Anywhere but Here debuted at number 31 on the Billboard 200.[52] In retrospect, Sanders said the band simply recorded songs that they "didn't care about as much or love as much".[15] Brooks pointed out that it wasn't "the best representation [of the band]."[17]

Track listing

edit

All arrangements by Mayday Parade and David Bendeth.[13]

  1. "Kids in Love" (Mayday Parade, Gregg Wattenberg) – 3:36
  2. "Anywhere But Here" (Mayday Parade, David Hodges) – 3:09
  3. "The Silence" (Mayday Parade, Bobby Huff) – 3:35
  4. "Still Breathing" (Mayday Parade, Dave Bassett) – 3:52
  5. "Bruised and Scarred" (Mayday Parade, Huff, David Bendeth) – 3:23
  6. "If You Can't Live Without Me, Why Aren't You Dead Yet?" (Mayday Parade, Huff) – 3:38
  7. "Save Your Heart" (Mayday Parade, Huff) – 3:42
  8. "Get Up" (Mayday Parade, Huff) – 3:03
  9. "Center of Attention" (Mayday Parade, Sam Hollander, Dave Katz) – 3:01
  10. "I Swear This Time I Mean It" (Mayday Parade) – 4:01
  11. "The End" (Mayday Parade) – 3:37

Bonus tracks

iTunes deluxe edition bonus tracks
No.TitleLength
12."So Far Away"4:38
13."The Memory"4:10
14."The Silence" (music video)3:34
15."Anywhere But Here" (music video)3:13

Personnel

edit

Personnel per digital booklet.[13]

Mayday Parade

  • Brooks Betts – rhythm guitar
  • Jake Bundrick – drums, backing vocals
  • Derek Sanders – lead vocals, keyboards, acoustic guitar
  • Alex Garcia – lead guitar
  • Jeremy Lenzo – bass guitar, backing vocals

Production

  • David Bendeth – producer, mixing
  • Dan Korneff – digital editing, engineer, mixing engineer
  • John Bender – digital editing, engineer
  • Kato Khandwala – digital editing, engineer
  • Mitch Milan – assistant engineer
  • Alex Kirzhner – art direction, design
  • John Ryan Solis – cover illustration
  • Connie Makita – secret art friend
  • Andrew Zaeh – photography
  • Kristie Borgmann – art manager
  • Michelle Piza – packaging manager

Charts

edit
Chart performance for Anywhere but Here
Chart (2009) Peak
position
US Billboard 200[52] 31
US Top Alternative Albums (Billboard)[53] 8
US Digital Albums (Billboard)[54] 12
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[55] 12

References

edit

Footnotes

  1. ^ Lancaster would later form Go Radio.[3]
  2. ^ The deluxe edition tracks were "So Far Away" and "The Memory".

Citations

  1. ^ a b Aaron, Jeremy (October 16, 2009). "Mayday Parade - Anywhere but Here - Album Review". AbsolutePunk.net. Archived from the original on October 19, 2009. Retrieved August 29, 2015.
  2. ^ a b Knott, Adam (October 19, 2009). "Mayday Parade – Anywhere But Here (album review)". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  3. ^ a b Apar, Corey. "Mayday Parade | Biography". AllMusic. Archived from the original on May 6, 2016. Retrieved August 30, 2015.
  4. ^ Stokes, Alyson (February 6, 2015). "The 5 things you feel when a member leaves your favorite band". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on August 30, 2015. Retrieved August 30, 2015.
  5. ^ Pham, Jamie (June 15, 2007). "Mayday Parade - 06.15.07". AbsolutePunk.net. Archived from the original on August 28, 2015. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  6. ^ DeAndrea, Joe (April 13, 2007). "New Mayday Parade Song". AbsolutePunk.net. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved August 30, 2015.
  7. ^ Allin, Brandon (June 6, 2007). "Mayday Parade Post Re-Recorded Album Track". AbsolutePunk.net. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved August 30, 2015.
  8. ^ "Mayday Parade to begin writing process for new record". Alternative Press. Alternative Press Magazine, Inc. January 5, 2009. Archived from the original on July 30, 2017. Retrieved July 30, 2017.
  9. ^ "Mayday Parade sign to Atlantic". Alternative Press. March 31, 2009. Archived from the original on August 30, 2015. Retrieved August 30, 2015.
  10. ^ Kraft, Mike (March 28, 2009). "Mayday Parade Heading Into Studio". AbsolutePunk.net. Retrieved August 29, 2015.
  11. ^ a b c Vick, Megan (November 11, 2009). "Mayday Parade is Anywhere But Here with Blast". Blast Magazine. Archived from the original on August 31, 2015. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  12. ^ a b "Mayday Parade announce plans to record new album". Alternative Press. March 5, 2009. Archived from the original on August 30, 2015. Retrieved August 30, 2015.
  13. ^ a b c d e Anywhere but Here (Digital booklet). Mayday Parade. Fearless. 2009.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  14. ^ Meg (May 6, 2009). "Mayday Parade enter studio". Punknews.org. Archived from the original on August 29, 2015. Retrieved August 29, 2015.
  15. ^ a b c d Tsai, Matthew (May 10, 2011). "Sitting Down With Derek Sanders". AbsolutePunk.net. Retrieved August 30, 2015.
  16. ^ "Jake Bundrick of Mayday Parade". Modern Drummer. November 2, 2009. Archived from the original on August 31, 2015. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  17. ^ a b 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 August 31, 2015.
  18. ^ "A teaser of Mayday Parade's new record". Alternative Press. Alternative Press Magazine, Inc. June 14, 2009. Archived from the original on August 22, 2017. Retrieved August 21, 2017.
  19. ^ "Mayday Parade announce record release date". Alternative Press. Alternative Press Magazine, Inc. June 24, 2009. Archived from the original on August 21, 2017. Retrieved August 21, 2017.
  20. ^ "Mayday Parade announce partial schedule for end-of-summer tour". Alternative Press. Alternative Press Magazine, Inc. June 16, 2009. Archived from the original on August 21, 2017. Retrieved August 21, 2017.
  21. ^ a b DeAndrea, Joe (July 28, 2009). "Mayday Parade Album Info". AbsolutePunk.net. Retrieved August 29, 2015.
  22. ^ DeAndrea, Joe (August 20, 2009). "Mayday Parade Track Listing". AbsolutePunk.net. Retrieved August 29, 2015.
  23. ^ DeAndrea, Joe (September 1, 2009). "Mayday Parade Album Art". AbsolutePunk.net. Retrieved August 29, 2015.
  24. ^ Lally, Jonathan (September 15, 2009). "Mayday Parade Post New Video". AbsolutePunk.net. Retrieved August 29, 2015.
  25. ^ Adam (August 13, 2009). "Tours: The Academy Is, Mayday Parade, Set Your Goals on AP's Fall Ball Tour". Punknews.org. Archived from the original on August 29, 2015. Retrieved August 29, 2015.
  26. ^ "Mayday Parade "The Silence"". mtvU. September 29, 2009. Archived from the original on August 29, 2015. Retrieved August 29, 2015.
  27. ^ "Mayday Parade | The Silence | Music Video". MTV. July 5, 2012. Archived from the original on September 1, 2015. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
  28. ^ Ryan, Chris (September 29, 2009). "Video Premiere: Mayday Parade, 'The Silence'". MTV. Archived from the original on August 29, 2015. Retrieved August 29, 2015.
  29. ^ Paul, Aubin (September 29, 2009). "Mayday Parade: 'Get Up'". Punknews.org. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  30. ^ "AllAccess.com Alternative eWeekly". AllAccess. September 29, 2009. Archived from the original on August 22, 2016. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  31. ^ "AllAccess.com Alternative eWeekly". AllAccess. October 27, 2009. Archived from the original on August 21, 2016. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  32. ^ Solomon, Blake (October 24, 2009). "TDS and Mayday Parade Dates Announced". AbsolutePunk.net. Retrieved August 29, 2015.
  33. ^ Adam (December 11, 2009). "We The Kings, Mayday Parade play 2010 Take Action Tour". Punknews.org. Archived from the original on August 29, 2015. Retrieved August 29, 2015.
  34. ^ "We The Kings, Mayday Parade, more on Take Action! Tour". Alternative Press. December 10, 2009. Archived from the original on August 30, 2015. Retrieved August 30, 2015.
  35. ^ Solomon, Blake (February 22, 2010). "Mayday Parade Ready Video". AbsolutePunk.net. Retrieved August 29, 2015.
  36. ^ Pham, Jamie (February 26, 2010). "Madina Lake European Tour Dates". AbsolutePunk.net. Retrieved August 29, 2015.
  37. ^ a b c d e f g h Zemler, Emily (May 17, 2010). "No Offense: Music videos are still prone to censorship, but does it matter?". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on August 30, 2015. Retrieved August 30, 2015.
  38. ^ "Airplay Archive: CHR". FMQB. Archived from the original on June 2, 2013. Retrieved November 2, 2016.
  39. ^ "Kids in Love / The Silence by Mayday Parade". Amazon. Archived from the original on August 30, 2015. Retrieved August 30, 2015.
  40. ^ Simon, Leslie (April 5, 2010). "Sing It Loud Hits The Road This Spring With Mayday Parade, Motion City Soundtrack". MTV. Archived from the original on August 29, 2015. Retrieved August 29, 2015.
  41. ^ Aubin (December 21, 2009). "Warped confirms Polar Bear Club, Sum 41, Fake Problems, Swellers, ETID, Motion City Soundtrack". Punknews.org. Archived from the original on August 29, 2015. Retrieved August 29, 2015.
  42. ^ Anywhere but Here (Sleeve). Mayday Parade. Fearless/Atlantic. 2010. none.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  43. ^ "Mayday Parade and The Maine announce UK tour". Alternative Press. July 12, 2010. Archived from the original on August 30, 2015. Retrieved August 30, 2015.
  44. ^ a b "Mayday Parade to headline Fearless Friends Tour". Alternative Press. July 14, 2010. Archived from the original on August 30, 2015. Retrieved August 30, 2015.
  45. ^ Shotwell, James (August 17, 2010). "Dates announced for the Fearless Friends tour". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on August 30, 2015. Retrieved August 30, 2015.
  46. ^ DiVincenzo, Alex (January 31, 2011). "Get Up with Mayday Parade". AbsolutePunk.net. Retrieved August 29, 2015.
  47. ^ Hauck, Kiel (March 31, 2011). "Mayday Parade: Valdosta EP". PopMatters. Archived from the original on September 10, 2015. Retrieved September 10, 2015.
  48. ^ a b Leahey, Andrew. "Anywhere But Here - Mayday Parade | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Archived from the original on August 29, 2015. Retrieved August 29, 2015.
  49. ^ Nollen, Diana (April 29, 2010). "CD REVIEW: Mayday Parade leads pop punk down new road". The Gazette. Archived from the original on August 31, 2015. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  50. ^ Winberg, Pär (October 12, 2009). "Mayday Parade - Anywhere but Here". Melodic. Archived from the original on January 21, 2018. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
  51. ^ Lewis, Faye. "Mayday Parade – Anywhere But Here". Rock Sound. Archived from the original on October 7, 2010. Retrieved August 29, 2015.
  52. ^ a b "Mayday Parade - Chart history (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 23, 2015. Retrieved February 10, 2014.
  53. ^ "Mayday Parade - Chart history (Alternative Albums)". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 3, 2015. Retrieved February 10, 2014.
  54. ^ "Mayday Parade - Chart history (Digital Albums)". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 2, 2015. Retrieved February 10, 2014.
  55. ^ "Mayday Parade - Chart history (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 2, 2015. Retrieved February 10, 2014.
edit