Mae - Singularity
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Free Music Notes for Singularity
Free Music Review: Singularity by Mae
Hit: 5 Stars
We tried to find this CD at the usual mall stores, Circuit City and Best Buy, but were unsuccessful. Amazon and the supplier came through with flying colors. Free Music Review: Good
Hit: 4 Stars
It's a good cd and I like that it is not as electronicly oriented as their first cd. I am a guitar player and dang it I like guitar so sue me for wanting to get ride of electronic stuff. Anyway a good cd but it is not as creative as their last one but I for sure dont miss the electronic stuff. I like their sound better in this cd but the lyrics are better in the old one.Free Music Review: Great album...just not a great followup to the Everglow
Hit: 4 Stars
I love Mae. After I heard the Everglow, I bought it and listened to it on repeat, and immediately ordered Destination Beautiful. While it was easy to see that Mae had definitely improved their material with the Everglow from Destination, it is hard to see that progression.
What I want to stress is that this is a VERY GOOD album, solid, and would probably be my favorite-if it was any other band's. When it first came out, I admit, I was about to throw the CD down-this is not the Mae I love! I've given it a few months, and honestly, it's a good cd that fits along with most of the other cds I like. However, Mae was that artist that I could tell apart strictly from the beginning of the song, and the way it made me feel, whereas I couldn't possibly do that with this album.
I also agree with the other reviewer who said they needed "dance-able" songs for concerts. Recently, a friend of mine went to their concert (I couldn't go!) but they were openers and booed off the stage. Booed! So, that could definitely be part of why they want to make an album to play as a show.
Free Music Review: Mae on the "Brink of Disaster?"
Hit: 2 Stars
I believe most people who have listened to "The Everglow" in its entirety will agree that if a one word summation was in order, it would be an "experience". And an amazing experience it is. However with their latest release, Mae has seems to have changed more than just record labels as their style has changed drastically, and sadly it is not without disappointment.
It's not that the album is bad, quite the opposite, the album's production values are top notch. However the high standards set by Mae in past efforts are unmatched here. "Singularity" is unbalanced in song variety and forgetful when compared to Mae's past compositions. One of the biggest problems is the absence of any slow songs to balance out the album. It seems like every song is plagued with poppy guitars, fast drum patterns, and electronic effects. This is fine for the first few songs, but the album gets tired fast. I was expecting to experience an emotional song of "Tisbury Lane" caliber somewhere on the album to break up the monotony and show off Mae's superb talent at song composition. To my surprise, there was none in earshot. This album never slows down, and I found myself longing for soft vocals and simple yet amazingly beautiful chord progressions found in songs like "Were So Far Away" and "The Sun and the Moon".
The song compositions themselves are decent, and some are quite good, resembling past rock ballads like "Embers and Envelopes" and "Somebody Else's Arms". However, too many songs sound like each other in structure and sound, and none come close to capturing the heartfelt music experienced in past efforts. Like mentioned earlier, "Singularity" is aching for variety.
Hopefully Mae will think about the mistakes they were making with this album and forgo filling their albums with mediocre songs in favor of more meaningful ones like "This Time Is The Last Time". While listening to most of the album, I simply wanted to stop, and pop in "Destination: Beautiful." Good if you love power pop, but ultimately pales in comparison to Mae's earlier material. Hopefully, "Singularity" is a single misstep and simply part of a countdown to a "real Mae" release that can stand up to the brilliance that is "The Everglow".
Free Music Review: Good rock, Mae style
Hit: 4 Stars
Before I go any further into this review, one thing needs to be made perfectly clear. This is not The Everglow. Interpret that as you will, but if you buy this CD expecting The Everglow Pt. 2, you will be disappointed.
That said, on to the review. With Singularity, Mae has clearly chosen to take a new tack into the realm of straight-up rock. This is apparent from the very start of the album.
The first track, Brink of Disaster, starts off with a rocking guitar intro accompanied by a rousing keyboard line which really adds a distinct Mae touch. The verses drop into a more reflective mood, then rise back up into a high-energy chorus. This is followed by a fantastic bridge which only adds to the excitement. The song ends with Dave Elkins, in his inimitable way, screaming "asleep at the wheel!"
Crazy 8s is the next track, a more melancholy, slow-paced song with a soaring chorus in which Elkins asks "can you stay with me tonight?"
The third track is Sometimes I Can't Make it Alone, the first single from the album. Here we see a grittier edge to Mae, as Elkins showcases just how versatile his voice is and the guitars relentlessly grind out a hard accompaniment. This song is a make-or-break effort on Mae's part. Fans of harder rock will definitely enjoy it, while those who fondly remember Mae's smoother, more "emo" days will wonder what happened to the band they know and love.
With Just Let Go, Mae slows it down a little with a lilting tune that you'll find easily gets stuck in your head.
The next two tracks, On Top and Waiting, are two of the more forgettable songs on the album. That said, they are still strong efforts, with Waiting showcasing an excellent keyboard line by (unfortunately) former member Rob Sweitzer.
Sic Semper Tyrannis is yet another harder effort by Mae as they test these new waters. The result couldn't be better. And once again, the song works up to a marvelous bridge which fits perfectly.
Release Me is another slow piece, this time with a sad feel to it. In the chorus, Elkins asks "could you be the one to release me?" and the tune flows beautifully.
Telescopes is similar to Sometimes I Can't Make it Alone, with a dissonant, repetitive chorus. Rock lovers will enjoy the effort, especially the wonderful guitar work as the chorus begins.
Rocket starts off feeling like another rocker, but slows down into a more reflective piece with a slower, more tuneful chorus than Telescopes and SICMIA.
The CD closes with Home and Reflections. Home is a spirited, lovely song, more reminiscent of Mae's previous albums. Reflection ends the album on a reflective note, as Elkins shows that he can still sing soulful songs.
All in all, Singularity is an adventurous step into new territory for Mae, and they pull it off pretty well. That said, one still hopes that in the future they will return to more of the smooth, soulful music that made Mae distinctly different.