Full Review: Mae – Singularity
The now veteran rock band Mae, is back in the saddle yet again but time in new territory with their first major label album, singularity. Arguably this is the best of their records to date, and thus the band seems up for the exposure a major label can produce.
The album starts off perfectly with the full band in right away only to drop down to vocals which immediately bring you in for the ride that is “Brink of Disaster”. Musically speaking the keys (synth) carries the song and gives it that something extra.
I cannot for the life of me figure out why “Sometimes I can’t Make it Alone” is the first single from the record. The song relies on only a couple of lines for the hook. The song, while not horrible, is a weaker song on the album and became harder and harder not to skip, especially because the next song “just let go” is one of the albums highlights. The lighthearted bouncier song is able to paint pictures of summer time and innocence with lyrics like “There’s an old oak tree, we can swing and sway, we’ll lock arms and lay…”.
Scattered throughout the album are a few songs which don’t hit as hard and make as much of an impact. Songs like “waiting”, “telescopes”, and “on top” don’t bring the album down but are more subtle in their approach. After “telescope” comes “Rocket” which is another highlight of the album, the unconventional swaying song which has a unique rhythm yet by the end of the song you will most likely be singing along.
I had low expectations for Singularity based on the single that was released and the fact that their last album “The Everglow” did not have very much staying power. Don’t get me wrong I liked “The Everglow” but Singularity feels more unified both musically and lyrically.
Main point of this review is that this is a must own album.
August 15th, 2007 at 9:22 am
As a fully committed Mae fan, I have to admit my misgivings, as well, heading into the release of Singularity. Most of that was based on the single release of Sometimes I Can’t Make It Alone which albeit is less annoying the 4th time through, but I could do without-and more importantly, is very un-Mae-like. I’ll fault that one to the label. I would however, take issue with the review’s comment on Waiting. Waiting is a top 2 single off the album, maybe 2nd to Just Let Go, but it has the feel of The Foo Fighter’s Everlong, which mixes both sweetness and sadness perfectly to haunting rock sound. Give it another listen and I’m sure you may find it out. Overall, The Everglow was much more unified and consistent. As much as I’m pleased about the few songs that really hit the spot, I’m very much hoping this doesn’t become their strict formula for music making in the future. When I think back at Mae’s first album Destination Beautiful I see a potentially good group except for one great diamond which showed greatness in both the musically sound rock and the easy to swallow light sounds and lyrics that Mae fans love. The song is Summertime and it might just be there best song yet and yet it stands alone on an otherwise novice album. Perhaps not all albums have to be so great and consistent so long as there are at least a few gems. The listener will at least be assured of finding that much.
August 15th, 2007 at 9:35 am
Now that you say that about the foo fighters, I can definitely hear it. It was not something obvious at first but only after you said that. I do think the song does get better the more times you listen to it, but I still think it doesn’t have the something extra to set it apart like other songs.
I do agree with summertime, that is an amazing song and probably the song which got most people into mae or at least to pay attention to them.