Singularity
Artist: Mae
Label: Capitol Records/Tooth & Nail Records
URL: www.myspace.com/mae
Time: 14 Tracks 56:54 
 
Mae are currently one of the emo/underground genre’s heroes. Their 2005 album The Everglow was a break through album into the forays of piano and guitar based songwriting. To this day I still call it one of the top 10 best records of the current decade! So needless to say, Mae have set very high standard for their newest project. There are generally two ways in which a band can approach following up a masterpiece and critically acclaimed record. They can try to continue in the exact same vein both musically and lyrically, or they can attempt to try something totally new and re-invent themselves once again. On Singularity, Mae range into the latter territory with quite a bit of surprising success. 
 
“Brink of Disaster” opens with loud guitars and a lot less piano, in fact the piano takes a backseat to the guitars in this song. This works to their advantage, because as the listener you immediately realize that this is a new sound and not The Everglow all over again. 
 
“Crazy 8’s” is a song that sounds like it could easily be Mae’s next big single. It features some great musicianship that really sets the tone for several of the later moments of brilliance on this album. It is a song about longing to spend time with the person you love, despite the fact that you have had some arguments lately. 
 
“Sometimes I Can’t Make It Alone” calls to mind the Jimmy Eat World song “Futures.” The guitars are upfront and driven into a three minute song about how much we as people need each other and that no man is island. 
 
“Just Let Go” would be another choice for a single. It’s a song about the uncomfortable feeling that comes when a guy first realizes that he is falling in love with a girl, but isn’t sure yet whether or not she shares the feelings. 
 
“Waiting” features Mae adding a new instrument in the repertoire, a synthesizer. This somehow feels a bit out of place on this album and unexpected from a band that does so well when they rely on a simple piano or keyboard. 
 
“Sic Semper Tyrannis” is a hard drive rock and roll song much more in the vein of The Ataris or Yellowcard instead of Mae. This isn’t a bad thing in this case though, as they wear this style quite well. 
 
“Release Me” is my personal favorite song on this project. It is a gorgeous piano drenched song that calls to mind “The Ocean” from _The Everglow._ It’s all about being in love with one special person, and how much the protagonist needs the girl he loves. 
 
“Telescopes” and “Rockets” both feature more Ataris sounding rock and roll while “Reflections,” the official closing track, slows things down quite nicely for a conclusion. It’s a song about looking back on your life and observing what you’ve learned from your experiences. 
 
After “Reflections” we have a four-minute silent track before the bonus track, “Last Transmission II” breaks through the speakers. 
 
“Last Transmission II” is a six-minute song that builds up into a very catchy electric guitar reverb over strummed acoustic guitar and drums. Musically this is definitely a highpoint on this solid album. Lyrically, lead vocalist David Elkins repeats how love is the ‘last transmission’ over and over again at the songs conclusion. While this has a strong effect and message, it does go on a just a little too long in my opinion. However, this is still a strong song and provides a solid ending to a very enjoyable album. 
 
James Morovich
9/9/07