A Lesson in Romantics
Encyclopedia
A Lesson in Romantics is the full-length debut album from American
rock band
Mayday Parade
, released through Fearless Records
. The album was released on July 10, 2007, and was produced by Zack Odom and Kenneth Mount. A day before the album's release, the entire album was put onto AOL Music
for an album listening party. The album cover with a faceless man holding an umbrella came from rejected potential artwork for the band +44
.
Many reviews noted the improved sound from the bands 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." Similarly, Punknews.org wrote that "the same energy and smart lyrics found on their 2006 EP are present throughout the album. However, [...] Romantics definitely sounds like a more mature record."
Some minor criticism was directed at the roughness of some of the sonic elements of the album.
charts. It debuted at number 8 on the Billboard Heatseekers
chart upon its release. The album re-entered the chart five times and spent 46 non-consecutive weeks on the chart. The album also charted on the Independent Albums
chart, peaking at number 31 and spending 3 non-consecutive weeks on the chart.
A Lesson in Romantics has sold upwards of 170,000 copies.
, while "Jamie All Over" appears on the 2008 Warped Tour Compilation
.
The song "When I Get Home, You're So Dead" was also featured in the Rock Band Network
in the Rock Band
(video game) series.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
rock band
Musical ensemble
A musical ensemble is a group of people who perform instrumental or vocal music. In classical music, trios or quartets either blend the sounds of musical instrument families or group together instruments from the same instrument family, such as string ensembles or wind ensembles...
Mayday Parade
Mayday Parade
Mayday Parade is an American rock band from Tallahassee, Florida. The band formed in 2005 when members of popular local Tallahassee bands Kid Named Chicago and Defining Moment converged in 2006. Their debut EP Tales Told by Dead Friends was released in 2006, and sold over 20,000 copies without any...
, released through Fearless Records
Fearless Records
Fearless Records is an alternative rock-oriented record label that has been signing artists since 1994. Fearless is based in Westminster, California and are best known for their early pop-punk moments captured in the Fearless Flush Sampler and Punk Bites releases, as well as additional releases by...
. The album was released on July 10, 2007, and was produced by Zack Odom and Kenneth Mount. A day before the album's release, the entire album was put onto AOL Music
AOL
AOL Inc. is an American global Internet services and media company. AOL is headquartered at 770 Broadway in New York. Founded in 1983 as Control Video Corporation, it has franchised its services to companies in several nations around the world or set up international versions of its services...
for an album listening party. The album cover with a faceless man holding an umbrella came from rejected potential artwork for the band +44
+44 (band)
+44 was an alternative rock band formed by Blink-182 members Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker...
.
Critical reception
Since its release, A Lesson in Romantics has received positive reviews. Punknews.org wrote that "if you're looking for fun music with catchy hooks, talented musicians, and vocalists who can actually sing well, this is a band you need to check out." Daniel Thompson from Music Emissions wrote that "every song is spectacular on this album and is a potential hit." A Teen Ink review stated that "what really makes “A Lesson In Romantics” so fantastic is the emotion. You can feel the pain, joy, and love in every note."Many reviews noted the improved sound from the bands debut EP, Tales Told by Dead Friends
Tales Told By Dead Friends
-Personnel:*Derek Sanders – lead vocals, keyboards*Jason Lancaster - lead vocals, guitar, lyrics*Alex Garcia – lead guitar*Brooks Betts – rhythm guitar*Jeremy Lenzo – bass guitar*Jake Bundrick – drums, percussion-Song notes:...
. 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." Similarly, Punknews.org wrote that "the same energy and smart lyrics found on their 2006 EP are present throughout the album. However, [...] Romantics definitely sounds like a more mature record."
Some minor criticism was directed at the roughness of some of the sonic elements of the album.
Commercial performance
A Lesson in Romantics reached two of the BillboardBillboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
charts. It debuted at number 8 on the Billboard Heatseekers
Top Heatseekers
Top Heatseekers refers to either of two separate "Breaking and Entering" music charts issued weekly by Billboard Magazine: the Heatseekers Albums chart or the Heatseekers Songs chart. They were introduced by Billboard in 1993 with the purpose of highlighting the sales by new and developing musical...
chart upon its release. The album re-entered the chart five times and spent 46 non-consecutive weeks on the chart. The album also charted on the Independent Albums
Independent Albums
The Billboard Independent Albums is a chart of the highest-selling independent music albums and extended plays in the United States, compiled by Nielsen SoundScan and published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is used to list artists who are not signed to major labels...
chart, peaking at number 31 and spending 3 non-consecutive weeks on the chart.
A Lesson in Romantics has sold upwards of 170,000 copies.
Track listing
- All music and lyrics written by Mayday Parade and Jason LancasterGo RadioGo Radio is a rock band from Tallahassee, Florida, formed by former Mayday Parade vocalist, guitarist and lyricist Jason Lancaster in April 2007.The band has toured with The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, A Day to Remember, as well as Mayday Parade...
, unless noted.
Singles
Vocalist, guitarist and lyricist Jason Lancaster left the band before any singles were released for the album, and is therefore not in any of the music videos. This has become a common misconception by fans, who often confuse Jeremy Lenzo and Jake Bundrick for Jason Lancaster.- "When I Get Home, You're So Dead" - Its music video was shot September 20 in Los AngelesLos ÁngelesLos Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California and premiered on MySpace on November 14, 2007. Since Lancaster sings along with Sanders for the majority of the song, Sanders lip syncs Lancaster's parts and sings his own as well. Prior to the release of "When I Get Home, You're So Dead", the band used a live video to promote "Black Cat", which was believed to be the first single.
- "Jamie All Over"- This song is a re-recording of the Kid Named Chicago, Lancaster, Garcia, and Bundrick's previous band's song with the same name. The video for the second single was shot on May 6 in New YorkNew YorkNew York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and started playing on MTV2, MTVu, and MTV hits on July 21, 2008. Bassist Jeremy Lenzo lip syncs to Jason Lancaster's parts in the video. The final closing verse is sung by Daniel Lancaster of Stages & Stereos and now Select Start, brother of Jason Lancaster. Derek Sanders lip syncs this verse in the music video.
- "Miserable At Best" - The video for the third single, "Miserable at Best", was released on January 9 on the band's Myspace. In the video, drummer Jake Bundrick lip syncs to Jason Lancaster's verses. The video excludes the song's bridge.
Other appearances of songs
"Black Cat" was selected to be featured on the official 2007 Warped Tour CompilationWarped Tour 2007 Tour Compilation
The Warped Tour 2007 Tour Compilation is the twelfth installment in the annual compilation series accompanying the Warped Tour. The compilation's cover is a photograph of Aiden singer WiL Francis playing on the 2006 Warped Tour.- Track listing :...
, while "Jamie All Over" appears on the 2008 Warped Tour Compilation
Warped Tour 2008 Tour Compilation
The Warped Tour 2008 Tour Compilation is the thirteenth installment in the annual compilation series accompanying the Warped Tour. The cover is a photograph of Underoath singer Spencer Chamberlain. The 2008 Warped Tour Compilation was produced by Jon Pebsworth and Mike Pelak.- Track listing :...
.
The song "When I Get Home, You're So Dead" was also featured in the Rock Band Network
Rock Band Network
The Rock Band Network is a downloadable content service designed by Harmonix Music Systems with the help of Microsoft to allow musical artists and record labels to make their music available as playable tracks for the Rock Band series of rhythm video games, starting with Rock Band 2...
in the Rock Band
Rock Band
Rock Band is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems, published by MTV Games and Electronic Arts. It is the first title in the Rock Band series. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions were released in the United States on November 20, 2007, while the PlayStation 2 version was...
(video game) series.
Song notes
- "Jamie All Over" - This song was originally recorded by Kid Named Chicago, the previous band of Jake Bundrick, Alex Garcia, and Jason Lancaster. It was featured in the Rock Band NetworkRock Band NetworkThe Rock Band Network is a downloadable content service designed by Harmonix Music Systems with the help of Microsoft to allow musical artists and record labels to make their music available as playable tracks for the Rock Band series of rhythm video games, starting with Rock Band 2...
for the Rock BandRock BandRock Band is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems, published by MTV Games and Electronic Arts. It is the first title in the Rock Band series. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions were released in the United States on November 20, 2007, while the PlayStation 2 version was...
video game series. - "When I Get Home, You're So Dead" - This is the only song from Tales Told by Dead FriendsTales Told By Dead Friends-Personnel:*Derek Sanders – lead vocals, keyboards*Jason Lancaster - lead vocals, guitar, lyrics*Alex Garcia – lead guitar*Brooks Betts – rhythm guitar*Jeremy Lenzo – bass guitar*Jake Bundrick – drums, percussion-Song notes:...
to be re-recorded for the full-length album. The song was also featured in the Rock Band Network. - "Champagne's for Celebrating (I'll Have a Martini)" - The title of this song is a quote by John Smith played by Brad Pitt in the 2005 action movie Mr. & Mrs. SmithMr. & Mrs. Smith (2005 film)Mr. & Mrs. Smith is a 2005 American romantic comedy action film directed by Doug Liman and written by Simon Kinberg. The original music score was composed by John Powell...
.
Chart performance
| Chart (2007) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Billboard (magazine) Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis... Top Heatseekers Top Heatseekers Top Heatseekers refers to either of two separate "Breaking and Entering" music charts issued weekly by Billboard Magazine: the Heatseekers Albums chart or the Heatseekers Songs chart. They were introduced by Billboard in 1993 with the purpose of highlighting the sales by new and developing musical... |
8 |
| U.S. Billboard Independent Albums Independent Albums The Billboard Independent Albums is a chart of the highest-selling independent music albums and extended plays in the United States, compiled by Nielsen SoundScan and published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is used to list artists who are not signed to major labels... |
31 |
Personnel
- Derek Sanders – lead vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
, keyboardKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments... - Jason Lancaster – lead vocals, guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
- Alex Garcia – lead guitarLead guitarLead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
- Brooks Betts – rhythm guitarRhythm guitarRhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together...
- Jeremy Lenzo – bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, backing vocalsBacking vocalistA backing vocalist or backing singer is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists... - Jake Bundrick – drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
- Zach Odom – producer, mixer
- Kenneth Mount – producer, mixer
- Mark Needham – mixer