Black and White (The Maine album)
Encyclopedia
Black & White is the second album by The Maine
and was released on July 13, 2010. The album features singles "Inside of You" and "Growing Up", and there will be a deluxe version available as well as a "Keepsake" version. It debuted at #16 on the Billboard 200
with 22,634 copies sold in its first week. The name Black & White comes from a song the band wrote titled "Black & White" however, the song wasn't put on the album nor was it released and according to the band's drummer, Pat Kirch, the song was lost.
(My Chemical Romance
, The All-American Rejects
) "Black & White" sees The Maine stepping out of their comfort zone and creating a cohesive body of work that is an "album", in the most traditional sense of the word.
"This time we really wanted to focus on the songwriting and make sure all the songs were great so no matter where on the disc you are you can tell it's an album instead of a bunch of songs that are thrown together, you know?" Kirch explains. Acoustic versions of the songs "Inside of You" and "Right Girl" can be found on YouTube
. From unexpectedly dark pop gems like "Inside of You" to nostalgic summertime ballads like "Growing Up," each track on "Black & White" defies categorization yet still retains the signature sound that has endeared The Maine to fans around the world.
On July 12, the album in its entirety was made available on the AOL Music website under the "CD Listening Party" section.
On the release date of the album, July 13, the band and their crew embarked on an entire 24 hour event which had been streamed live via their MySpace
page (www.myspace.com/themaine), Ustream
page and website (www.wearethemaine.net). Everyone who viewed the event online had chances to win some killer prizes, see acoustic sets and also receive calls from the band through their "Say Now" account (928-225-2009). The event took place in California.
"This is a fun pop/rock album. The band has not re-invented the wheel with this one, but they have changed the tires on the car and it will keep you going for a few hundred miles or so. I think what works best about this album is that the band took a chance to mature a little and try some new things instead of just producing the exact same thing a second time around. The experimentation and refinement pay off and give the band an improved sound."
iTunes
gave the album this review with an overall rating of four and a half stars:
"On their first major-label release (after an EP
and album for Fearless
), the Maine take a step away from the emo-pop sound they began with. Instead of fast tempos, sunny songs about girls, and auto-tuned vocals, "Black & White" has a more mature and measured approach. The tempos are nearly all mid, the mood is often melancholy or nostalgic, and the overall feel is much more grown up. The presence of Hammond organ is a trademark signifier of a serious and adult band and it appears in a handful of songs here, layered in among the acoustic guitars. There’s no trace of punk left in their approach, in other words. In fact, if the vocals had more of a twang, the record could pass for a modern country release. It will certainly appeal to the same kind of fans who like Taylor Swift — people who like solid, catchy songs, sung earnestly. There are definitely quite a few songs that would sound good on the radio, like the hooky "Fuel to the Fire" and the cute "Right Girl."
"Black & White" also won Alternative Press "Album of the Year" in 2010.
page. A music video for the song, directed by Cage Free and written by Ian Michael Kintzle, was released on July 19, 2010.
"Growing Up" was released shortly after "Inside of You" on May 18, 2010 as the second promotional single for the album. Like Inside of You, a lyrics video was uploaded where fans could see. The song was then later serviced to radio stations as the album's third single in February 2011. No video was made.
"Right Girl" - The second official single off the album, and was sent to radio on September 29, 2010. A music video for the song was released on November 23, 2010.
"Listen To Your Heart" was released as the album's fourth single, and was serviced to U.S. radio stations in June 2011. A video for the song, featuring footage from the band's tour, was released on their YouTube
page on July 5, 2011.
The Maine (band)
The Maine is an American rock band from Tempe, Arizona. They were formed in January 21st, 2007, they released EP Stay Up, Get Down in the same year. On December 11 2007, The Maine made their debut with a five song EP called The Way We Talk produced by Matt Grabe...
and was released on July 13, 2010. The album features singles "Inside of You" and "Growing Up", and there will be a deluxe version available as well as a "Keepsake" version. It debuted at #16 on the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
with 22,634 copies sold in its first week. The name Black & White comes from a song the band wrote titled "Black & White" however, the song wasn't put on the album nor was it released and according to the band's drummer, Pat Kirch, the song was lost.
Development and release
Recorded in California with Grammy-nominated producer Howard BensonHoward Benson
Howard Benson is a two-time Grammy-nominated music producer and aerospace engineer.-Biography:Howard Benson has a degree in materials engineering from Drexel University and studied composition at the Philadelphia College for Performing Arts. Later he worked for Garrett AiResearch, where he worked...
(My Chemical Romance
My Chemical Romance
My Chemical Romance is an American alternative rock band from New Jersey, formed in 2001. The band consists of lead vocalist Gerard Way, guitarists Ray Toro and Frank Iero, and bassist Mikey Way and have a diverse sound incorporating elements of punk, emo, glam metal, and progressive rock...
, The All-American Rejects
The All-American Rejects
The All-American Rejects are an American rock band formed in Stillwater, Oklahoma in 1999. The band consists of lead vocalist and bass guitarist Tyson Ritter, lead guitarist, Nick Wheeler, rhythm guitarist, Mike Kennerty, and drummer Chris Gaylor....
) "Black & White" sees The Maine stepping out of their comfort zone and creating a cohesive body of work that is an "album", in the most traditional sense of the word.
"This time we really wanted to focus on the songwriting and make sure all the songs were great so no matter where on the disc you are you can tell it's an album instead of a bunch of songs that are thrown together, you know?" Kirch explains. Acoustic versions of the songs "Inside of You" and "Right Girl" can be found on YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
. From unexpectedly dark pop gems like "Inside of You" to nostalgic summertime ballads like "Growing Up," each track on "Black & White" defies categorization yet still retains the signature sound that has endeared The Maine to fans around the world.
On July 12, the album in its entirety was made available on the AOL Music website under the "CD Listening Party" section.
On the release date of the album, July 13, the band and their crew embarked on an entire 24 hour event which had been streamed live via their MySpace
MySpace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
page (www.myspace.com/themaine), Ustream
Ustream
Ustream is a website which consists of a network of diverse channels providing a platform for lifecasting and live video streaming of events online. Established in March 2007, the site has over 2,000,000 registered users who generate 1,500,000+ hours of live streamed content per month with over ten...
page and website (www.wearethemaine.net). Everyone who viewed the event online had chances to win some killer prizes, see acoustic sets and also receive calls from the band through their "Say Now" account (928-225-2009). The event took place in California.
- Listening Party & Signing with Hurley
- Fearless Records release party
- Radio Station Visit at 98.7
- Interviews with Artist Direct and Metromix
- Warner Bros. Record Label Visit and Breakfast
- Beta TV Taping
- Acoustic Performances
- Hot Topic signing/acoustic performance
- MySpace Secret Show with Disco Curtis
- Alternative Press 2010 Album of the Year
Critical reception
Sound in the Signals Magazine gave the album a fairly positive review stating:"This is a fun pop/rock album. The band has not re-invented the wheel with this one, but they have changed the tires on the car and it will keep you going for a few hundred miles or so. I think what works best about this album is that the band took a chance to mature a little and try some new things instead of just producing the exact same thing a second time around. The experimentation and refinement pay off and give the band an improved sound."
iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
gave the album this review with an overall rating of four and a half stars:
"On their first major-label release (after an EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
and album for Fearless
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 Maine take a step away from the emo-pop sound they began with. Instead of fast tempos, sunny songs about girls, and auto-tuned vocals, "Black & White" has a more mature and measured approach. The tempos are nearly all mid, the mood is often melancholy or nostalgic, and the overall feel is much more grown up. The presence of Hammond organ is a trademark signifier of a serious and adult band and it appears in a handful of songs here, layered in among the acoustic guitars. There’s no trace of punk left in their approach, in other words. In fact, if the vocals had more of a twang, the record could pass for a modern country release. It will certainly appeal to the same kind of fans who like Taylor Swift — people who like solid, catchy songs, sung earnestly. There are definitely quite a few songs that would sound good on the radio, like the hooky "Fuel to the Fire" and the cute "Right Girl."
"Black & White" also won Alternative Press "Album of the Year" in 2010.
Singles
"Inside of You" was released on the bands website as a promotional single and later announced as the first official single off the album, shortly after it had been uploaded as a lyrics video on their official YouTubeYouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
page. A music video for the song, directed by Cage Free and written by Ian Michael Kintzle, was released on July 19, 2010.
"Growing Up" was released shortly after "Inside of You" on May 18, 2010 as the second promotional single for the album. Like Inside of You, a lyrics video was uploaded where fans could see. The song was then later serviced to radio stations as the album's third single in February 2011. No video was made.
"Right Girl" - The second official single off the album, and was sent to radio on September 29, 2010. A music video for the song was released on November 23, 2010.
"Listen To Your Heart" was released as the album's fourth single, and was serviced to U.S. radio stations in June 2011. A video for the song, featuring footage from the band's tour, was released on their YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
page on July 5, 2011.
Track listing
All tracks by The Maine, unless otherwise stated (per album liner):- "Don't Stop Now" – 3:36
- "Right Girl" – 3:37
- "Growing Up" – 3:54
- "Fuel to the Fire" – 3:18
- "Inside of You" – 3:53
- "Every Road" – 3:37
- "Listen to Your Heart" – 3:15
- "Saving Grace" – 3:53
- "Give It to Me" – 2:43
- "Color" – 3:41
Deluxe Edition (digital bonus songs)
- "Right Girl (Acoustic)" - 3:42
- "Inside of You (Acoustic)" - 3:47
Chart performance
| Chart | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
16 |
Personnel
- John O'Callaghan - vocals
- Kennedy Brock – guitar, back-up vocals
- Pat Kirch – drums
- Jared Monaco – guitar
- Garrett Nickelsen – bass
- Howard Benson – producer, engineer, mixing