A Lesson in Romantics

A Lesson in Romantics
Studio album by Mayday Parade
Released July 10, 2007
Recorded 2007
Genre Alternative rock, pop punk
Length 45:32
Label Fearless
Producer Zack Odom, Kenneth Mount
Mayday Parade chronology

Tales Told by Dead Friends
(2006)		 A Lesson in Romantics
(2007)		 Anywhere but Here
(2009)
Singles from A Lesson in Romantics
  1. "When I Get Home, You're So Dead"
    Released: 2007
  2. "Jamie All Over"
    Released: 2008
  3. "Miserable at Best"
    Released: 2009

A Lesson in Romantics is the full-length debut album from American rock band Mayday Parade, released through Fearless in July 2007. The album 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.

Music and lyrics

Singles

Vocalist, guitarist and lyricist Jason Lancaster left the band before any singles were released from 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.

Other appearances of songs

"Black Cat" was selected to be featured on the official 2007 Warped Tour Compilation, 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. It was also featured in the iOS App 'Tap Tap Revenge 3'and 'Tap Tap Revenge 4'.

Release

A Lesson in Romantics was released on July 10, 2007 by Fearless.[nb 1] On November 21, 2011, the album was released on vinyl with a different colored cover.[nb 2][4] A white vinyl edition was released a year later, on August 28, 2012.[nb 3][6]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
AbsolutePunk (85%)[7]
Sputnikmusic (3.8/5)[8]
Punknews.org [9]
Music Emissions [10]
Teen Ink favorable[11]

A Lesson in Romantics charted on at number 8 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart.[12] The album re-entered the chart five times and spent 46 non-consecutive weeks on the chart.[13] The album also charted on the Independent Albums chart, peaking at number 31[14] and spending 3 non-consecutive weeks on the chart.[13] A Lesson in Romantics has sold upwards of 170,000 copies.[15]

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."[9] Daniel Thompson from Music Emissions wrote that "every song is spectacular on this album and is a potential hit."[10] 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."[11]

Many reviews noted the improved sound from the band's 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."[7] 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."[9]

Track listing

All music written by Mayday Parade and Jason Lancaster and all lyrics written by Lancaster, unless noted.

  1. "Jamie All Over" (ft. Daniel Lancaster) – 3:36
  2. "Black Cat" – 3:23
  3. "When I Get Home, You're So Dead" – 3:13
  4. "Jersey" – 3:29
  5. "If You Wanted a Song Written About You, All You Had to Do Was Ask" – 4:04
  6. "Miserable at Best" – 5:20
  7. "Walk on Water or Drown" – 3:29
  8. "Ocean and Atlantic" – 3:30
  9. "I'd Hate to Be You When People Find Out What This Song Is About" (Derek Sanders, Jason Lancaster, Jake Bundrick) – 4:01
  10. "Take This to Heart" (Sanders, Lancaster) – 4:07
  11. "Champagne's for Celebrating (I'll Have a Martini)" (Sanders) – 3:58
  12. "You Be the Anchor That Keeps My Feet on the Ground, I'll Be the Wings That Keep Your Heart in the Clouds" (Sanders, Lancaster) – 4:40
2008 reissue bonus tracks

Chart positions

Charts (2007) Peak
position
U.S. Billboard Top Heatseekers[12] 8
U.S. Billboard Independent Albums[14] 31

Personnel

Mayday Parade
Additional musician
Production

References

Footnotes
  1. ↑ U.S. Fearless FRL 30099-2[2]
  2. ↑ U.S. Fearless FRL 30099-1[3]
  3. ↑ U.S. Fearless FRL 30099-1[5]
Citations
  1. ↑ Video premiere of "When I Get Home, You're So Dead" on MySpace
  2. ↑ "Mayday Parade - A Lesson In Romantics (CD, Album) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
  3. ↑ "Mayday Parade - A Lesson In Romantics (Vinyl, LP) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
  4. ↑ "Mayday Parade – A Lesson In Romantics Vinyl". Fearless Records. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
  5. ↑ "Mayday Parade - A Lesson In Romantics (Vinyl, LP) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
  6. ↑ "Mayday Parade – A Lesson In Romantics (White Vinyl)". Fearless Records. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 DeAndrea, Joe. "Mayday Parade - A Lesson in Romantics". Absolute Punk. Retrieved 8 August 2011.
  8. ↑ "Mayday Parade A Lesson In Romantics". Sputnik Music. Retrieved 8 August 2011.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 "Mayday Parade - A Lesson in Romantics". Punknews.org. Retrieved 8 August 2011.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Thompson, Daniel. "MAYDAY PARADE - A LESSON IN ROMANTICS". Music Emissions. Retrieved 8 August 2011.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Mayday Parade - "A Lesson in Romantics"". Teen Ink. Retrieved 8 August 2011.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Mayday Parade - Chart history (Heatseekers Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved February 10, 2014.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 "Mayday Parade - The Visualizer". Billboard Magazine.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 "Mayday Parade - Chart history (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved February 10, 2014.
  15. ↑ "Mayday Parade". Asquaredmgmy.com. Retrieved 20 August 2011.