Search - Mae :: (m)orning (CD/DVD)

Certainly an Older Mae, for Both Better and Worse

L. J. Rott | USA | 10/25/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Mae has gone through a lot of changes off the stage since their last release Singularity, and the sound of (m)orning certainly reflects that. What's presented here is a stripped-down sound, much more intimate but also at times tentative and awkward.



The EP is sandwiched between two instrumental tracks, "Good M(o)rning" and "(M)orning Drive." (I haven't bothered to figure out what the deal is with the () in the titles). Neither song for me is very memorable, they're both prog-inspired jaunts with some light guitar, synth work, and liberal use of fade effects. I think the album is no better or worse off due to their inclusion.



The Fisherman Song opens up the disc with a lengthy 8:39 run time, and I think encapsulates the idea of the compositions to follow rather nicely. It starts off soft and slowly builds up into a full-on rock breakdown for the last couple of minutes. Telling a very personal story of where the band has been since Singularity, it's a wonderful tune that takes the listener for a ride.



The next song "The House that Fire Built" is more perplexing. Another long tune at over seven minutes, the song is full of familiar Mae rock themes, but it meanders long past what I would deem enjoyable to listen to and gets close to prog rock territory, somewhere I don't see Mae meant to journey to. The outro alone is ninety seconds of nearly dead air leading into the next song.



"Boomerang" is full of classic Mae vibes. It's light, a little funky, and enjoyable to listen to. The problem is that Boomerang is merely an ok song, like something that was left over from the Singularity sessions.



"Two Birds" is the surprising track on the disc. Another instrumental track, but far different than the other two previously mentioned, and very different than nearly anything Mae has done previously. The song is dominated by a dueling flute and piano and showcases a vibe I thought Mae would have tried to explore years ago. I wish the ideas of this song were expanded on into a traditional composition and given more life, because Mae could be onto something big with more exploratory songs like "Two Birds."



Back to familiar places with "A Melody, The Memory," the most straight-forward and unassuming song. It's very smooth, but it never goes anywhere. What makes the song even more mediocre is that the following tune "Night/Day" is probably the best song on the whole disc. Reflective, hopeful, and beautiful, I absolutely love this song.



(M)orning is but the first of three EPs to come for the new Mae, but it keeps me optimistic of what is to come for the band. There are a few must-have songs here in "Fisherman," "Two Birds," and "Night/Day," but also a few less amazing tracks in "Boomerang" and "A Melody" that tell me if Mae continues to embrace their strengths and growth opportunities rather than try and duplicate what made them so amazing in the past, they still have a bright future ahead of them. Gone from (m)orning are the beautiful piano accompaniments that made their previous work so distinctive, but the same poignancy and intimacy remains that makes them a cut above the usual rock crowd."

Fisherman Song sets the tone imo

Lee | Boise, ID USA | 09/22/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Saw Mae in concert in SLC for the (M)orning tour - had no idea what to expect. I saw Mae in concert for the Everglow tour, LOVED Everglow, then bought both Destinations and was continually amazed. Like Singularity a lot, but it wasn't the amazing cd that Everglow was. And then the keyboardist left - woah! The guy that played that 2nd cut on Everglow...not sure I was going to like (M)orning.



Yeah, I love Mae! (M)orning is amazing. I'm still discovering it. The concert was powerful. The words are powerful and full. I'm in my 40's, took my 17 year old son with one of his friends and we all were blown away, listening to the all Mae, including (M)orning cd, all the way home to Boise (6 hours).



Mae never left, things change, Mae evolves...grows...matures...breathes...I think I'll go listen to Fisherman Song again and remember..."

Mae continues to amaze

S. W. Lincoln | 09/28/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've been a Mae fan for about a year, and I've been eagerly anticipating this EP. I wasn't sure how it would be since most people consider their best work already completed, but this album is amazing. The songs flow together seamlessly. This album still has that experimental sound to it that might keep the mass crowds away, but Mae stayed true to their style while still branching away from their previous work. I love this EP!"