You may think that a tune such as "I Won't Forget" bears some of the requisite elements of power pop--lighter-than-air harmonies, guitars that deftly balance crunch and melody--but the Mayflies USA don't want to be lumped ... more »in that genre. Instead, the North Carolina band prefers references to the likes of Big Star. This isn't so far out, for in a way the Mayflies USA bring us back to the early '70s, a simpler time in American rock. Proceeding at a leisurely pace, the band's new album has a pastoral veneer, an appealing sense that nothing is worth hurrying for, while at the same maintaining enough energy to prevent the listener from falling into torpor. It may have something to do with a change behind the board: The group traded producer Chris Stamey, who had worked on their first two albums (and had helped define Southern power pop with the dBs in the '80s), for Keith Cleversley, who's collaborated with the Flaming Lips and Mercury Rev. Cleversley helped craft a sound that's basic yet full, and songs such as "So Young" float by in a lovely manner. The Mayflies USA are as familiar and comfy as a pair of jeans that have acquired their creases the old-fashioned way--through wear and tear. --Elisabeth Vincentelli« less
You may think that a tune such as "I Won't Forget" bears some of the requisite elements of power pop--lighter-than-air harmonies, guitars that deftly balance crunch and melody--but the Mayflies USA don't want to be lumped in that genre. Instead, the North Carolina band prefers references to the likes of Big Star. This isn't so far out, for in a way the Mayflies USA bring us back to the early '70s, a simpler time in American rock. Proceeding at a leisurely pace, the band's new album has a pastoral veneer, an appealing sense that nothing is worth hurrying for, while at the same maintaining enough energy to prevent the listener from falling into torpor. It may have something to do with a change behind the board: The group traded producer Chris Stamey, who had worked on their first two albums (and had helped define Southern power pop with the dBs in the '80s), for Keith Cleversley, who's collaborated with the Flaming Lips and Mercury Rev. Cleversley helped craft a sound that's basic yet full, and songs such as "So Young" float by in a lovely manner. The Mayflies USA are as familiar and comfy as a pair of jeans that have acquired their creases the old-fashioned way--through wear and tear. --Elisabeth Vincentelli
CD Reviews
CMJ Review
take846 | NC | 08/10/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The difference separating good power-pop from bad is subtle. When it's good, it curls your toes and makes your head swirl. But just as easily, it can sound wimpy and neutered without much change in the core recipe. The Mayflies USA had a hard time curling listeners' toes with past releases, sounding somewhat contrived and flat. Walking A Straight Line changes that, blowing open the magical door to pop-topia and christening the band power-poppers supreme. All the ingredients are present: harmonies, mid-tempo singalongs and guitars that smolder. The title track hooks you instantly with a crunchy bobble-head riff, and the overall euphoria makes you wish kids everywhere were blasting this out of car stereos from coast to coast instead of bands like Train or Our Lady Peace. The Mayflies have learned subtlety, never bludgeoning you with the hook or vocals, but rather crafting songs with texture and layers of melodious sound. The result is an organic album that signals an end to the Mayflies USA's power-pop apprenticeship. Nice masterpiece, boys.
- Chris Larry: CMJ New Music Report Issue: 772 - Jul 22, 2002"
The Mayflies USA -- Better and Better with Time
Sarah McCoy | Raleigh, NC United States | 01/21/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I was introduced to the Mayflies some three or four years ago, as a local Raleigh girl, and instantly fell in love with their witty lyrics and hooks, and they've only gotten better with time. This album marks a marked growth in their sound, and it is one that can be heard both live and on the record. The harmonies are perfect, the lyrics catching and a little heart-wrenching, but always with a bit of irony and never too overly sweet. Certainly some of the old songs are notable, but are matched and "cleaned up" on this record.The record has a song for every mood, and is one that will pass the test of time. It is one that should find its' way into your collection."
Mediocre Mayflies - hopefully just this once
joecooool | Washington, DC | 08/08/2002
(3 out of 5 stars)
"I had never heard of The Mayflies USA until I saw them open for the Connells at a DC area show a few years ago. I was instantly hooked and bought their "Summertown" cd at the show. What a great album it is!! I felt like "The Pity List" was not quite as good, but still had several songs that you just had to hit the skip backwards button on the cd player to hear a few times in a row. Which brings me to "Walking In A Straight Line". Oh, it is a decent enough album and has some good songs, but it lacks that awesome song that you just have to hear over and over again. "Summertown" had NYC, Baby's Got Her Own Ideas, and Summertown to name a few. "The Pity List" had Great Big World, I Wanna Be Your Gun, and Getting To The End of You among others. "Walking In A Straight Line" lacks the unforgettable song. I have played it at least a dozen times to see if anything would grow on me, but nothing has. I personally think the best song on the album is Ready To Go, which is definitely their best imitation of Teenage Fanclub. I think the album sounds a bit too slick, glossy, and overproduced as well - and I noticed when reading the credits that they did have a different producer. Still, it's a decent album, but not even close to this young and up and coming band's first two releases."
Best yet!
Jack | NY | 08/14/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I heard about this band from a friend who had the Pity List cd. I got this new one and it is even better! I was instantly hooked to the catchy riffs. This album seems to be cleaned up more than the last. I like the newer sound. I cant wait to catch them in concert, I hope it sounds as good live!"
The difficult third album??
CR Van Ooststroom | IJsselstein Netherlands | 08/02/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"One of the best powerpop album of the last 5 years was made by this band (Summertown) full of great melodies and hooks, making this album of 14 songs an album I would take with me on a deserted island.
The next offering from The Mayflies USA, The Pity List, was a little less easy to get used to, but after some weeks (!) continually in my CD-walkman, made it a great follow-up to Summertown, again a great summer-record, full of lovely tunes, especially when your in love with a beautiful girl.I'm dissapointed to say that their third album doesn't have the emotional impact the two previous albums had on me. The songs seem to need some extensive play to get used to. But, after 4 listening sessions, the tunes are planting their seeds in my mind, the way the songs on the previous albums did.
So is this their difficult third album? I hope so and hopefully it will not be their last, because great powerpop, with beautiful timeless tunes is hard to find, especially here in the Netherlands. I'm in love with this band and hey, even The Beatles, Beach Boys, The Byrds and Big Star weren't consistent!"
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1