Community bands aren’t as easy to find now as they were even a decade ago. While bands are quick to jump on charity-driven tours that have the potential to expose their music to hundreds of thousands of people in a single summer, few translate those tours into action. In to service. Mae however is making a connection to the world in a way that transcends the simplicity of instruments and melodies. A way that matters more than music ever will.
Throughout 2009 they are putting their words and melodies into action; releasing a string of EPs, one song at a time, via www.whatismae.com. The songs are available for a minimum donation of $1 and all digital proceeds go to fund charitable and humanitarian projects, such as the house they are building in their community alongside their local Habitat for Humanity chapter. The (M)orning EP consists of three songs. They are “A Melody, A Memory,” “Night/Day,” and “Good (M)orning.”
Basically, if you like Mae’s previous works then you’ll enjoy these as well. It’s the same introspective intellectual, emotional, music that has always set them apart from most other bands of their generation. The music is dynamic, occasionally explosive, and tremendously thoughtful just as it was when you first heard them.
“A Melody, A Memory” is probably the highlight, primarily because it has a really excellent guitar solo that raises the bar for Mae songs. “Night/Day” is the most introspective and sounding of the three tracks musically speaking. It’s very atmospheric and even a little Jazz-tinged. “Good (M)orning” is a signature, uplifting, glowing Mae song, the kind that brings a smile to your face no matter how crappy you are feeling. The (M)orning EP has every thing you expect from a Mae experience, albeit in a short burst.
This is the kind of project people should be spending their money on. To date, Mae have raised over $35,000 and I believe our readers can help improve those numbers. If you’ve never heard Mae, this is the best way to check them out. If you love it, everyone wins. If you hate it, you have still helped improve the world around you.
Reviewed by Mark Fisher
