Miss May I – Monument
Oh how time flies. It feels like just yesterday I was listening to Miss May I demos on their Myspace. These Ohio youngsters (they are all under twenty one years of age) started with their debut album, Apologies Are For the Weak which was released in 2009 and was received generally well, thanks in part to The Devil Wears Prada promoting them via Myspace.
Monument, their sophomore album, showcases the catchy song writing of Apologies, combined with a maturity in talent that will appeal to both returning fans and brand new MMI converts. The first thing I noticed was that the vocals had been smoothed out. Although still rough, lead singer Levi Benton’s shrieks have been rounded out for a more polished professional feel. The second thing I noticed was Miss May I had not lost their knack for writing catchy riffs. The album is full to bursting with riff after tasty riff.
Now, Ryan Neff is their new bassist. And he knows his stuff. He not only took over on bass but also handles all the clean vocals. He really takes his bass for a ride and is much more noticeable than the previous bassist. He is most noticeable on the title track “Monument” where he lays down a sick bass groove on the ending breakdown that had me rewinding the song multiple times.
I’ve always loved Miss May I’s breakdowns and this album doesn’t disappoint. The breakdowns are sprinkled liberally throughout the songs; just enough to satisfy but not too many to inundate. Although I have always appreciated Miss May I and their ability to write a song that sticks in my head, the thing that I appreciated most was their ability to keep the pace fast without resorting to blast beats every three seconds because, let’s be honest, blast beats get kind of boring. But Jerod Boyd keeps the drums tight and interesting.
The single “Relentless Chaos,” which will be familiar to those who have been eagerly awaiting this album, is actually the second most boring track on the album (we’ll get to the worst in a moment.) It begins with an interesting riff but is covered by pretty boring clean vocals. This song focuses heavily on Neff’s clean vocals, which doesn’t do the song justice. “Monument” is one of my favorite tracks on the album. It features brutal screams, grooving riffs, fun breakdowns, and spectacular, if a bit double bass dependent, drumming.
Although this album is quite entertaining it does have a few downsides. The first being Ryan Neff’s vocals. I found them to be a bit annoying and monotonous. This is, however, a personal stylistic choice and not an indictment on his skill. He can sing decently and will not bother most fans, but personally I am sick of high-pitched, autotuned male vocals in this genre. If feels like he has the same part in almost every song. It makes a lot of the choruses blend together. The only saving grace for Neff is that instead of simply keeping rhythm and playing a simple beat, Boyd dominates the background with fascinating fills and grooves. The one other drawback is the second to last song, “In Recognition.” It is this weird ballad thing. Come on guys. I thought we were past forcing a ballad on to your record so you can say, “hey guys we totally did a ballad.” If you are at least going to do a ballad throw in some epic piano and strings. Then we’ll talk.
Despite tripping over itself a few times Monument is a solid release that will please old Miss May I fans and attract new fans. This album shows that even in the stale recesses of the metalcore genre there is hope; there is light! These guys are young and putting out amazing music. This album is catchy, memorable, and one of the best this year. Now excuse me while I drive to Michigan to see them on the Corruptour.
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20 Comments
August 18th, 2010 at 10:54 am
This was an album I was looking forward to, and it didn't dissapoint.
Your major qualms were the same as mine: the ballad and the auto-tuned vocals. So montonous. But Levi's screams are awesome, as on the first album.
Particularly, I like Apologies Are for The Weak a tiny bit more. Architect, Forgive and Forget, a Dance With Aera Cura and Tides were so damned catchy. Not to mention the title track, of course.
Great review, man!
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Drums replied:
August 18th, 2010 at 4:59 pm
i agree with in all subjects, but i can't agree in the ballad. i think that is something new that MMI put to the table and succeeded, i don't think is weird at all. the one thing that i don't like in this album is that there are many clean vocal parts, but the album is amazing and MMI will, in the future still blow my fuckin head off, with or without ballads, with too many or few clean vocals. they are the most complete band I've ever seen
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Gabriel Pio replied:
August 18th, 2010 at 9:44 pm
I'll second what you said about too many clean vocals. Not only were they annoying (because of the auto-tuning) but it felt like in some songs they were there for no apparent reason.
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August 18th, 2010 at 11:33 am
I was a tad disappointed about this album. At first it was great, but towards the end I totally lost interest.
Real awesome review though!
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August 18th, 2010 at 11:40 am
This album is generic garbage. I usually have a soft spot for bands like this, but my God they are horrible. Just play the album sampler and you will immediately get a super generic riff thrown at your face.
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Jen replied:
August 18th, 2010 at 11:57 am
I'm glad someone else agrees with me. I've heard nothing but hype about this band, but they don't sound like anything special to me – at all. :/
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Kyzee replied:
August 25th, 2010 at 1:00 am
this guy brad and girl Jen are intelligent individuals… this album REEKS of sub mediocrity… makes me sad that this is what passes for "metalcore" or even "melodic metalcore" nowadays? damn… maybe I'm just getting old but bands like this couldn't hold a candle to the early 00's bands that were of the same type of music… now those guys had some chops… but whatever… haha I'm just an old man bitching bout the new times (oh… and while I disagree… review was well written… props to this luke guy… though I think he's insane).
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Luke Amos replied:
August 26th, 2010 at 9:58 pm
Jen would agree with you that I am insane. Thanks for reading it man.
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August 18th, 2010 at 12:01 pm
I like Miss May I alright, and I've enjoyed both their albums. This one was nothing special to me, and it was certainly not very different form their first album, but it wasn't bad at all. So great review man.
However I felt like they were trying to copy TDWP a little too much, especially with the stupid ballad, which I didn't like it when TDWP did it to begin with.
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Luke Amos replied:
August 24th, 2010 at 8:31 pm
Keep it on the down low, but I like TDWP ballad
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August 18th, 2010 at 12:54 pm
I can't say Monument disappointed me like it may have for others. In fact, I feel this CD was stronger than AAFTW overall. The musicianship was spectacular, I actually like Neff's vocals, and of course Levi's highs and lows are top notch to me. Especially on "Masses Of A Dying Breed" where it starts out melodic and slow, and then explodes out of the gates like a war was just ignited.
And to anyone that got the iTunes order, "Rust" ft. Brandan Schippati of Bleeding Through, is fantastic. Heavy and brimming with energy, just like the rest of Monument.
And I actually like "In Recognition", having a little slow of pace through a brutal album like this is actually a good thing to me.
Great review Luke
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Luke Amos replied:
August 24th, 2010 at 8:32 pm
I want to hear Rust…how come my preorder didn't come with that…
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Paul Patterson replied:
August 24th, 2010 at 11:47 pm
The preorder's through the mail didn't come with it
You had to get it off iTunes.
I didn't though, I cheated and got it off a Blogspot :p
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August 18th, 2010 at 2:14 pm
This was an album I was looking forward to, and it did dissapoint.
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August 19th, 2010 at 6:26 pm
sounds like very other metalcore band with clean choruses. really, nothing special
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charlie replied:
August 24th, 2010 at 4:31 pm
pretty much
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August 29th, 2010 at 2:35 am
goddammit !! i couldn't stand these guys and now I have "Monument" on repeat every day !!! yes it really is that catchy, groovy and mosh-worthy.. I'm humming "Gears" as I type this ! Also check out the bonus track " Rust" feat Brandon from Bleeding Through, great track.
These guys totally eclipsed AILD's heavy but unmemorable and bland release.
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Luke Amos replied:
September 17th, 2010 at 1:42 am
Rust is one of my favorite songs. Mostly cuz I love Bleeding Through.
Glad you loved it man!
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maggiecat replied:
March 3rd, 2011 at 9:40 am
<33 miss may i all the way.
its fuckin amazing bleeding through was in their song.
my two favorite bands together!
cant get any better than this.
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May 12th, 2011 at 12:47 pm
Gotta admit I love Miss May I. This was such a solid album. Their live performances are exceptional! I don't think they are "generic" at all. Maybe its cuz I am a biased MMI fan. My favorite song though by them is A Dance With Aera Cura. SO SICK!!!
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