Anywhere But Here is the 2nd studio album from pop punk band Mayday Parade which was released through Atlantic Records in early October 2009. Anywhere But Here has been released with a new writing style due to founding member, lyricist, vocalist and guitarist Jason Lancaster leaving the band. Produced by David Bendeth (Paramore, Taking Back Sunday, All Time Low) Anywhere But Here gives both the fans and Mayday a more fine tuned vocal and guitar sound which is sure to be notice in their live performances.

With a new sound to go along with the new writing style Anywhere But Here has gotten mixed reviews from the already die hard fan base. There is still plenty of energy on this album whether its from the big bouncy beats from drummer Jake Bundrick and bass guitarist Jeremy Lenzo, distinctive vocals of Derek Sanders or the highly rated guitar playing from Alex Garcia and Brooks Betts.

The first song is “Kids In Love” the bands second single from the album gives fans an insight into Mayday’s new sound. With Derek’s distinctive vocals this song takes you on a journey through a first love and the ups and downs that occur. With Jake’s drumming and Alex and Brook’s more clean cut guitar playing being consistent throughout the track is sure to make this one of the best songs on the album. With its catchy chorus this song is bound to get you singing and dancing along in no time.

Second on the album is the title track “Anywhere But Here” originally called “Secret Love” the first line of the chorus but was later changed as they didn’t want “Secret Love” to follow “Kids In Love”. With the feel of their first album “A Lesson In Romantics” this song is sure to be a hit with their existing fan base. The guitar melodies show how far the band have come before building to an explosive but very catchy chorus.

“The Silence” was originally written for the twilight saga new moon soundtrack but wasn’t selected still fits with the mood of the album. The simple but still effective lead guitar riffs guide you into the soothing lead vocals. With lyrics such as “his heart of stone left hers breaking, Every night she cries and dies a little more each time” it tells a story about the bitterness of being alone. The new polished guitar riffs and rhythm sections in this song help show the diversity of Mayday Parade’s new sound.

With the drum and guitars hook melody from the start “Bruised And Scarred” is the type of song that will always put a smile on your face. This track is the one that shows just how much the band has grown since 2006. The vocals along with the almost perfect backing track is sure to win them a lot more adoring fans when played live. It shows the writing of the lyrics and their determination to be honest takes preference over gimmicks other bands use. Derek’s vocals not only takes you on the journey from start to finish but also makes you believe he means every word he sings.

“Get Up” is bound to be a highlight on future tours with its catchy lyrics and melody that will have you hooked in no time. By far one of drummer Jake’s most impressive performances along with the added bonus of infectious guitar and vocal melodies. With lyrics like “Get up, get up, sing it like you're screaming at me” this song will have you wanting to throw your hands in the air along to the chorus.

Mayday have managed to pull off ballads such “Save Your Heart” and “Still Breathing” while still keeping their flair. They might not be as emotionally gripping lyrically as the ones on their last album, but they still hold their own. “Save Your Heart” with its slower tempo and chorus still manage to be uplifting. The music takes a back seat apart from the keyboards which adds another dimension to the song allow for the message of falling in love with the wrong person to be heard. “Still Breathing” has a beautiful guitar solo in the bridge and beautifully written despite being about the transition from break up to singleton.

Bringing Anywhere But Here to a close is a song called “The End” which is the bands way of saying that sometime people come and go out of your life and is a great way to end the album. “To all my friends, let's make this count: we're not alone, How can you think that any of this was easy with all the friends I've lost along the way? When this is over, we're all getting older now and we all play a part in it, Innocence is falling, can you hear them calling now? And I'll be by your side until the end” is by far one of the bands strongest lyrical transitions on the whole album. The guitar solos in this song add a tasteful ending and closing to the album.

As Mayday Parade themselves have said this album is a fresh start for them, it is quite a good effort and is sure to get them a lot more new fans. Although to familiar fans the significant absent of Jason Lancaster will be noticed they can’t fault the efforts the rest of the band have produced with this new record. This album builds on the foundations that they laid with 'A Lesson In Romantics' with its youth friendly catchy lyrics and more polished backing tracks.