Mae - Singularity (2007)

Virginia alt-rockers Mae run the risk of being lumped in with other genre "positivists" such as Relient K and Switchfoot, but based on the aptly named Singularity, that would be a mistake, as the LP sets them apart as pop perfectionists who are able to synthesize bright melodic hooks and rock muscle into a guitar pop perfection that is (yes) singular. This is a lively, octane-fueled, and hook-ridden album that yields up all kinds of power pop delights. Producer Howard Benson (My Chemical Romance, the All American Rejects) couches the group's gift for melodic invention in dynamic cloudbursts of guitars, from the limber, energetic wallop of modern rock that is "Brink of Disaster" to the tough but pretty "Crazy 8s." Both of those are very good songs -- and there are lots of tracks of that caliber here -- but in other spots the songs reach into the rarer stratosphere of gorgeous, love-rock perfection. "Just Let Go" is such a track, a timeless blend of wheeling guitars, lush beds of vocal harmonies, and a spine-tingling chorus. "Rocket" shows a more aggressive side of the group, with the guitars gunning more live Velvet Revolver than Switchfoot. But even this stance is undercut by some hooky flourishes and bright keyboard twinkles, and Singularity is clear evidence that Mae has evolved into an excellent rock band, one that never sacrifices beauty or songcraft in the face of big guitars.