Madina Lake

I can't support those haircuts, but this music is undeniably good.

You know, sometimes you just have to look beyond looks and image to recognize good music. For a band that looks like the Bravery meets Flock of Seagulls, I would suspect many fans not interested in that sort of thing to overlook these guys completely, and for the most part that makes sense. I probably wouldn't have given them a first look if I didn't stumble across them at Bamboozle earlier this Summer. See, there was a bunch of downtime before Muse and MCR that day, which led to a bunch of aimless wandering trying to avoid having to listen to Cartel or Say Anything, and at one of the side stages we found this band I ended up really liking called Manchester Orchestra. I bought their CD and hoodie that I have been wearing and listening to a bunch all year. So once they were done, the band next to them immediately came on and it was these goofy fellas pictured above. I distinctly remember saying that I thought they sounded great, but looked so silly I couldn't take them seriously.

Well now, like 4 months later, I their name kept popping up, and I'd hear a song here or there that, of course, was pretty rad, so I finally tracked down their album. It's great! I've been listening to it for the last couple weeks and really dig it a lot. There is a microscopic line between emo-pop shit and success, and this record squarely falls on the side with MCR, Taking Back Sunday, Armor for Sleep and the rest of the good guys. Sure, it's big and obvious and really easy to fall into all those massive hooks, but sometimes (often times) that's exactly what I want to listen to.

Oh, by the way, did I mention this is a concept album?  OH YES. Just found this out while googling the band this AM. From wikipedia: (and I have no reason to question it's validity here...)

"Madina Lake is named after the fictional 1950's town from a story Matthew penned. The town is turned upside down when its most famous socialite, Adalia, mysteriously disappears."

Of course it is. I also learned that the two twins in the band took prize money from winning fear factor to record the first demos. So there's that too?

Listen, all the pieces fall into place for this to be a band that gets endlessly mocked if they are lucky enough to break out beyond their already somewhat sizable fanbase. The twist is they're significantly better than the rest of their bands from their genre. Hope that helps. They also seem like nice guys from this MTV2 interview, for whatever that's worth. Anybody who bitches about all the style over substance bands owe it to themselves kick that attitude in reverse and give these guys a shot.

Madina Lake - Here I Stand (mp3)

Madina Lake - Now or Never (mp3)

More at Myspace, etc.

Comments

[Mandy]

I think what you said about Madina Lake is the type of attitude everyone should possess when listening to a new band. The only thing that is slightly concerning is that, because of their looks, you weren't going to give them a chance, but unlike a lot of people, you actually listened to the music and lyrics and realized they hold a lot of resonance with their fans. They're playing and singing what they know, the beats from their hearts and the lyrics from their thoughts. They're going to go places. As someone who has spent a lot of time with those four, I can tell you they are so genuine, and would never try to copy or rip off another band, and while they might not personally like every band and the members, they would never bash them (unless they were attacked and provoked, which has happened once or twice) and wouldn't like any of their fans, or anyone in general running down other bands. They're all in this together. (And by the way, I know they look like they're in their early 20's, but they're in their late 20's/early 30's. I know that seems crazy, but if you do a bit of research you can figure it out. Their graduation dates, sibling ages, and life activities simply do not correspond to an early 20's age. Sorry!! But age does not matter)

[Woah!]

Madina lake are awesome! Music is amazing, their concerts are probably the best ones you could go to. And its just a bonus that they are incredibly nice. xx

[adrianna]

aren't they playing warped tour this summer?!!?
can't wait to see them, but they are on tour now w/anberlin = awesome!!!!
i've heard their new stuff and its amazing, i need Attics to Eden to some out NOW!

[Emily]

I found this review by mistake and saw the first few comments. These guys are the farthest thing from a joke. These guys do everything they do with only the music and their fans in mind. Nathan, matthew, dan, and mateo don't care about clothes, trends, scenes, haircuts, or anything like that. And whoever said that ML are the ones that rip other bands off? Not true at all. Whoever said that had already had their minds made up about these four amazing guys before you have them or their music a chance. Their music has meaning and value whereas others just throwip words on a page and call that a song. Anybody could do that! Madina lake actually thinks about what their writing about. What they write is poetic, genius, and truthful! To those people, try finding another band like that then tell me about them. Madina lake makes music the way that they want to, and I'm a fan that backs them up entirely.

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[Cazis]

I met them yesterday!! And i hugged matthew leone!!!

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[samsun]

I cannot believe how sad you haters are, coming on here and dissing the hell outta Madina Lake...

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[Caroline]

How can MADINA LAKE rip off MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE?! That seems impossible...Two different causes for writing songs, so obviously none of their songs are alike.