Terminal Romance is the sophomore offering from Canadian rock band Matt Mays & El Torpedo. The disc was released in Canada on July 8th with the first single, Tall Trees already making the rounds of all the radio stations in the Great White North. The disc is slated for release in the U.S. on September 30th. Matt Mays & El Torpedo consist of Matt Mays (guitar, vocals), Jay Smith (guitar, vocals), Andy Patil (bass, vocals), and Tim Jim Baker (drums). This may only be the 2nd album from Matt Mays & El Torpedo but Mr. Mays has actually released 2 other albums, in 2002 a self titled disc which earned him nominations for New Artist of the Year and Adult Alternative Album of the Year, then in 2006 When the Angels Make Contact, a disc that was actually a soundtrack for Mays unfinished film project.
Terminal Romance is a disc full of straight guitar driven alternative folk/rock which is a lot to say but I feel it's the best description of the music. The lead track titled Building A Boat is a rocker with an 80's feel, it's raw but catchy enough to draw the listener in and leave them wanting more. Another standout track is a kind of punk tune called Rock Ranger Record which sounds so much like a Ramones song that I had to Google it to make sure it wasn't a cover. Laser Guided Love is a song that for some reason (I think it's the chorus) reminds me of a Tom Petty song. The 11 original songs flow together very well with the slower tunes and the rockers blending together masterfully.
I can say I enjoyed this disc, it's not groundbreaking revolutionary music but all the songs are worth listening too and after you hear the entire album I'd be willing to bet you'll be listening to it again. I know it's extremely hard to be successful in the music biz but I think if people give them a chance they'll see that Matt Mays & El Torpedo have the talent and skills to make good music.
