Don't look to the right.

I'm serious. Don't even think about what score I gave this EP until you've read the review or you won't understand what I'm trying to communicate.

Still reading? Good.

First off, let me say that Man Down Medic is an amazing band. They're like The Postal Service gone synthrock with a dash of old-school Yellowcard thrown in. How many groups can pull off a formula like that, much less do it well?

That's why I'm sorry that I have to take their first EP to task, because while Man Down Medic soar above my expectations on musical concept, Fantasyland doesn't quite deliver on the execution. And it's a damn shame.

The EP begins with a ton of promise, and it's hard not to fall in love with MDM's sound right off the bat. If you've ever wondered what "Breathing" by Yellowcard would sound like with synthesizers on top of it (who hasn't?!), the opening track off Fantasyland spends its first minute answering that very question. "Extra Extra" definitely has the catchiest hook on the entire disc and is a shining example of MDM's pop sensibility fully realized; the back-and-forth between singers is highly reminiscent of "Nothing Better" by The Postal Service. Unfortunately, the production job on the song leaves a bit to be desired, as the instruments have a bad tendency of overpowering the vox and violin at times. With that fixed and a little trim on the opening/ending, however, this could easily become MDM's flagship song.

The lyrics and melody to "Autoraces" are absolutely brilliant, but the production mars things once again; I can take or leave the exact sound of the synthesizers, but the levels need some tweaking and the vocals some polishing before this becomes a stand-out track. "Electro" is another winner in my book, with great backing electronics and heavy Minus the Bear vibes, but the chorus is too busy for my tastes, and the drums (especially the crashes) are mixed way too loudly. The vox delivery also could use some smoothing out; I understand why they're done the way they are, but it often sounds... dispassionate. "So Convenient" is a whimsical little number that has a lot of future potential; unfortunately, it also needs the most work, because it seems like five songs smashed into one. Beginning with slightly out-of-tune strings that a regular guitar could easily substitute, it seems headed towards an alternative rock approach before grinding to a halt for a Straylight Run-style bridge. Then a garage rock-style chorus takes over, where the vocals jump around as haphazardly as the song itself, leaving the singer out of breath and obscuring moments of brilliant stripped-down harmonization in the process.

Don't get me wrong now, there's a lot to like in these four songs if the vocals strike your fancy and you don't mind your speakers getting blown out every once in a while. The problem is that I'm convinced MDM can do better than this, and Fantasyland's self-titled final track explains why: it's dark and haunting piece that takes you completely by surprise, channeling TESMFM-era The Receiving End of Sirens with well-placed, hard-hitting drums and strings/synths that cut right through the aural landscape; it even takes a move out of the Coheed & Cambria playbook by recycling the chorus to "Electro" while masterfully transforming its original nature. There's so much to like about it!

But just when you think it's going somewhere, the track abruptly ends. This leaves me feeling about "Fantasyland" the song much as I do about Fantasyland the album: As a concept, it's great. In execution, it leaves a lot to be desired.

Man Down Medic is a band with so much going for it, but they have some trouble fully conveying their talent. This reminds me a lot of Mayday Parade's first EP, and I don't mean musically; I mean production-wise. Much like Tales Told by Dead Friends, the tracks on Fantasyland sound like demos; under-realized gems waiting to be cut and polished to a shine. With a little more time in the studio and at the mixing board, these songs have great potential.

I'm truly hoping Man Down Medic's next offering will better realize it.

Reviewed by Dan Lifschitz