Derek Sanders – My Rock and Roll Heart

By: Jennifer Vintzileos

Just in time for all of us romantics who still dream of a Vans Warped Tour revival, Derek Sanders from Mayday Parade has released his first solo EP of alt-rock covers. Aptly titled My Rock and Roll Heart”, the five-song collection features acoustic tracks from favorites such as Goodbye Love, Something Corporate, The Juliana Theory, Saves The Day and Jimmy Eat World. And Sanders, with a little bit of magic, captures the romance in each song by softening the melodies and melting our hearts vocally.

As each track was carefully chosen by Sanders from his collection of personal favorites, My Rock & Roll Heart brings me back to warm summer nights cruising with the windows down in my ’96 Jetta with the speakers blasting my latest CD mix. There is not a selection out of place:

Track #1: “For Lauren” (Goodbye Love) – Sanders originally performed this song as a Valentine’s Day gift for his wife back in 2017. And while at first it was meant for his wife’s ears only, I feel like we’re being let in on such a beautiful and intimate moment right from the get-go.

Track #2: “Rocks Tonic Juice Magic” (Saves The Day) – As a New Jersey native I give major props for this selection as Saves The Day was a go-to of my college era. The grit and rock of the original gets a soft touch and I can’t get enough of it.

Track #3: “A Praise Chorus” (Jimmy Eat World) – My emo heart is sated. With the added vocals of Daniel Lancaster from Stages & Stereos, these two do this Jimmy Eat World classic justice.

Track #4: “Punk Rock Princess” (Something Corporate) – While I have always enjoyed Andrew McMahon’s vocals on this one, there is something about turning “Punk Rock Princess” acoustic that I appreciate on a whole new level.

Track #5: “August in Bethany” (The Juliana Theory) – There is no better way to end this album. From the gentle lull of the piano keys to those soft, melodic notes, it’s perfect. Brett Detar should be proud.

Through each track you feel the soul of My Rock & Roll Heart. Whether it be through the signature timbre of Sanders’s voice or the gentle lull of the acoustic guitar, by the end you will realize that Derek Sanders is a big romantic and isn’t afraid to show it!

My Rock and Roll Heart is available for download February 14^th.