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Jack's Mannequin - Everything in Transit
List Price: $13.98Our Price: $7.66You Save: $6.32 (45%)Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Music CD See more new music releases
Music CD CoverArtist: Jack's Mannequin Brand: JACK'S MANNEQUIN Edition: Music CD CD Release Date: 2005-08-23 Music Label: Maverick Soundtracks: - Holiday From Real
- The Mixed Tape
- Bruised
- I'm Ready
- La La Lie
- Dark Blue
- Miss Delaney
- Kill the Messenger
- Rescued
- MFEO Pt 1 Made for Each Other
- MFEO Pt 2 You Can Breathe
- Into the Airwaves
Free Music Notes for Everything in TransitFree Music Review: Emotional Excellence Hit: 5 Stars
For anyone that doesn't know, here is the quick background on this album. Andrew McMahon (singer, songerwriter, pianist) had been making music with his feature band, "Something Corporate", ever since graduation from high school and needed a break from that scene (not breaking up the band, simply a break). He returned home to California to relax and found the only way to releave some of his tensions was to write music. The songs that came from his mind were not going to ever be recorded by Something Corporate, but the more that he wrote the more he felt they should be shared with the world. So Jack's Mannequin was formed for the purpose of releasing these songs, the quint-essential "side project" that is so popular now. Fate is a very weird thing though, only days after the release of "Everything In Transit" McMahon was diagnosed with leukemia. On the road to recovery now (Jack's Mannequin released a Christmas track this past holiday season and Something Corporate is due back in the studio this year), this album serves as a bitter reminder of how fragile life can be.
Here are my ratings for the tracks...
1. Holiday From Real (8/10): How's this for creepy... the album opens with the verse "She say's I'm much to thin, she asks me if I'm sick?" Little did he know he really was. Excellent opening for this CD. While not what SoCo fans are use to from McMahon, it sets the tone for this album... it begins the story of going back home and the emotions that come with it. Vocals are excellent, as well as piano and drum work on this one.
2. The Mixed Tape (9/10): The first single from the album, a rock track similar to SoCo's "Only Ashes". The guitar opening to this one is excellent, definatly a track to wake one up to face the day. A far cry from the melo opening of the album, this one slaps you across the face to show the harder side of the story.
3. Bruised (8/10): Again some background... "Konstantine" is an old Something Corporate track that was never suppose to become famous, in fact it was never released on any SoCo US albums (only on a import). The piano work on this 7 minute ballad is extraordinary, causing it to be requested furiously by fans until McMahon finally began to play it live at shows. Now back to the track... as a thank you to fans for their long time support, the intro to "Bruised" was changed to one similar to "Konstantine". For that reason I give the track a 8, the rest of the song, to me, are not great, only average.
4. I'm Ready (8/10): I consider this one of the happy songs of the album, don't know why really, but it always puts me in a good mood listening to it. The piano and drums on the track are excellent and McMahon's dialoge near the end where he questions why society has set certain rules on things is perfectly placed in the track. Great middle song.
5. La La Lie (5/10): This is one of the tracks that sounds absolutly nothing like Something Corporate, closer actually to a Beatles sound then anything else. Some will love that and McMahon's expertise on the piano make it possible, but for me, well its just not my cup of tea. Too old school poppy for me (and when I say old school, I mean 1960's old school). While the lyrics are good and go along well with the story being told on the CD, I can't get past the sound of the song. A track I always skip.
6. Dark Blue (9/10): The middle of this CD is excellent, beginning with this track. The piano opening is great, but the rhythm guitar work on the track is what keeps my attention. The song deals with depression, being alone while surronded by so many. Truly touching and emotional, as all the following tracks will be. Excellent.
7. Miss Delaney (7/10): I didn't like this track at first, but it has slowly began to grow on me. Again, the guitar work mixed with McMahon's vocals are excellent. A more fast paced ballad then previous tracks on this release, it deals with the longing for someone that you simply cannot have. Might take a couple listens before enjoying the song, but give it a chance and I'm confident you'll enjoy it as well.
8. Kill The Messanger (9/10): The next two tracks are remarkable, both incredibly sad songs, but extremely well done. The song is about the pain one feels when realizing what they can't have. Lyrically beautifull, an amazing take on the rejection.
9. Rescued (10/10): One of my favorite songs period, not only on this album but of all time. Every part of this song is remarkable... from the piano, to the lyrics, voice, melody, drums, everything. Its a song about giving up, of realizing what has happened and not fighting anymore. A depressing topic, I know, but one that is done is such a magnificant way that I still amazed by it today. The lyric "Oh say you'll miss me one last time... I'll be strong, but whatever you do, please don't get me rescued" chokes me up every time I hear it.
10. MFEO (6/10): I would give this even a lower grade if it wasn't for the second part of the song which I do enjoy. Like track 5, it has an old sound to it that I can't get into. Whenever I listen to the track I always fast forward to the second half, simply can't listen to the beginning (which lasts quite awhile sadly).
11. Into The Airwaves (6/10): Great concept to the song, realizing that in the end he didn't want to be home, so as far as the concept of the story its a perfect ending. The music, though, leaves much to be desired. An attempt at a SoCo sound (similar to "Globes and Maps") but without the results. Drum and base work are good, but the guitar and rhythm as a whole simply don't mesh too well in my opinion.
Three songs that are average and I still give this one five stars. The other tracks on this CD, in particular "Mixed Tape", "Kill The Messanger", and "Rescued" make this one a classic. An album for everyone!
Everything in Transit PosterJack's Mannequin, the angst-flavored, SoCal-vibed side project of Something Corporate's singer-song-writer Andrew McMahon, debuted live at SXSW and now debuts on album with Everything in Transit. Produced by Jim Wirt (Incubus, Alien Ant Farm), and featuring Motley Crue's Tommy Lee on drums, Everything in Transit offers yet another stage for the ethereal voice of an iconoclastic performer who is among alt-rock's most popular artists.
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