Jack's Mannequin - The Glass Passenger
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Free Music Notes for The Glass Passenger
Free Music Review: Andrew McMahon Continues To Amaze
Hit: 5 Stars
First off, I want to make a few things known. I've been listening to this CD for about a month now as I received an advanced copy. The Glass Passenger is probably my least favorite of Andrew McMahon's four prominent CDs (Everything in Transit, North, & Leaving Through the window). That being said, this CD is still amazing. I've listened to the CD it seems about 100 times. It's more mature than his previous efforts and his voice sounds a bit different but it's not neccessarily bad. Some songs, however, take a bit of listening to get into. The primary reason that I can't say that The Glass Passenger is better than his previous albums is because I tend to skip a few tracks when listening which I've never done with the other 3. However, don't expect it to lack in the passion, catchy tunes, and heavy, piano-driven songs that are easy to sing along to from his previous albums. This album will not dissapoint in that aspect. Songwise, some are better than others. One thing that I dislike is some of his choruses on the album are pretty weak. The songs:
The Resolution - An amazing, powerful song that you'll be singing before you even finish the song for the first time.
Spinning - This has become my favorite track on the whole record. It reminds me of the old Andrew McMahon and the beat is incredible.
Swim - This is the first track that stood out to me on the first listen. It's emotional and the lyrics are very good.
American Love - Good, catchy song but this is a track similar to what I mentioned previously about having a weak chorus (Big hearts are for breaking?) Of the songs that have weak choruses though, this is my favorite.
What gets you off - I like this song as well but it took awhile. Andrew's voice is noticeably changed on this track.
Crashing - Another song similar to spinning... a throwback to his older stuff. Very catchy and good lyrics. I like this song a lot.
Annie Use Your Telescope - I've heard that a lot of people like this song but I usually skip this track. Musically, this song encompasses a lot of instruments but I'm more into lyrics and this song doesn't do it for me.
Suicide Blonde - Here's another one of the bad chorus songs. Chances are, if the chorus was different, this could be one of the better songs on the album. But it's not.
Drop Out - I really dig this song. Powerful stuff... I feel like this track could have ended the album.
Hammers and Strings - It took a couple listens to really appreciate this song. His voice is again more mature on this track but really this is just a beautful song in the same sense as Konstantine.
Bloodshot - This is another one of the good songs. It's faster-paced and kind of intense but it'll stick in your head for a day after you listen.
Orphans - I skip this track too usually. The chorus is stupid (You're no orphan?) and it feels really out of place. The verses are decent and make the song listen-able though.
Caves - Wow. This song is absolutely incredible. The first time I listened to it, I didn't appreciate it because the first 3 minutes are slow and drawn out but it slowly progresses and you can feel Andrew's heart and soul in this song.
Overall, go out and buy this album.
Free Music Review: He's back and it's just as good as it used to be
Hit: 5 Stars
Andrew McMahon is possibly one of the most talented composer/musician of this generation. His songs both in Jack's Mannequin as well as in his old band Something Corporate are constantly the work of pure genius and are always unique in their own personal way.
When "Everything In Transit" came out in 2005, it was a huge hit and a lot of people loved it. "The Glass Passenger" was therefore, a highly anticipated album (It was Alternative Press' most anticipated album of 2008). And the bottom line in my opinion is that it delivers all that we could have asked for...if not more than that.
The album kicks off with "Crashin", "Spinning" and "Swim" which are all typical Jack's Mannequin songs full of beautiful choruses, catchy vocal melodies and beautiful additions from the piano. "Spinning" actually sounds a lot like the songs on "North", Something Corporate's 2003 album.
The disc then moves into a relatively new direction with "American Love" which sounds more like an 80/90's radio-rock anthem with a huge chorus which will have crowds singing "Big hearts big hearts, big hearts are for breaking". It doesn't sound like anything Andrew has written, but unsuprisingly, it works.
We then move into one of my personal favorites "What Gets You Off" which is once again a Jack's Mannequin typical comprised of all the elements stated previously. "Suicide Blonde" comes in next. This is personally the single track that I don't like in the new album. It sounds awkward and forced with a chorus that is transported into a different key signature than the verse. This is possibly a matter of taste but it didn't cut if for me.
"Annie use your telescope" follows and sounds A LOT like Something Corporate, but it is a great song. "Bloodshot" is a relatively new style for Andrew but once again it works wonderfully. "Drop Out- The So Unknown" is another typical Andrew song with all the wonderful elements that we've come to love his songs for. "Hammers And Strings" then comes in, and it is possibly one of my favorite Jack's Mannequin songs. It's slow, it's beautiful and the vocals are so heartfelt you will really feel touched, a truly wonderful track.
"The Resolution" and "Orphans" to me sound a bit like filler tracks, they're good but nothing too special about them. However, they are followed by "Caves" where Andrew steps into completely new grounds. The song is practically experimental with bizarre pianos and reaching 8 minutes in length. But once again, it is absolutely beautiful and Andrew has managed to step out of his comfort zone and absolutely nailed it to perfection. The album then finishes with "Miss America", another typical Jack's Mannequin song which is a nice way to close the album.
Overall, the album incorporates elements of both "Everything In Transit" and "North" by Something Corporate but Andrew hasn't simply written the same album all over again. He has pushed his boundaries and stepped forward with his musical genius. He hasn't re-invented rock music, nor himself, but he has moved a step closer to perfecting the way he crafts his music and honestly, what more could we ask for?
Pierre Schifflers
Free Music Review: McMahon's Glass Passenger Worth The Wait
Hit: 5 Stars
Following a three year hiatus after 2005's Everything In Transit, Andrew McMahon is back with The Glass Passenger. After being diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) on the day the band mastered EIT, Jack's Mannequin did not start playing shows again until the end of 2005. They started writing The Glass Passenger in 2007 and the album was to be released April 2008, but more delays caused the album to be pushed back until September 30.
To say this is the best CD of 2008 would be an understatement. Instead of being down about being dealt lemons, McMahon takes the high road on The Glass Passenger. His life altering experience with ALL has given him a new sense of life and you hear the fight in every heartfelt word. You are taken on an emotional journey, that starts with the what if.. track Crashin ("Even if my voice comes back again, maybe there'll be no one listening") and builds up to Caves, which starts with raw vocals and culminates to something very special. You'll need to listen to understand, but if you've heard Caves played live, you've only heard the beginning. My only complaint with the American release is that Suicide Blonde, which needs a better chrous to be whole, wasn't replaced with the Japanese releases' bonus track Doris Day. If you're looking for Everything In Transit Part 2, this is not it. The first half of the CD sounds somewhat similar to Something Corporate (say that 5 times fast!), while the majority of the 2nd half slows down and takes a few listens to grow on you. Once you listen to the words, you'll see the soul of Andrew McMahon shine. The Glass Passenger is a more emotional, real look from the perspective of a man who almost lost his life way too young. McMahon wrote this album with the intent to "get the listener through the bad days", and the album does just that. Instead of feeling glum, you find yourself singing along as you're taken on a rollercoaster. Put The Glass Passenger in your CD player and press repeat, I received an advanced copy 2 months ago and haven't stopped listening yet. Today my autographed, mastered album will arrive and I look forward to framing this true masterpiece.
Free Music Review: The walls caved in tonight, and Andrew is telling us about from his point of view.
Hit: 5 Stars
When "Everything in Transit" came out in 2005, I could not have been more excited. I was a mild fan of "Leaving through the Window" and could not get enough of "North" It was something about hearing Andrew pour out his heart on Jack' Mannequin's first album that dragged me into the league of fandom I am at now though. The songs were more personal, the music more stripped down, It was the perfect album to me. And as soon as I bought it on release day, my new favorite singer was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. It made all the personal experiances of "Everything in Transit" almost hard to enjoy. I followed Andrew's fight carefully, and was there to celebrate at his first tour following his battle.
I also wondered if I would ever hear a new album from this songwriting genius. Originally Jack's Mannequin was a side project, and there was no sign of Something Corprate ever making new music. So as soon as read about the Glass Passenger, I literally jumped up and down in joy. I waited patientlly through the release date changes, and finally I got to hear this wonderful masterpeice.
Andrew took the best of both worlds and melted them into this career defining album. His masterful storytelling from "North", and the personal hardships of the last three years. I enjoy every song on this album, nodding my head up and down to "Suicide Blonde", and singing along wholeheartedly with "Hammers and Strings". But the real standout is "Caves". I would never claim to say I know how Andrew felt when writing this song, all I know is I can't listen to this song without shedding at least a few tears.
In short, if have ever liked anything that Andrew has done, from Something Corprate, to guest spots with Tommy Lee, or The Spill Canvas, go out and buy two copies of this album. Andrew is one artist who deserves it.
Free Music Review: I'll Write You A Lullaby
Hit: 5 Stars
I'm a huge Jack's Mannequin fan, and therefore was quite excited to get this album, after anxiously waiting three years for it's release. I was not disappointed. Lead singer Andrew McMahon could be described as a musical genius, crafting songs that fill you with emotion. Given Andrew's recent experience with cancer, one would think that this album would be a downer, filled with sadness, but it is instead quite the opposite. Rather then being a record about getting sick, this is a record about getting better, and the songs are filled with strength and hope. I won't go through a track by track summary since many reviewers have already done that, but I will point out my favorite tracks, such as Hammer's and Strings (A Lullaby), which is a beautiful ballad about not giving up and finding hope, and Crashin, the upbeat opener that proclaims "I want to hear some music." Even tracks that I didn't care for as much on the first listen, such as Suicide Blonde and Orphans, have grown on me, and all the tracks fit together to make what has quickly become one of my favorite albums. I don't think this album should be compared to Everything In Transit, since they were written at very different times in Andrew's life, and are both brilliant albums in their own right. I urge anyone who has not gotten this album yet to make the purchase, rather it is from Amazon or elsewhere, for you will not be disappointed. I also recommend going to Jack's Mannequin's upcoming headlining tour, as they will be playing the new album live, and it should be an unforgettable experience.