Customer Reviews

Century Spring

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Century Spring is just a prime example of the true singer/songwriter that Mason Jennings is. With an intro song like "Livin in a Moment" it was a nice change to here Mason singing about livin away from love, coming down to earth, and spending some good time with freinds. This CD has such a quality mix of ballads, good beats, easy to sing along to songs. "Bullet" just sums up what kind of fun Mason can have as a performer, "Sorry signs..." hits deep no matter how your interpret it. I saw Mason open for Jack Johnson, before I had ever heard of him, and by the end of his performance, I was mad it wasn't a Mason Jennings concert. Nothin towards Jack, but that's what kind of impact Mason has on his listeners. If your a country fan, a blues fan, a bluegrass fan, or a soft rock classic fan, this CD will meet your standards for any activity.

I know the biggest gripe about "Century Spring" is that it's not as good as Mason's first two studio albums. I would have definitly agreed at first. But then I listened to it a couple more times over a few weeks and I began to love the songs just as much. It's different, for sure- certainly a bit more poppy (both production and lyric-wise- as one reviewer mentioned, some of the loves songs lack the subtlety necessary to prevent extreme sappiness). But, hell, Jennings is so genuine and earnest that any percieved "sappiness" is not unpleasant at all. After all, we all feel a bit sappy sometimes. Anyways, get this album because it's fantastic. I feel sticky

After falling in love with the music of Jack Johnson last year, and frequenting his tireless tours; I discovered this guy, who opened on Jack's tour last year. It surprised me that I loved Jack as much as I did, for I typically listen to faster stuff like Incubus, 311, Jurassic5, etc. I discovered Jack at a show(Tulagi's) in Boulder and his music hit me smack in the face. So laid back and melodic. Mason opened for him the next time and jeez louise, more great pop-folk. Kind of alt-country actually. 'Alt' is the key part of that word, for I don't enjoy typical country music in the least.
His stuff has such rhythm and melody, it is hard not to love it. He has many songs that are so much fun to dance to, especially when he's live.
Century Spring is his newest and best disk. It has replaced Jack in my CD player. They are not even the similar really, but to me, they fall into the same genre of music, because again, my normal stuff is harder and faster. All my music is head bopping nonetheless.
Even if you don't get the disk, and you love great live and intimate music, go see him if you come accross him in your town.

Mason's first album had a youthful wildness and 'Birds Flying Away' is the portrait of a thoughtful 25 year-old discovering the world and his responsibility to be a positive voice. 'Century Spring' has a different appeal. Mason is growing up right in front of us. 'Century Spring' is more controlled and sophisticated. I kind of miss the wildness of his youth but he is an artist and he is moving forward.

I was lucky enough to discover him during his first year when he played every Thursday night at the 400 Bar in Minneapolis. One Thursday in the middle of a set he yelled out "I have an illness! I'm sensational!" He is sensational keep an eye on this one.

Wow. What an album. Calling back to the sentiments -- mainly love in all its multi-splendored forms -- that were evident on Mason's first CD, "Century Spring" leaps forward in to the next dimension with beautiful melodies, lyrics that slice-and-dice right to the heart and clean, crisp production that makes it all sound so real and HONEST. Wow. (again).
If this is the beginning of what Mason has on tap songwriting-wise -- I can't wait for the end.

This is a great CD for lovers of good acoustic rock. If you like music such as Jack Johnson, Howie Day, etc., then you should give Century Spring (as well as Mason's previous two albums) a listen. He is a rising talent that you'll hear about sooner or later. He is more popular in some areas but i'm sure he will spread throughout the country. I hope you can pick up this album because every track is a great one that you just want to sing along to.

"Century Spring" is an exciting new CD. The songs boast melodies that stick in your mind. "Living in the Moment" is a toe tapper with Noah Levy's percolating percussion. "Sorry Signs on Cash Machines" features Mason's piano, "I know true love don't love like anybody else." "New York City" is my favorite track with Robert Skoro's infectious bass line and Mason's sweet vocal, "I believe if you fall in love, you should jump right in!" This is a classic track, worth the price of the CD! "Dewey Dell" is a beautifully simple melody where Mason, sounding a bit like Nick Drake, sings about his Galveston girl. The next tune stays simple as Mason is "looking for the light of Forgiveness" with his gentle piano stroking the melody. The title track boasts the insistent strum of acoustic guitar with Mason beating out the drums and some starkly original background vocals. "Bullet" is a perky little tune with a darker lyric, "Oh yes, this song is a joke funny like our house going up in smoke." "Killer's Creek" is a bright tune about an injured guy. On "East of Eden" Mason strums guitar and picks out a pretty melody and sings with high airy vocals, "This heart's still filled with sadness and regret, but I'm learning as I go to forgive the things I just can't forget." The CD concludes with "Adrian," haunting last words of a condemned man to his son, "Let my life empower you." Jennings' CD is bright, original, and a lot of fun. It's one you won't want to miss!

This is spare, accessible CD is Jennings' most sophisticated work to date and reflects a new, lighter spirit than his last album, "Birds Fly Away.'' The CD plumb the lows and, mostly, highs of love and relationships. The opening track, "Living in the Moment" reflects the spirit of the CD. "I thought I could live forever here on my own ... a lonely dreamer, a nonbeliever. Now I'm living in the moment with the friends I love." "Sorry Signs on Cash Machines" is the songwriting highlight. Jennings released this CD on his own label. Samples can be found at his web site ... You will be hooked. Of the past 10 CDs I bought, this is among the best.

This cd is great! I heard this playing in a record store and I just had to ask the girl at the counter who was playing. She exciteably told me it was the best new songwriter around, Mason Jennings. After listening to this cd a couple times over, it's hard for me to disagree with her. He's at least the best new talent of the moment. Jennings has been operating under the radar screen for the last few years on independent labels, which is why I missed him. But on this bigger indie label Architect I think this guy is gonna take off and possibly overtake that other artist who works in the same genre, Ryan Adams. That's saying a lot, but Jennings is a very creative songsmith. He doesn't use any gimmics here. Just straight ahead folk rock with a touch of rock and roll. Some of my favorites off Century Spring: The opener "Living In The Moment" is a great outright pop song that has a Ray Davies feel to it. "New York City" is the one song here that rocks the hardest, but not too hard. This one really had me hitting the repeat button. "Dewey Doll " is another very impressive tune that has a great sound quality that features some wonderful double vocals. My favorite is "Killer's Creek" which reminds me alot of the best folk rock that Donovan did in the 60's, which qualifies this as brilliant. I can't say enough good things about this cd. Clocking in at just 32 minutes it was over way too soon for me. But the good thing here is that every song is a winner! I'm keeping a close eye on this artist, because I think he's a can't miss. Highly recommended!

Mason Jennings is coming to town, so thought I'd check out reviews on him seeing I was unfamiliar with his music, and thought this would be be right up my alley based on them. Some reviews said if you like Jack Johnson's mellow tunes, Dylan's story-telling and Neil Young's raw voice, earnest lyrics and edgy guitar, you should hear Mason Jennings. I find he also sounds like Al Stewart at times. The catchy first tune Living in the Moment is my favorite, but find the other tunes rather mundane, with repetitive chords, passages and phrasing (Sorry Signs... New York City, Dewey Dell, Killer's Creek, East of Eden), there's not much variety from song to song. Agree that he has a very sweet voice, especially in the melancholy tunes, but it's not enough to maintain my interest. I liked Bullet cause it provided a break from the other tracks. I initially ordered a few of his CDs in anticipation of discovering a great talent based on the reviews, and I sure hope I like them better when they get here. I AM sure though that there is positively no hint of Neil Young in this album.