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16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Thought-Provoking Masterwork..., October 1, 2008
The essence of The Glass Passenger is Andrew McMahon's valiant fight for life. He was diagnosed with lieukemia the same day that the mastering was completed on Everything in Transit, and it is a harrowing story of how one of America's most beloved and talented musicians nearly did not record another album, as quite simply he might not have been around, as the first track, Crashin', on TGP illustrates well.
A scary thought, seeing as few singer/songwriters out there are able to brilliantly conduct a mini-symphony with just a piano as McMahon can. For people unfamiliar with the group, it IS Andrew McMahon. Like Conor Oberst is to Bright Eyes. He is the heart and soul of this music, and good god, what incredible music he has the potential to make.
Let's get something clear. This album is not as catchy, nor as good, as Everything in Transit. But it doesn't have to be. Every note encapsulates Andrew's struggle for life, as well as his rejuvenated spirit in the wake of being given a second chance. TGP could be the soundtrack to anyone's life, and it is perfect listening material, no matter what mood the listener is in.
I would argue the album is broken down into two parts. The first six songs are similar to Something Corporate, except for Swim, which is a special, albeit slightly dull piano ballad. But not a ballad to a girl, like would be found on EIT. It is a ballad to the celebration of life, and to pulling yourself out of the deepest of holes. Spinning is the best track on the album, no doubt. It is destined to be the catchiest song of fall 2008, and although I haven't quite pulled together its meaning, it is truly amazing. American Love is a wonderful track, albeit with poor lyrical work, and What Gets You Off?, while sporting the most awkward title ever created, is pure essence of McMahon's soul.
Now, the second half of the album loses steam. Everyone is ranting about Annie Use Your Telescope, but it really detracts from the overall flow of the album. The last few songs are noticeably slower, and, although I HATE to say it, a little boring. First single, The Resolution, does not fit among these tracks and should have been the first track on the album. good pick for the first single, though.
This album is amazing, whether it immediately grabs you or not. I know it took me a couple times to appreciate it, and in fact, I was about ready to dismiss it altogether. But I just lost a friend to suicide four days ago, and so far, this had provided me the soundtrack for finding grief. Personally, it was almost astonishing how well timed this album's release was to help me get through the pain, and indeed it did. It will give any dark heart solace, and it is overwhelming to hear just how ecstatic McMahon is to be alive. A triumph.
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16 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Andrew McMahon Continues To Amaze, September 30, 2008
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.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Glass Passenger Stays in Fifth Gear, October 11, 2008
I think we have come to the point where whatever Andrew delivers as music, it is going to be, simply put, good. Be the songs from Something Corporate, be them from Jack's Mannequin, be them b-sides, a-sides, live performances, demos...you get the point. The songs are just good. The question is: how good?
The Glass Passenger delivers, really, an era's worth of music spanning post-cancer Andrew. The four b-sides for this album: Cellular Phone, Doris Day, At Full Speed, and Sleazy Wednesday are all great songs that really could (and probably should) be on the album. Couple that group of songs with the 14 songs spanning almost a full hour on the actual record, and well, you have an era's worth of music after a long, eager wait for The Glass Passenger to arrive.
It is cliche to say that an album is the sum of its predecessors, but I unfortunately will resort to doing so with The Glass Passenger. Providing the punch of "Window," the mood of North, and the friendly, piano-potent brilliance that is Everything in Transit, The Glass Passengers offers all of the prior and perhaps more, with front-heavy vocals playing a large factor that distinguishes this album from those prior. The bottom line is, I love this album.
The album begins with a punch, with the sing along "Crashin'," which is really just a fun song that sets the mood for the album, both lyrically and musically. "Spinning" becomes one of the best tracks on the album, a sort of in your face pop ballad, setting the mood for the more serious, "Swim" which, at this point, is my favorite song on the album. It builds up nicely, and once you know the song, the anticipation of the bridge and final chorus is nothing shy of exciting. "American Love" is one of the weaker tracks I have heard from Andrew, but it is what it is, and therefore has its place. "What Gets You Off" is one of the tracks I was referring to when I mentioned the album is vocally-driven. Andrew layers his voice nicely on this track, and I think this becomes another very solid song, spanning five minutes. "Suicide Blonde" is more pop-oriented and very catch, which very nice piano-delays and a fun chorus. "Annie" is a different song that comes together nicely as his vocals begin to pile up on one another, and the synth on this song is beautiful. "Bloodshot" is another in your face track with dazzling musical arrangement, and is certainly not stripped down. The piano works really well with the bass, especially at the end, so much so that my car stereo can't seem to handle it. "Drop Out" isn't one of my favorites, but it's a nice song that fits. "Hammers and Strings" is simply gorgeous and builds up powerfully, becoming one of the best songs on the record. "The Resolution" gets the 'single' tag, but it is certainly a great song, a sing a long of sorts that reminds me of Something Corporate's Leaving Through the Window. "Orphans" is another one of the weaker tracks, but with that said, it is nice, short, and provides a good transition to the epic "Caves," which is really built in three parts, with a fantastic piano bridge. "Miss California" is another brilliant song, ending the album with in upbeat fashion, with soaring piano, vocals, the whole works of what has always made a great "Andrew" song.
I won't dare to rank The Glass Passenger among the other three major works of Andrew. Some may find it to be the best yet, with so much musical arrangement and solid vocal performance. It is probably his most diverse-sounding album that certainly takes more risks than Everything in Transit. With that said, some may find this to be his weakest album yet. Maybe, maybe not. I will say this, that if he found a way to put Cellular Phone in place of American Love, and At Full Speed in place of Orphans this album might become that much stronger. But again, this is an era of music, and the songs on the album are simply on the album. "The Glass Passenger" certainly won't garnish the same Amazon ranking as Everything in Transit (310 out of 326 rating it with 5-stars: I think that's the best fan-reviewed album I have ever seen on here). Take that as it is, but no one can deny the one thing that all of Andrew's music has in common. It's good.
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