We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things

Jason Mraz | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 13, 2008)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Atlantic
• ASIN: B0013FNC38
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (230 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #591 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #36 in Music > Pop > Adult Alternative

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.co.uk

Since 2002’s jaunty Waiting for My Rocket to Come, Jason Mraz has developed into a more mature, well-rounded pop artist. We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things is his most multi-dimensional work yet, covering everything from groove-based material to ballads. While tracks such as "Make It Mine" and "Butterfly" refer back to the catchy style of previous albums, there are many other styles and textures on display here. His duet with Colbie Caillat, "Lucky," for example, explores his folkish, acoustic side, as does the compelling "Details in the Fabric," both of which are excellent songs. Mraz gets a little more experimental on "Coyotes," which toys with a clubby electronica and strangely seems to work, and on "The Dynamo of Volition" for which he employs a hectic, rapping-style of vocal over a typically contagious rhythm. His ballads, such as "Love For A Child", "If It Kills Me" and "Beautiful Mess" (these last two saved for the end) show a more sensitive side and even when his lyrics are occasionally clumsy, Mraz manages to make his point in an emotive way. Easy-going and sunny, but with laudable elements of depth and innovation, this is Mraz at his best so far.--Danny McKenna

Product Description

Jason Mraz’s first set of all-new material in nearly three years, WE SING. WE DANCE. WE STEAL THINGS. sees Mraz continuing to tread his own distinctive artistic path, melding a variegated musical tapestry with passionate, personal lyricism. Among the highlights are collaborations with British tunesmith James Morrison and singer/ songwriter Colbie Caillat.

"I’m Yours," the album’s first single, was chosen due to the undeniable fan response to the song. A demo version of "I’m Yours" originally appeared on a limited release bonus EP Mraz put out with his last album. Today the song is an online sensation, with hundreds of usergenerated videos from more than 25 different countries now appearing on YouTube. Jason will be hitting the road this April on the "Music, Magic & Make Peace Tour".

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

97 of 103 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Happy Feelings!, October 24, 2008

By 

Angel L. Burch "angelsatticaz" (Historic Prescott, AZ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things (Audio CD)

Me (48) and my husband (69) were pulling into our driveway when the song "I'm Yours" came on the radio. We stayed in the car, listened to the song and felt happy. I had just been diagnosed with breast cancer and this song let me forget for a few minutes. We knew we had to have the whole album and have loved every song on it! I think I want "I'm Yours" playing as they wheel me into surgery. It puts me in a happy place! Thank You Jason for such a wonderful, eclectic album and introducing us to some new music (we've been stuck in a 1970's and earlier time frame)!

Best to you,
Angel

94 of 104 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Jason Mraz (n.): The Singer/Songwriter of Today's Generation, May 13, 2008

By 

Rudy Palma "The Writing Fiend" (NJ) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things (Audio CD)

From the first track to last Jason Mraz dazzles, perplexes and scintillates on his high-octane 3rd full-length studio album "We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things." His witty, highly individual lyrical style and organic, powerful backing band transform these songs into four minute detours into the mind of the most underrated singer/songwriter of the 2000s.

Lead single "I'm Yours" finally lands on its feet after many years in Mraz's setlists with its mellow, Hawaiian grooves, complete with visions of obligatory surfers and pineapple drinks in the background. It's just a slice of what "We Sing..." has to offer, however. "Lucky" is a sparse, melodic duet with Colbie Callait that transitions aptly out of "I'm Yours," while "Make It Mine" and "Live High" are classic Mraz with feel-good, enrapturing melodies designed to sweep listeners clean off their feet. "Make It Mine" is particularly upbeat, full of hand-claps and lush, horn-laden instrumentation. It should be a single, and if it becomes one it should give Mraz his first major hit since 2003's "The Remedy" if radio programmers have even a neuron left in their heads.

The subject matter is diverse on "We Sing..." but Mraz never suffers from mood swings. "Love For a Child," by far one of the most touching compositions of his career, touches on the effect of divorce on a young child ("When the house was left in shambles/Well, who was there to handle all the broken bits of glass?") while "Only Human" promotes environmental awareness without playing the blame game. "Details In the Fabric" featuring James Morrison is a moody, meditative look at life, love and relationships, while "Coyotes" takes Mraz's sonic pallete in new directions with layered vocals, percolating snyths and an awesome background chorus. His operatic vocals from "Mr. Curiosity" from his last LP make an appearance here.

Other tracks continue the unparalleled quality. "Butterfly" is an awesomely-produced ode to sexual chemistry ("You make my slacks a little tight/You may unfasten them if you like/That's if you crash and spend the night") with effervescent instrumentation and a mercurial, vigorous melody. "If It Kills Me" finds Mraz pining through cheeky, self-deprecating lyrics about the lady who's got everything except the insight to see he's her best match ("We get along much better than you and your boyfriend") while "A Beautiful Mess" bookends the sentiments of "Details In the Fabric" with a more optimistic outlook.

The album's arguable highlight, however, is the curiously-titled "The Dynamo of Volition." Replete from wall-to-wall with Mraz's entrancing singing/rapping style, the song is like "O. Lover" or "Forecast" from 2005's "Mr. A-Z" is that it perfectly captures Mraz's unrivaled melodic weightiness. The lyrics spew left and right in haphazard fashion, but whether or not they are all understood makes no difference. "...Volition" is an exemplary Mraz tune, with a melody powerful enough to hang over the listener, the kind of melody that paints a picture like a scene from an indie movie, that haunts in such a way that it is instantly classic and unforgettable. It says more than any words ever could.

Mraz has that rare kind of talent that puts him in the category of legendary musicians, those musicians with such blazing, inherent talent that it is simply cannot be learned or created. Elton John, Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder come to mind as those types of dynamic musicians that were born with such astounding abilities, and Mraz has what it takes to join their ranks if only more listeners would wizen up and find out what some of us have been lucky to know for over five years.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another excellent Mrazish experience, June 13, 2008

By 

Cece "Not So Usual" (on the brink of sanity) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things (Audio CD)

I have loved Jason Mraz since he began and he has never failed to please. This album is similar to Waiting for My Rocket To Come (in my view) and not quite as peppy as Mr. A-Z. I love his fast, wordy, intelligent songs. (I still have Geek in the Pink as my ringer on my phone). This album seemed a bit slower paced, but I love his voice and his jazzy twang. I never liked scat until I heard Jason do it.

He has a skill with words beyond any artist I have ever heard. Read his journal on his website and you will be amazed. I think he is one of those unassuming but highly intelligent people.

We Sing is an album I could put on while reading or entertaining guests. Not too overpowering, but not total background music either. I need to listen to it a few more times to really get the "feel" for it, but I had to do that with WFMRTC as well, and now I love every track except the last two.

I saw Jason perform at the PF Chang's Rock N Roll Marathon in Tempe, AZ just before he put out Mr A-Z and he performed a few of his new ones (though we didn't know that's what they were yet!) and he was absolutely the most entertaining concert I have ever been to. Anyone who has a chance to go see him live should! He broke into opera at our concert, like he does in one of his tracks on Mr A-Z (Mr. Curiosity, I believe - just in case you didn't think that was him -it is! I saw him do it with my own two eyes!)

I always wait in anticipation for anything new from Jason, and this album did not fail to please. Also, anyone who can get his Live from the Eagles Ballroom DVD and CD set should- it is wonderful. He does a great song called "Not So Usual" which has become my personal theme song.

Everyone, buy this album and support this unique and engaging artist!