Customer Reviews

We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Continuing the highly criticized practice of re-releasing hit albums to increase sales, Atlantic Records gives the royal treatment this week to Jason Mraz's runaway LP "We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things.," which remains high on the charts after six months, with a limited edition deluxe version.

The re-release is backed with a second disc collecting the cheekily-titled "We Sing.," "We Dance." and "We Steal Things.," three acoustic EPs he released leading up to the launch of the album containing stripped down versions of many of the tracks. The biggest asset, however, is a DVD of his performance to a sell-out crowd at Manhattan's Highline Ballroom on April 14. Many consider the rehashing of previously released material paired with new, exclusive content pure record company manipulation, and that is a valid point, but the addition of the concert alone will make this 2CD/DVD rechristening interesting for both curious casual listeners as well as the previously initiated.

And there are certainly a slew of those curiously casual with the longevity of the album's lead single "I'm Yours" serving as a barometer of public interest. The song has had an uncanny journey that began circa early 2005, when Mraz began playing the song during live set lists in spite of Atlantic's final word on not including on it on his sophomore set "Mr. A-Z." It garnered a life of its own, becoming known to scores of listeners in countries across the world on account of live recordings as well as the original demo, which found limited release on Mraz's "Extra Credit" EP.

Due to this cult popularity Mraz and Atlantic made the decision to re-record the track to be the lead single from "We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things.," releasing it to radio and retail in time for Valentine's Day. Slowly but surely increasing in further popularity, it finally reached the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 in September, where it remains this week. That is quite a ride for one song to take.

Still, there is more meat to Mraz than "I'm Yours," and that is ably proven by the entirety of "We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things." Second single "Make It Mine," with its engulfing sing-a-long chorus, effervescent vocal performance and infectious feel good vibe is even better song than "I'm Yours," while Mraz also cuts straight to the heart of problems both at home ("Love For a Child") and abroad ("Only Human"). He also utilizes an entrancing singing/rapping style on the haunting "Dynamo of Volition." The breezy "Lucky" features Colbie Callait, while James Morrison stops in to add verses on the brooding "Details in the Fabric."

Mraz's talents only come across more strongly with the inclusion of the lo-fi acoustic disc, which brings out the essence of his songs to let them breathe, and the energetic Highline Ballroom concert proves his growing reputation as a live act to be justified. He is smart to recruit supremely talented musicians in the studio, but he outdoes his contemporaries by bringing them on the road with him as well.

Indeed, "Make It Mine" and "No Stopping Us," a slice of ear candy from his debut album, sizzle with high-octane energy courtesy of Mraz's scintillating trumpeters. Non-album track "1000 Things" invokes a lush, lullaby-like dream state, and "Fall Through Glass," a duet with Mraz's friend Bushwalla, teems with swing and intrigue. Along with Mraz's clowning stage presence and impressive vocal range, these moments creates a thoroughly unique musical experience.

To be sure, re-releases from major labels are always highly polished cash grabs, and this one is no different. However, the quality and quantity of the added material gives this one particular panache. Those who have been eyeing the album have all the more incentive now to check it out.

Okay if you don't already have the original album, BUY this version, the album it's self is already so good. But you also get the awesome second cd....which is utterly fantastic...even better than the actual album...PLUS you get an entire Mraz Concert which shows you how talented and funny he actually is. This is a perfect set 2CDs and a DVD with a 90 min concert WOW. Also be sure to watch the 30 Min. Documentry included on the disc it was completely interesting and made me a laugh quite a few times. Thank you Mr. Mraz.

Jason Mraz has really outdone himself on this latest CD/DVD collection. After seeing him in concert, I can feel like I'm re-living the moments when watching this DVD. He's so unbelievably talented, along with his band members, and his concert DVD shows his sense of humor and style so well. I think he's fast becoming something really BIG! This collection of songs is his BEST!

They don't sell like they used to anymore, but "I'm Yours" made history as the longest standing song in the Billboard Hot 100 since Leann Rimes back in '98, and the song is still on the chart! In reviewing the original album I was horrified with this new unoriginal, sleepy Mraz, that just didn't feel right with the reggae, and studio productions this time around. "I'm Yours" especially irked me since it had such as long stay in radio, and like the rest of the album, it just didn't feel sincere. Enter Director Quintin Tarantino, who recently gave a list of songs he listened to during Inglorious Basterds. One of his favorite songs of the time was "I'm Yours," but not the Hawaiian album version, but the original demo/acoustic version. The feel of the song was intimate, and most importantly, sincere to both the lyrics and the setting. Upon searching for where the track came from, I stumbled across this bonus disc, a compilation of a series of EP's Mraz released to promote the studio album. In my opinion, what was supposed to be a promotion outshines the original in almost every aspect, from musical styling, to lyrics, every single song is made better.

Highlights Include:
I'm Yours
A Beautiful Mess
Details In The Fabric
Dynamo of Volition
Love For A Child

Mraz plays sings every note to sweet perfection, and his guitar playing truly makes the album. And while it's not prominent all the time, the lyrics really take the center stage in songs like "Love For A Child." "Mudhouse/Gypsy MC," which didn't make it to the album harkens back to his "Live At Eagles Ball" album, where he raps through his acoustic strumming. That's the Jason I first fell in love with, and it works amazingly in this live setting.

Granted, not everything is absolutely perfect, "Coyotes," which was awful on the album, is still a bad idea here. And yes, there are a couple tracks that did not make the final studio album, one of these being "Man Gave Names To All The Animals." The song is as stupid as its title, and basically compares people in a club to animals, including one that snorts, one that gives milk, and one that wasn't so small, wasn't too big, so he called it a pig. The innuendos you could think of there... Oh Jason, you're so much better than writing and singing that.

Overall, I wish they'd release this bonus disc as least an alternative to the studio album because it is just SO amazing. Mraz burns it up on almost every track with emotion, love and intimacy. I may still miss his beginning days, but this bonus disc is an excellent direction for Mraz to go in, and it outshines the studio album. Not to mention, there isn't a crappy Colbie Caillat duet here, which is always a plus for me. Buy it, or learn all the songs and sing them to a lover, either way you're getting shorties.

Studio Disc: 1/5 Stars
Bonus/EP Compilation Disc: 5/5 stars
Real Score: 4.5 (The Bonus Disc Is Worth The Price of Admission Alone)

If you already like Jason, with this three disc CD/DVD you will love it!! One of his best works, and with that I'm saying it all.
First, the CD. Second, the CD with the acoustic editions of the songs. Third, the AMAZING DVD with a wonderful concert and the Documentary about his summer in Europe. And Fourth, the hand-writing everywhere.

It is worth your money.

Cheers.

This set comes with three disks: the CD of studio recordings; the CD of live recordings from selected performances; and the DVD of a concert. It is worth the extra cabbage for sure, the concert is fantastic.

If you're a fan, you must have your own copy of this set--splurge for the three-disk set. If you're a new listener, this is the studio album to buy.

Normally, I listen to Mraz's live recordings because they are unique, creative, and alive with the participation of fans. With these songs however, the lyrics are nearly outdone by the instrumentals. The studio versions are perfect blends: making incredibly dance-able tracks. You won't be able to sit still through Butterfly, Make it Mine, or especially The Dynamo of Volition. Even while driving, your shoulders will cascade through these clever beats.

Highly recommended.

This is the BEST CD of 2008 Hands Down...MRAZ delivers. If you thought you loved Jason Mraz before this latest CD tops them all.. a must have!

I enjoyed these CD's very much and would consider the music quirky, and melodic. I am not a young person, but stil enjoyed this modern music from Jason Mraz.

My husband bought this for me several years ago when "I'm Yours" was just becoming popular. It is by far the most often-listened to cd in my entire collection - and I do listen to the whole cd. Sometimes you buy a cd based on one song and just hope you like the others, but "I'm Yours" is probably my least favorite of these incredible songs. "Make It Mine" and "Butterfly" are now ringtones on my phone - never get tired of hearing them:) As a special bonus, the DVD is wonderful. Great performances by Jason and the band - I constantly listen to it in my van through the dvd player and he sounds just as good live as on any of his cds. You will not be disappointed in anything this package offers.

I like the songs of jason Miraz. The songs are so "in" in today's world. Moreover, it can be heard in whatever generation you are in. I enjoy them always. I repeat them over and over and they are not tiring.

Herman