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32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Broadens His Horizons While Maintaining His Unmistakable Identity, July 26, 2005
With his second studio album, the humorously titled "Mr. A-Z," Jason Mraz has delivered a fine collection of tunes that will solidify his popularity with his dedicated fanbase, yet manages to broaden his horizons in terms of song arrangements and subject matter.
The pensive "Life Is Beautiful" is the opening track, where Mraz makes a series of commonsense observations about life that nevertheless challenges listeners to think outside the box. Lead single "Wordplay," however, immediately follows, injecting the disc with a shot of levity.
"It's all about the wordplay/Ah la la la love/The wonderful thing it does because/Because I am the wizard of ooh's and ah's and fa la la's/Yeah the Mr. A-Z/They say I'm all about the Wordplay."
Despite his astute sense of humor, Mraz does not obscure the fact that he is most definitely a singer/songwriter in the classic 70's sense. Fine examples are the "Plane", an extremely intense selection where he proclaims from high above the ground that, should he come crashing down that he will "remember where the love was found," while in "Bella Luna" he softly croons of the mysterious allure of the moon, creating a relaxing, romantic atmosphere with his witty observations.
"Please Don't Tell Her," which reflects the conflicting emotions of looking back on someone fondly despite the intense pain they brought your life, finds him repeating at the song's end "I don't" in response to the idea that he might still care about an ex-flame, although the listener is clearly meant to question his confidence in that declaration. Other tracks, such as the completely enrapturing fare of "Forecast" and "O. Lover," which will grip listeners tightly with its frantic vocal performance, explore similar themes.
Mraz also explores the art of self-loathing in "Mr. Curiosity," pokes fun at the communication barrier between men and women with the assistance of Rachel Yamagata in "Did You Get My Message," and proudly owns who he is with no apologies in the radio-bound "Geek In the Pink," affirming "you might regret what you let slip away like the geek in the pink."
Furthermore, "Clockwatching" is an inspiring track about coming of age with the one you love at your side, as well as learning what it is to live in the present, rather than anticipation of what has yet to come, while the spine-tingling "Song For a Friend," doubtless inspired by his father, closes the album with his most impassioned performance and an uplifting message.
"All the thing's that I've read, what he wrote me/Is now sounding like the man I was hoping to be/I keep on keeping it real/Cause it keeps getting easier indeed/He's the reason that I'm laughing/Even if there's no one else/He said, `you've got to love yourself'."
Although it is much different than his debut in many ways, "Mr. A-Z" does not at all suffer. Rather, the album indicates that Mraz has undergone major growth as both a songwriter and song stylist, and that his talent is far reaching and will continue to entertain and astound for the duration of what is sure to be a long, rewarding career.
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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sit down, Relax and enjoy some Classic Mraz!, August 4, 2005
Master wordsmith Jason Mraz is back at the mic, lips dancing as fast as ever with his new self-titled album, Mr. A-Z. It is, well, all about the wordplay. No if's, but's or fa la la's about it, the album provides a full daily dose of introspective humor. As with "Wordplay" and "The Geek in the Pink", his lyrics are like lucid dreamers: aware of themselves. His stream-of-consciousness lyrical babble is as energizing as his soulful resonance in this album is heart-wrenching.
Although his new single has gotten a lot of radio time lately, by far the best number is "Life is Wonderful". Mraz side-steps his lyrical rap for this passionate pure-hearted piece about the ironies of life. "It takes no time to fall in love... but it takes years to know what love is...". His sound is somewhat folksy in this piece sounding almost like Sting in certain phrases. The mixing could have been a tad tighter but the background music really brings out the lyrics. This song will resonate in your soul.
"Wordplay" is Mraz at his prime self with a steam train of consciousness lyrical rap. The song is word play, teasing with the song and poking fun at his sophomore effort. His voice recalls Queen. It's highly catchy and up beat and one of my favorites. "Geek in the Pink" comes off as an amusing naughty parody of a club music sub-set. Listen, and you'll know what I mean. "Did You Get My Message" is a frantic swing/blues influenced piece with artful repetition of `did you get my message' (apparently a neurosis brought on by a previous girlfriend). Mr. Curiosity is example of another prime cut of Mraz. You'll enjoy a creative nod to opera as Jason pulls out an amazing falsetto. Buy the album so that Jason can buy some looser jeans, okay? Wow!
The next piece, "Clockwatching", wasn't my favorite but was a playfully inventive recipe with a dash of Madonna's "Don't Tell Me" with a smidgen of Dukes of Hazzard banjo. However, "Bella Luna" left me aching to dance with it's Latin rhythym and Jason's sensually wistful Michael Bublé/Sade/Sting-like croon. "Plane" was a depressing follow-up with dark poetic lyrics. His lonely howl is heart-wrenching. "O. Lover" follows suit with a melancholy feel despite Mraz's vocal smatterings on a potpourri of African rhythyms; it didn't make it on my playlist. With "Please Don't Tell Her" we are back with classic Mraz and his sensual playful mood. "The Forecast" returns with an 80's pop rock sound that reminds me of Breathe. It is rather upbeat, but my forcast for that particular track is troubled skies; it is the most musically weak song of the album.
The limited edition special packaging is no less creative than the album, with a pocket containing the CD booklet, sketches by Jason and a Mraztastic notebook full of journal entries and artsy polaroid images. Don't expect a real polaroid of the amazingly talented and soulful-eyed Jason to post on your wall (although that would have been a nice touch).
The album finishes with the sweet "Song for a Friend" with a postlude performed by a local high school chorus; it delivers an important message about being unafraid of individuality and being oneself. How appropriate coming from Jason Mraz, a singer uniquely and unabashedly himself. Jason Mraz has a sound and talent like no other and delivers Mr. A-Z with creative heart and soul.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not the dribble some seem to think it is, August 8, 2005
I've read a lot of reviews about this album, and I'm finding a lot of them say that this album isn't any good. Well, I think they're all wrong.
I bought the album before reading any reviews because I had heard his new single, and I really like his singing.
At first, I found myself thinking what a lot of the reviewers said, that Wordplay is fun and The Geek in the Pink is good, but the rest is just boring and not what we're used to.
As I listened to it more, however, I found myself liking Did You Get My Message and Mr. Curiosity. He's got such an amazing voice and this album really showcases it.
He doesn't need to sing every song the same. That is what would be boring. He shows another side of his personality with this album if you take the time to listen and really enjoy it.
I find myself enjoying another song every time I listen to it.
I recommend buying this album, ignoring all those people that say it stinks, and really really listen to it, over and over. You'll see what I'm talking about.
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