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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
I'll Send This Message Through the Speakers, August 23, 2005
Earlier this year, Ben Fold's released a relatively serious album in Songs for Silverman thus leaving the smart-alec pop genre without a leader. First out the cannon to try to grab the crown is Jack's Mannequin. The band is the brainchild of Something Corporate's keyboard player, Andrew McMahon. Tommy Lee makes appearance on the album paying back McMahon who contributed to Lee's recently released Tommyland: The Ride.
Musically, Jack's Mannequin's debut album, Everything in Transit, sounds like a combination of early Weezer without the loud guitars mixed with The Beach Boys without the harmonies. The album starts off with Holiday From Real, a bouncy song that could fit on any Ben Folds Five album and anthem for any slacker, "But if you left it up to me, everyday would be a holiday from real." The next song is a topic very close to my heart, The Mixed Tape. Unlike McMahon, I can't write and perform my feelings, but like him, with a mix tape, "It's like I wrote every note with my own fingers."
To keep with the nerd rock theme, he pulls a talking interlude during I'm Ready just like Nada Surf did in Popular. And I'm Ready brings up interesting social issues too, "I put on the same clothes I wore yesterday. When did society decide that we had to change and wash a tee shirt after every individual use: If it's not dirty, I'm gonna wear it." Preach on brother McMahon, I've been wondering that for years. At the end of the rant he says, "My life has become a boring pop song and everyone's singing along." There he is wrong, as he is making some the best pop music in a while ands we should all sing along. The best song to sing along to on the album La La Lie, which talks a fun approach to the musical scale that seem to frequent pop songs. Even when MFEO parts 1 & 2 run for eight minutes, the song never seem to drag on at any point.
One misstep is Dark Blue where the chorus doesn't come together for me. I can't get into this song just yet. The slowed down Rescued doesn't quite fit on the album either. It's not necessarily a bad song, but it sticks out from the other bouncy songs on the album.
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
He's done it again, March 23, 2006
Andrew McMahon, the brains behind Something Corporate, has set a new height for following piano rock competitors.
Starting off the album with a nice sing along song, Holiday from Real, that combines curse words at just the right intervals, something I adore because it isn't often that you can hear a song where the cussing doesn't make the song sounds dirty or raunchy. Just a nice song that appeals to the dreamlike quality of a nice holiday on the beach.
The Mixed Tape, the album's first single, isn't my first choice. It sounds too much like Something Corporate, though slightly more dancey. Interesting lyrics that show thought behind them, rather than a nonsense song that no one can relate to. Mixed tapes are making a big comeback in society and I agree with Andrew when he says, "I look at a mixed tape as kind of like the most romantic gesture in the world."
Bruised would have to be one of my favorites, which tells a perfect story of a boy unable to leave someone behind. I enjoy the whole CD which in it's entirety tells a beautiful story I couldn't have said better myself. Adding in metaphorical but easy to understand plotlines, one of Andrew's better pieces. It really has a great beat to it.
I'm Ready is another one of my favorites, though I suppose I'll be saying that throughout this review, considering my biased love of the tunes. A nice song for anyone who's had their heart broken recently as a sort of "get out of bed and do something good for yourself" kind of theme. The speaking at the beginning and end of the song are amazing and couldn't give a better picture into Andrew's life. "My life has become a boring pop song and everyone is singing along." A wonderful line.
La La Lie, an incredible song with upbeat sounds and downbeat lyrics. A sad, soft tune that you can't help but hum along to. I find myself scribbling the lyrics all over my papers at school because it just rolls of the tongue so easily. "The space man that can't get high" makes me think of The Astronaut by Something Corporate and makes the album hit really close to home.
Dark Blue, in my opinion, would have been a better first single for the band to release though many disagree with me. It combines gorgeous piano melodies with appealing and relatable lyrics. The song comes together perfectly at the end when the verse "we were boxing the stars" flows perfectly and I can't help but close my eyes and soak the song in, understanding perfectly what Andrew was thinking when he wrote the song. My favorite I think.
Miss Delaney is a good tune too, with adorable lyrics like "she's the vinyl queen from my surfer dream" and "she's so good but she's no good for me." A nice tune about a girl tempted to cheat as far as I can tell. Still a nice song and easy to dance to.
Kill the Messenger was the second song of Jack's Mannequin I ever listened to, long before the album was released. It's definitely a different side of Andrew, much different from anything Something Corporate ever released. It makes Andrew almost seem god-like, from the lyrics "I'm gonna send a little rain your way." I think it's an interesting comparison to the fan-base that has become increasingly dependent upon him. He has become almost a god-like person.
Rescued is another beautiful song, quiet and calming, a great song to listen to when you're going to sleep. Amazing lyrics which add to the effect of the piano playing. Not really a song that can be described until you listen to it.
MFEO part one and two. An amazing combination of contradicting tones. Starting off with an over-the top orchestra assembly and a tune that strikes me as something that I can't understand, other than a 50's but modern sounding song. Several drug references in the song, as throughout the album, but used in a poetic sense much like the cursing that leaves you with an overall feeling of joy. Ending the song and then going directly into a quiet piano solo of merely a few notes that leaves the listener at a loss of words. The lyrics of you can breathe are amazing in every sense of the word. Indescribable until you can listen to it and hear the song dripping of piano. I love the way Andrew adds in "where are you now?" tying the song back to the Mixed Tape and letting the whole album run together.
Into the Airwaves was a perfect finishing song, with the lyrics "so hang on/ it's going to be a hard day/ don't panic/ there simply is no need," you leave the album feeling refreshed and clean, like taking a shower after a day of working in the mud. It perfectly describes the feeling of everything you come out of the album thinking of.
Overall my favorite album of all times. Wonderfully written, ordered, played and everything else that goes into it.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wow., December 29, 2006
I was not a fan of Something Corporate or Jack's Mannequin when I heard "Everything In Transit," but after hearing the album, I need to get my hands on everything that Andrew McMahon has ever done. This album is the first one in a long time that has made me dance, think, sing, and cry all at one time. It is truly powerful music, especially considering Andrew's story and his struggles with his health. This is a definite must-own for anyone.
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