Sep 30
adminmusic andrew mcmahon, cancer, glass passenger, jack's mannequin, something corporate
::UPDATE::
As per your requests, I have added a section including my favorite tracks. I am also proving a link to all of the Jack’s Mannequin lyrics. You can read and post your opinions for all of his songs at songmeanings.net
::
I’ve been a huge fan of Jack’s Mannequin for a few years now. ”Everything in Transit” the band’s first album was amazing. Their mix of piano and electric guitar struck perfect chords in many of the bands songs on the first album. Needless to say when I heard that Andrew McMahon was coming back to do a second album, I began jumping with glee.
Jack’s Mannequins second album “The Glass Passenger” was released today September 30th, 2008. In anticipation of this album, Andrew and Co. released two EP’s including The Glass Overview and In Valleys. You can read my respective reviews of the Ep’s here and here.
So far, The Glass Passenger is a great album. It’s still a little early to give it the lead on Everything in Transit, but from what I’ve heard I’ve really enjoyed. In listening to this album, you can actually hear the differences of what is going on after Andrew’s bout with cancer. The focus has shifted in the music from many of the negative and lonely connotations implied in the band’s first attempts. Don’t get me wrong, many of the elements are similar, but there definitely is a shift.
Currently, the lowest professional review of the album is an 88%, which is fantastic. I hope that this album begins bringing Jack’s Mannequin the same type of success Andrew enjoyed as the frontman of Something Corporate.
As I listen to the album more, I will let you guys know my favorite songs. Right now, I’m listening to The Resolution the most. you can listen to it on my myspace page here.
I’d Give the album a 4/5 stars.
I have included a list of the tracks in order (From wikipedia)
- “Crashin” – 4:10 (featuring Stacy Clark)[21]
- “Spinning” – 2:53 (featuring Stacy Clark)
- “Swim” – 4:16
- “American Love” – 3:43
- “What Gets You Off” – 5:06
- “Suicide Blonde” – 3:28
- “Annie Use Your Telescope” – 3:12
- “Bloodshot” – 3:57
- “Drop Out / The So Unknown” – 3:33
- “Hammer and Strings (A Lullaby)” – 4:44
- “The Resolution” – 3:06
- “Orphans” – 2:38
- “Caves” – 7:28
B-sides
- “Miss California” – 3:55 (bonus track)
- “Holiday from Real (Live from SIR)” – 3:48
- “Kill the Messenger (Live from Rock Xentral)” -3:31
- “Cell Phone” – 3:58
- “Sleazy Wednesday” – 4:32
- “At Full Speed” – 3:44 (bonus track on limited edition CD/DVD.)
- “Doris Day” (bonus track on Japanese pressing of the album)
You can learn more about Jack’s Mannequin
here.
Sep 12
adminmusic andrew mcmahon, in valleys, jack's mannequin
Jack’s Mannequin released ANOTHER EP on itunes in anticipation of The Glass Passenger LP called In Valleys. I am totally excited about the new album and wasn’t expecting this second EP at all. Honestly though, I was kind of disappointed. The main track is titled Swim and is very good, but the rest of the tracks aren’t nearly as promising. Yes, the other 3 tracks are B-sides, but I was kind of upset with the quality. Cell phone (the second track on the album) shows some promise, but seems like a rough cut.
Hopefully, Jack’s next album is more like the first two songs from the respective EP’s. Both Resolution and Swim are spectacular tracks. If Andrew can keep the quality of the rest of the album similar to these two, the album shows a lot of promise.
Although the quality suffered a little bit with this release, I am still very glad that the band decided to release two different EP’s while we wait for the final product to be completed.
::update::
track listings
- “Swim” – 4:16
- “Cell Phone” – 3:59
- “In Slow Motion (Sleazy Wednesday)” – 4:33
- “At Full Speed” – 3:44
apparently Jack’s Mannequin are also offering ”Annie Use Your Telescope” for free on their myspace.
Sep 02
adminmusic coldplay, counting crows, jack's mannequin, love, matchbox 20, music, Relationships, top 5
This has been a tumultuous week for me personally. I’m making a lot of changes in my life regarding the way I am handling certain relationships with women. As a byproduct of this ‘change’ I have been listening to a lot of music that represents how I’ve been feeling.
“What came first, the music or the misery? People worry about kids playing with guns, or watching violent videos, that some sort of culture of violence will take them over. Nobody worries about kids listening to thousands, literally thousands of songs about heartbreak, rejection, pain, misery and loss. Did I listen to pop music because I was miserable? Or was I miserable because I listened to pop music?” – Rob ( John Cusack ) – High Fidelity
1. Jack’s Mannequin – Bruised
I’ve been on a huge Jack’s Mannequin kick lately, So I could easily replace this song with Mixed Tape. But for now, we’ll leave it be. Ironically, even though I’m feeling down, this song always brings me up.
Lyrics
Best part :
“I lace my Chucks, I walk the aisle,
I take my pills
The babies cry…
All I hear is what’s playing through the in-flight radio
Now every word of every song
I ever heard that made me want to stay
Is what’s playing through the in-flight radio.
And I, I am finally waking up
Hours pass and she still counts the minutes
That I am not there
I swear I didn’t mean for it to feel like this
Like every inch of me is bruised (bruised)” – Jack’s Mannequin
2. Flickerstick – Got a Feeling
This is one of those songs that I’ve been listening to for years. The band is from Dallas, Tx. and they reach medium popularity nationally. They have a few other great songs including Coke, and Beautiful. But this song has always been my favorite.
Lyrics
Best part:
“I got a feeling, it’s a feeling
That you’ll never understand
It’s like a rush to my heart
That I hope never ends
But it all depends
It’s a power such a power
A sensation that is changing how I feel about you
It’s all brand new
The fight is far from over
There’s nothing left to prove ” – Flickerstick – Got a Feeling
3. Matchbox 20 – Long Day
This is probably the most popular song on my list, but how can you have a list of songs without including Matchbox 20? This album came out over a decade ago, but I still find myself popping it in whenever I’m feeling blue. Some other great songs include How far we’ve come, and Push.
Lyrics
Best part :
“Reach down your hand in your pocket
Pull out some hope for me
It’s been a long day, always ain’t that right
And no Lord your hand won’t stop it
Just keep you trembling
It’s been a long day, always ain’t that right” – Matchbox 20
4. Counting Crows – American Girls
There are a ton of great songs about relationships by the Counting Crows. They are one of my favorite bands and it’s hard to pick which song to put on this list. Seeing as these should be ‘less popular’ songs, I left off the likes of Mr. Jones, Omaha, Long December, and every other great Counting Crows song that could be on here. Just go Buy their Greatest Hits album and you’ll be fine.
Lyrics
Best part:
“If I made you cry, please tell me why
I’ll try again if you let me try
American girls are feathers and cream
Coming to bed so edible
American girls, oh
American girls” – Counting Crows
5. Coldplay – Fix you
Like Counting Crows and Matchbox, Coldplay has an insanely large pool of songs to pick from… maybe even harder than CC. I could have easily picked The scientist, or Warning Sign, or any number of other great songs. If you haven’t heard this song, take a break and go watch the video on youtube right now. Both the video, song, and lyrics are absolutely amazing.
Lyrics
Best part:
“And the tears come streaming down your face
When you lose something you can’t replace
When you love someone but it goes to waste
Could it be worse?
Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you” – Coldplay
What’s your point of view? What songs have influenced you in love and relationships.
Aug 11
adminmusic cancer, jack's mannequin, music
I’ve been a fan of Jack’s Mannequin for quite a while. I’ve also been waiting for his new album to come out for a very very long time. Well, Andrew Mcmahon (also from Something Corporate) has finally released his EP The Glass Passenger. Let me start out by saying that the first track ‘Resolution’ is absolutely incredible. It is one of those feel good songs that you want to put on repeat. I downloaded the EP yesterday on itunes and have probably listened to the song at least 15 times already! The song references a much more positive feeling than much of the songs from the bands last attempt. I cant help but notice some correlation between his uplifting tone and his recent recovery from a bout with cancer.
I highly recommend this song and the EP. I cant wait for the actual LP to be released!
Jack’s Mannequin Wiki
