I say all this flippantly because... well, because that's kind of how it happened and it makes me look like I did a little research for this here review. But the other reason is because I can't, for the life of me, figure out how all of that stuff could combine to help a person make an album that is noticeably better than his main band's output.
Everything In Transit could be seen as the logical progression of Something Corporate, but it's easily much more than that. Side projects generally have a strike against them from the start, at least in terms of exposure to the masses vs. the hardcore fans who probably knew about it even before the label did. To lump this into just a side project category would do it a considerable disservice. Overall, the songs are much catchier, much more consistent, and almost (well... almost) less laden with youthful lyrical meanderings. It's the love child of Green Day and Ben Folds. It's pop-punk with a polished edge that not only is aware of its given genre, but mature enough to incorporate influences without just copying them.
I don't want to get too minute and surgical with some trying-to-impress musical dissection. I'll leave those reviews to publications staffed by people who have long forgotten that rock music was kind of trying to get away from that in the first place. Because here's the honest truth about how I feel about this record. On the one hand, I try not to listen to the lyrics too much. They still sound like they were penned by some guy hanging out in the mall, trying to be poetic on a napkin from Orange Julius. To him I can only say "Yeah, dude, I hear ya on the girl front. I heard you on track 2. And track 3. And yeah, on the other tracks as well. Buck up." But on the other hand, I love the fact that it's by Jack's Mannequin and not Something Corporate. I might be embarrassed to put the latter on my iPod and show it to friends. My oh-so-trendy friends with Diesel on speed dial.
Article comments
1 - Matt
David--great review. Very well written.
matt freelove
music editor
2 - michaela
andrew mcmahon is a much more talented arttist than you make him out to be, and i dont think you should be writing reviews if thats what youve got to say. stop saying shit about him and soco, cause real fans, with real taste, dont want to hear it. and no one else does either
3 - David R Perry
Michaela,
With all due respect, "real fans" don't need reviews period, as they're already on board to buy the album anyway. If reviews are only supposed to be subjective posturing by fans, there are message boards for that, not review features.
And, uhh... did you completely miss the parts where I said it was a good album?
4 - Tessa
Although I am a huge fan of Andrew and all of his music, it's actually rather refreshing to read a review that critiques EIT without bias (as I admit I am not without myself.)
However, I feel I must disagree with you on the point that the lyrics are like something penned by someone 'trying to be poetic.' I'm a writer myself, and his lyrics are some of the best I've seen yet in the music industry, and most definitely not any old 'attempt' at poetry. Nevermind that he doesn't write poems, he writes songs, which are a different thing altogether.
Lastly, who cares about what your friends think? It's not like they're only friends with you because of your musical preferences (if they are, then there's a problem.)
5 - Jasmine
Its not just a solo album, but its an autobiography of his entire life, not just the breakup with his girlfriend. I disagree with you 100% on not trying to listen to the lyrics, because i think the lyrics are the best part of each track and the music is great too. I think you should give andrew mcmaon more credit, he truly is a GREAT artist in all aspects. I LOVE THIS ALBUM!
6 - Christina
Jack's Mannequin is absolutely the best. The songs are catchy and well-written. They aren't filled with lyrics of slitting wrists and suicidal problems. They're just awesome songs that you can listen to over and over again without ever getting sick of it. I don't know if I've actually been able to play a CD straight through without getting bored, but this one's different. Everything In Transit is definitely the best CD I've ever owned.