Whereas, Jack's Mannequin...that's a fresh start that carries considerably less baggage. It's stylistically close enough that it could have passed for the main band's next effort (and I'm not privy to all the details on why it's not). But you shouldn't care, because the point is that these are surprisingly well-crafted songs. Almost every song is good. Damn good. They're catchy, but in a good way (not the Hilary Duff way, because... well, because that would be bad). It's a fresh start for Andrew to get over his girlfriend. And it's a fresh chance for you to listen to music that is safely more fun than the job for which it should be the commute soundtrack.
(Just as an update, I checked Something Corporate's website and saw that Andrew is being treated for a strain of leukemia. The news appears to be a few months old, but we wish Andrew the best for a speedy recovery.)
ed: JH
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.