Jack’s Mannequin Bares All In New Album
“Glass Passenger” musician to perform in St. Pete
Published: Wednesday, October 15, 2008
“The Glass Passenger,” the latest release from Jack’s Mannequin, chronicles the battles and struggles singer/songwriter Andrew McMahon experienced in his successful battle against acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
The album is something extremely rare and special in its entirety.
McMahon reveals his lyrical genius once again in making “The Glass Passenger” a musical memoir confessing the struggles we hope to never have to face.
“Beat my body like a rag doll; you stuck the needles in my hip. Said ‘we’re not gonna lie son, you just might die. Get you on that morphine drip, drip.”
Lyrics such as these, although not as metaphorical as most on “The Glass Passenger,” are just a glimpse at what life on the wrong end of a diagnosis can entail.
One of the most entertaining attributes “The Glass Passenger” offers is the privilege to tap into such a personal and emotional issue of McMahon’s life.
This leads to not only musical satisfaction but a complete and utter appreciation for your life, truly showing how volatile it can become at any moment.
At first, I tried to compare “The Glass Passenger” with Jack’s Mannequin’s first and highly successful release, “Everything in Transit.” After much criticism, skepticism and such on both releases, I’ve realized that to compare these two albums falls short on all means of comparison.
They are indeed as night and day as they come.
Sure, piano rock is the common theme throughout, but there is much more here, I assure you.
Jack’s Mannequin’s first release had the upbeat California rock associated with McMahon while “The Glass Passenger” progresses to a more mature and meaningful sound also synonymous with McMahon.
“Everything in Transit” offered more of a CD full of singles, while “The Glass Passenger” gives you the overall experience of a complete album.
The maturity and progression from the first album to the second makes a musical statement many bands are afraid to make today.
Songs like, “Spinning” is sure to win listeners’ hearts over with its contagious chorus.
While slower and more melodic songs like, “Annie Use Your Telescope” will connect with fans on a completely different level.
The first single off the album, “The Resolution” is gaining radio play and positive feedback daily.
The song moves along while McMahon preaches, “Yeah I’m alive, I don’t need a witness to know that I survived, I’m not looking for forgiveness” making anyone who listens surely smile instantly.
Jack’s Mannequin proves that quality over quantity really does matter as “The Glass Passenger,” their second release, showcases their musical abilities with such precision and detail that it is surely influential on all bands out there today.
Overall, I’d give it a 4 out of 5.
Make sure to catch Jack’s Mannequin at the state theater this Sunday, Oct. 19 at 7 p.m.
Supporting acts include Treaty of Paris and Eric Hutchinson.
Local alternative rock station 97x will be there promoting the show all night, so come by and check it out!
For more information on upcoming shows visit www.jacksmannequin.com.
To listen to tracks from “The Glass Passenger” visit www.myspace.com/jacksmannequin.
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