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album review
Andrew McMahon made his exit from Something Corporate in 2004 and launched Jack's Mannequin the following year, funneling his taste for sun-kissed power pop and piano-fueled ballads into Everything in Transit. The album was a strong, cohesive effort from a songwriter who previously sailed beneath many critics' radars, but McMahon's success provided little relief from his plummeting health. He was diagnosed with leukemia two months before the album's release, and a series of chemotherapy treatments prevented him from supporting Everything in Transit with a proper tour.
Three years later, McMahon (now cancer-free) returns with his much-anticipated second album. Like Something Corporate's own sophomore effort, The Glass Passenger captures McMahon during a darker period -- understandably so, given his recent history -- and the introspective tone sometimes pales in comparison to the summery songs that graced Everything in Transit and Something Corporate's debut, Leaving Through the Back Window. There's pain here -- morphine drips, decreased sex drives, and the like -- and McMahon tackles those difficult subjects bluntly and tactfully. "What Gets You Off" deals with the recovery of his libido, even if the song sounds somewhat flaccid until the chorus' arrival, while "Hammers and Strings (A Lullaby)" is a vintage, waltzing ballad that serves as a pledge to McMahon's returning fans. "To the sleepless, this is my reply," he sings, "I will write you a lullaby." From the woozy, theatrical elegance of "Caves" to the orchestrated "Annie Use Your Telescope," ballads account for a big portion of The Glass Passenger, yet some of the album's best moments still occur during the faster songs. "Spinning" is a surging pop/rock gem, simple enough to become the most instantly recognizable song on the disc, while "American Love" and "Bloodshot" are flecked with buzzing synths and other New Wave flourishes. The Glass Passenger might not bare the same pop hooks as Everything in Transit, but it does stay afloat under the weight of McMahon's past, which bodes well for the songwriter's future work. ~ Andrew Leahey, All Music Guide
Three years later, McMahon (now cancer-free) returns with his much-anticipated second album. Like Something Corporate's own sophomore effort, The Glass Passenger captures McMahon during a darker period -- understandably so, given his recent history -- and the introspective tone sometimes pales in comparison to the summery songs that graced Everything in Transit and Something Corporate's debut, Leaving Through the Back Window. There's pain here -- morphine drips, decreased sex drives, and the like -- and McMahon tackles those difficult subjects bluntly and tactfully. "What Gets You Off" deals with the recovery of his libido, even if the song sounds somewhat flaccid until the chorus' arrival, while "Hammers and Strings (A Lullaby)" is a vintage, waltzing ballad that serves as a pledge to McMahon's returning fans. "To the sleepless, this is my reply," he sings, "I will write you a lullaby." From the woozy, theatrical elegance of "Caves" to the orchestrated "Annie Use Your Telescope," ballads account for a big portion of The Glass Passenger, yet some of the album's best moments still occur during the faster songs. "Spinning" is a surging pop/rock gem, simple enough to become the most instantly recognizable song on the disc, while "American Love" and "Bloodshot" are flecked with buzzing synths and other New Wave flourishes. The Glass Passenger might not bare the same pop hooks as Everything in Transit, but it does stay afloat under the weight of McMahon's past, which bodes well for the songwriter's future work. ~ Andrew Leahey, All Music Guide
more albums by this artist
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- Everything In Transit (Parental Advisory)
- Released 2005
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- Everything In Transit (Edited)
- Released 2005
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- The Resolution (Single)
- Released 2008
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- The Lights And Buzz (Single)
- Released 2005
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listener reviews
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A Long Road
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- By stinkykuch
- 1/22/2009 23:26:55
- I have been listening and watching Andrew since Something Corporate; I watched his interviews with his doctors about his cancer, and watched him slip on drunk girl and sing the wrong lyrics during his video for Ventura. (which you must see, he plays it off very well) To watch him as he came from Audio Boxer in 01' with long hair and jumping on his piano; to this album he has now, I see that it has been a very long journey for him. He is a inspiration without effort. He doesn't want recognition for his battles he has won with cancer and he doesn't forget his past, (with his tribute to something corporate that he played on this new album, "hammer and strings" is the name of the song) i watched a concert here in California that he played a few weeks ago and it was beautiful. I would recommend buying this album in a second, but to truely get the fill of this old punk rock artist you need to go all the way back to his days with Something Corporate. You will not be disappointed. Enjoy everyone, he is a dying bread of artists.
- 1 out of 1 people
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Refreshing
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- By Nellipalooza
- 10/16/2008 04:41:47
- Authentic, with only a sprinkle of pop ingredients for flavor. Well crafted song writing with solid musicianship but still approachable… not music for musicians, but not too pop-music like so many albums that like Zebra stripe gum are great for a week but quickly turn tasteless and hard to chew. Excellent album ready for repeated listens which keeps revealing something new each time.
- 1 out of 2 people
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wow.. who is he????
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- By A Bogere
- 10/7/2008 14:24:44
- Its just one of those albums i get curious about with my Zune pass I dont know the artist then i end up loving..im going to purchase this album.. hes bring a punkish style to the album.. songs have nice flow to them..ive listened to this album the second time since yesterday afternoon..its worth it...
- 2 out of 3 people
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top listeners
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