CD Review
Jack's Mannequin
The Glass Passenger
By Diana Galban
"For me, The Glass Passenger is a record that really, sort of maybe will help somebody get through a bad day," Andrew McMahon said of his band, Jack’s Mannequin’s second full length album.
And Jack’s Mannequin is known just for that: making people’s days.
After TGP’s early fall release on Sept. 30 — rather than its originally planned summer release date — fans shared mixed reviews OF the sophomore album. Though the album’s themes largely tread on territory already covered by the debut album Everything In Transit – overcoming obstacles and being ready for the day ahead – the structure and lyrical complexity of this new album may have just surprised fans, rather than left them unhappy with the long awaited results.
"Crashin" opens up the record, with the signature jolly piano cords McMahon is known for, even from his Something Corporate days. "Spinning" is filled with references to McMahon’s leukemia struggles, with backup vocals by Stacy Clark, something completely new to the concept of this band, which has never included female vocals on their tracks.
New ideas are not the only element explored in The Glass Passenger, but also new blends within the music.
"Swim" follows, and is hands down, one of the most inspirational tracks on the album. The song talks about never giving up, swimming for your life and the things you love, adding reference to current national issues and touching on the importance of music to overcome difficult situations: "Swim for the music that saves you / When you’re not so sure you’ll survive."
"American Love," "Bloodshot," and "Annie Use Your Telescope" all share the same concept – the question of making decisions within a marriage and sharing the responsibility that comes with it, a new concept never explored by McMahon, who married after the release of Everything.
New ideas are not the only element explored in The Glass Passenger, but also new blends within the music. Not drifting too far away from the classic piano rock we’re all well acquainted with when hearing the name Andrew McMahon, but still developing from the pop-rock sounds established by Jack’s Mannequin.
"Drop Out- The So Unknown" comes the closest to that Everything in Transit style, switching completely in "Caves," which unites all the themes of the record both theoretically and musically. The song starts as a slow ballad accompanied only by piano, then evolves into erratic hammering of keys, picking up at the hook and joined in by the rest of the band.
"Miss California" closes the record, possessing that signature Venice Beach feel JM is known for. Mature would be a ridiculous word to describe The Glass Passenger, but rather snippets of personal diary entries with improvised, passionate music. Jack’s Mannequin continues to be more than just a guilty pleasure, despite their easy-to-love tunes.
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