Jeannette Madden’s Music Blog

Jeannette Madden’s Music Blog

Today I’ve got an old friend of the Reader’s to tell you about, Jack’s Mannequin. We featured Jack’s about seven months ago when Fargo was a stop on their tour in support of their soon to be released third album (read that story here: http://bit.ly/wkq3dW ). The new album, People and Things, came out on Warner Bros October 4th and debuted at number one on Billboard’s Alternative Albums Chart. I LOVE this record. While I’m not normally a fan of 80’s sounding music, this album is filled with all that was good back then including melodic background vocals, lots of keyboards and I can’t be sure but there might even have been a saxophone in there somewhere. When I listen to this album I can’t get the vision of red spandex and big hair out of my brain.

The buzz on People and Things is that it is founder Andrew McMahon’s most complete and well put together album yet. I agree. I think the last album I liked this much song after song was Cold War Kids, Mine is Yours. Maybe I have a thing about three word record titles or maybe I just like good music. Whatever it is, both albums have great flow.

McMahon began Jack’s Mannequin as a side project of Something Corporate with the release of Everything in Transit in August, 2005. Just before Transit came out, McMahon was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). After McMahon’s recovery, The Glass Passenge was released in 2008 and now, McMahon explains People and Things like this: “The reality is that getting sick turned Jack’s into this long story that was really only meant to be one record, but somehow became three,” he explains. “I think, if nothing else, People and Things is about the journey, and knowing where I belong and trying to get myself okay with putting my feet down and being there.”

While I like all of the songs on People and Things, my current favorite is the first radio single Release Me followed closely by Hostage. Again, lots of keyboards and really good vocals. While I’ve always found McMahon to be a master lyricist I especially enjoyed what he had to say on People and Things. He talks about it being a “stark” album and says “Maybe I talk about it from an angle that to some extent is artful, but I think the language on the record is sort of stark, just like the title is.” Perhaps he’s right but I believe that having so much of the piano accompaniment makes the songs on People and Things feel full and lush.

Jack’s Mannequin is playing Minneapolis’s First Avenue Saturday night, January 21. I’m excited to see the show and how the new material plays live. I’ll let you know when I post next week’s blog!

I checked out Farewell Milwaukee and Romantica Friday night. Wow, what an awesome show. Some bands need to be seen live to be appreciated because of their ensemble cast, if nothing else. Both of these are that type of band. Seeing the interaction between band mates adds so much to their music, which is already fabulous. I’m hoping either or both bands make it to Fargo in 2012 and you can experience for yourself what I was so lucky to write about.

Finally, I’m hoping to get a review of The Twin Cities Hip Hop Awards this Friday night at First Avenue in Minneapolis. Keep your fingers crossed! And as always, hit me up on Twitter @HPRJeannette or via email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) with questions, comments or concerns. Be safe out there.

WHAT: Jack’s Mannequin with Jukebox The Ghost and Allen Stone
WHEN: January 21, 2012 6:00 p.m.
WHERE: Historic First Avenue, downtown Minneapolis
INFO: 18+ $25.50 Click here to purchase: http://bit.ly/vCyc4x

MORE INFO: First Avenue/7th Street Entry, 701 First Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55403
612-332-1775