Jack's Mannequin

Person Score

 
9.8 Superb
17 votes

Your Score

Rate now!

Biography

Recent Role:
Selves on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
Gender:
Male
Birthplace:
Orange County, California
He's the ethereal voice, songwriting powerhouse and full-contact keyboardist behind Something Corporate, the piano-rock quintet praised by one critic for its "combination of intelligent lyrics, infectious melodies, and killer piano." Now Andrew McMahon is taking something of a spring break from the band with which he's practically lived for the last four years in order to offer up an angst-flavored side project. In the guise of Jack's Mannequin comes Everything In Transit, a highly personal theme album by McMahon and collaborators, from Maverick Records.

… More It's clear that, like his longtime band, McMahon's latest venture defies an easy pigeonhole. "I recorded and toured with Something Corporate right out of high school. We did three records in three years and I've hardly been home," he says. The result was the breakup of a three-year relationship and a floodtide of "dozens of songs in a matter of months," McMahon channeling a slurry of emotions into songs set amidst the iconic landscape and vibe of Southern California. "I just wanted to get things off my chest. I wasn't planning to do anything with these songs except record them," says McMahon, who changed his mind after hearing them take shape collectively. McMahon actually paid for the production out of his own pocket leading up to his record deal, which was inked after 75 percent of the album was recorded.

With Something Corporate on break, McMahon looked to bring the best of his songs together into a concept album exploring his alienating return to the hometown he left to pursue his music, and the dissolution of a long, meaningful relationship because of it. He brought his signature piano and distinctive tenor to the project, with vocals, bass, and guitar offered by friend, collaborator, and Something Corporate producer Jim Wirt. McMahon and Wirt produced the album, which also features Bobby (Raw) Anderson on guitar, and Patrick Warren (Fiona Apple, Macy Gray, Jon Brion) with organ, strings and arrangements. Mötley Crüe's Tommy Lee supplied live drums to complement samples by C.J. Eiriksson, who also served as the album's engineer.

Inspired by such theme albums as the Beach Boys' Pet Sounds, Everything In Transit weaves an autobiographical tale reflected in the storybook written into its liner notes. It begins with the laid-back, bohemian California mood of "Holiday From Real," with McMahon coming home and feeling like a visitor in his own world.

"The Mixed Tape" offers bursts of punk-flavored riffs along with lyrics such as "I read your letter, the one you left when you broke into my house... where are you now?", segueing into the wistful "Lonely For Her." The album's emotional duality is shown in the hopeful and upbeat "I'm Ready," followed by the sullen "Kill the Messenger."

McMahon's tribute to the Beach Boys is best heard on the sad-yet-sunny "Miss Delaney," an electronica-flavored pop nugget with a synthesized Theremin reminiscent of "Good Vibrations." The disco flagellation of "Bruised" tumbles "Into The Airwaves," McMahon's otherworldly tenor drawing a fatalistic analogy: "I am slipping through, I am slipping into the airwaves / You are slipping through my fingers and into the airwaves." Everything In Transit eases into acceptance with its final triptych of songs: the ballad "Rescued," McMahon's examination of his place in the world in "Made for Each Other," and its denouement "You Can Breathe."

McMahon has breathed the distinct smell of success since the 2001 debut of Audioboxer by the alternative-rock band he co-founded out of high school. Subsequent albums (Leaving Through The Window and North) proved the band's growth potential as well as the appeal of McMahon, whom MTV called "the good-looking, shaggy-haired, thick-framed-glasses-wearing frontman." Something Corporate was nominated for Band Of The Year at the 2004 College Music Awards.

And what does McMahon hope to accomplish with Jack's Mannequin and Everything In Transit? A chance to vocalize a difficult period in his life, and to broaden his musical landscape. He also looks to bring fresh energy back to Something Corporate and to draw greater attention to the band. Given the musical density of this side project and his rise as a talented and iconoclastic performer, there's no doubt Andrew McMahon will be a magnet for audience attention no matter the musical platform.

Written by Record Label

From the Forums

There are no current discussion topics for Jack's Mannequin.

Fans' Reviews

More Reviews▸
  •  
    10 Perfect
    andrew mcmahon/jacks mannequin is my favorite band ever!!! hide show

    jacks mannequin is the best band ever! im seriously obsessed with them. my favorite songs are la la lie, dark blue, and holiday from real,bruised, oh and the lights and buzz. they are so good but my all time favorite is la la lie. im trying so hard to get tickets to their concert im so excited! ive liked jacks mannequin ever since i heard them on one tree hill like three years ago. i think its so sad that he had cancer, but its amazing he survived. jacks mannequins new cd comes out in april and ive never been so excited for anything!

    Do you agree?
     
    Report Abuse
    rachybachy Added Mar 9, 2008 All my reviews
  •  
    10 Perfect
    This band makes such beautiful music. hide show

    Im not usually into slow music and really calm music like this, but this band just sucked me right into it. I love their song "Dark blue". Its so real and sweet. Andrew McMahon has such amazing vocals and he is a really fantastic Piano player. I havent bought their CD yet, but i cant wait to. I liked Andrew McMahons old band "Something Corporate". So i will prolly love this new CD, "Everything In Transit". Their first video with this band "The Mixed Tape" was really great too. I hope i can see them live some time. Im thinking it would be a very amazing show.

    Do you agree?
     
    Report Abuse
    MadSceneDisease Added Dec 10, 2006 All my reviews
  •  
    10 Perfect
    A band that reaches strings deep inside your heart. Andrew McMahon writes the most amazing lyrics and has a stellar vocal with the most fantastic piano besides it. Its just stellar, fantastic music. hide show

    The first time I heard "The Mix Tape" off the CD everything in transit, I almost cried. Partially because I'm the emotional type, and partially because it was an amazing song. The lyrics just are stellar and the voice has this painfulness with soul. After that, I listened to the CD "Everything in Transit", and I loved every second of it. The band is just amazing and Andrew McMahon reaches new heights, please check them out.

    Do you agree?
     
    Report Abuse
    yay_boredom Added May 18, 2006 All my reviews
  •  
    10 Perfect
    Jacks Mannequin is a new band that appeard on One Tree Hill. There style is extremely differnt but easy listenting. Very chilling, and laid Back! Great Great Band hide show

    I first heard Jacks on One Tree Hill. I immediatly fell in love. I love their style of music. It is very easy listening. Catchy tunes, great lyrics, and just all around an Awesome Band TO Listen To. There unique style is liked by a varity of people. Jacks Mannequin

    Do you agree?
     
    Report Abuse
    krisk13 Added Mar 10, 2006 All my reviews
 

Top Contributors

What is a TV.com Contributor?