Something Corporate and Jacks Mannequin: The Pop Rock Works of Andrew McMahon

[Soot and Stars]

Andrew McMahon



Maybe people are right about today's rock not having anyone to lead the charge like in other generations. Maybe there are no artist who are leading us into the next big musical movements. Maybe no one right now is elevating themselves to that legend status yet. All that said, as always I'm going to shake my fist in defiance as is my MO and bring to you the artist that I think will be appreciated in retrospect for their songwriting skills. One such artists that I've respected immensely for his sensibilities for a perfect pop rock melody is the above pictured Andrew McMahon!

I first heard the works of Andrew McMahon in the group:

Something Corporate

with the album:

Leaving Through The Window


The whole name, Something Corporate, IMO is just ironic as hell as it may have meant to be. For a group carrying the flag for a still rare showing of piano driven rock music influenced by Elton John and attracting all age groups to their concerts about the only thing truly corporate about them is that their melodies are so likable. At this point, with their first major release, I think that Andrew was just beginning to become the writer he would become but their is a grab bag of pop goodness on that c.d.! Here are some tracks:

If You C Jordan
(The Single, just a fun song)


Hurricane


Punk Rock Princess

^^^^^
A good song made better in this rare acoustic version!

Punk Rock Princess (Heroine) (acoustic)


All these songs are sweet and show the writers wit, lyrically tapping into the minds of modern youth playing with an ear for sugar coated pop melodies! My love affair with this artist really showed up on a b-side and continued from there!

 

[Soot and Stars]

One of the singles released for the first c.d. was this track:

I Woke Up In A Car


The song was in the same vein as the others but it was the gem that came with it as a b-side that made this single a gem:

I Woke Up In A Car (Single)

The b-side Konstantine had been released before on some rare compilations and word had spread wide across the internet allowing me to hear it after my friend downloaded it on Napster! I fell in LOVE with that song and I rushed to find the single because singles are impossible to find after the copies sell out the first time in stores. The following as I've said many times here is my second favorite song ever made! Just gorgeous and the melody is one I could listen to forever! The perfect pop ballad!

Konstantine

 

[Soot and Stars]

The second c.d.

North


commercially was a flop compared to Leaving Through the Window and would be the last release Andrew would do with Something Corporate but it's an album that's grown on me! Here are some standout tracks for me:

As You Sleep


Space
(single)


Down

 

[Soot and Stars]

After Something Corporate finished up their contract with their label in 2005 they went on a hiatus that is just barely being lifted now as their is plans for a new tour. The last thing they released was this DVD:

Live At The Ventura Theater


On this DVD is a live performance of the classic Konstantine!

Konstantine Live


As you can see the audience has a very close connection to it! This would mark one of the last performances (but not request) of the track to date as well as any Something Corporate song as Andrew would form his own project with:

 

[Gabble Ratchet]

I can't stand the voice, and I get the feeling I've heard it all before. Sorry, but I'm sitting this one out

 

[Soot and Stars]

Jack's Mannequin

This was a much more intimate project for Andrew as his personal life had brought him into some very serious areas. Andrew had been battling leukemia which influenced his tone and intimacy of his songwriting. Jack's Mannequin was highly influenced by the changes brought by this change of perspective and the first album focused on home. Home was California for most of his life so California became his muse. The album:

Everything In Transit


produced a lyrically heightened yet still pop worthy collection of tracks! Here are my favorites:

The Mixed Tape
(The first single)


Holiday From Real


Dark Blue

 

[Soot and Stars]

The last release to this date is:

The Glass Passenger


This c.d. is Andrews moodiest and most introspective by far. I really think this is where he's going to take off from as an artist! As he'd shown his talent in shades before I think on this album he found his place! Some of my favorite moments lyrically and melody wise appear on here! I love the single:

The Resolution


There's a lot that I don't know
There's a lot that I'm still learning
But I think I'm letting go
To find my body is still burning
And you hold me down
And you got me living in the past
Come on and pick me up
Somebody clear the wreckage from the blast

And I'm alive
And I don't need a witness
To know that I survived
I'm not looking for forgiveness
I just need light
I need light in the dark as I search for the resolution

And the bars are finally closed
So I try living in the moment
'Til the moment it just froze
And I felt sick and so alone
I can hear the sound
Of your voice still ringing in my ear
I'm going underground
But you'll find me anywhere I feel

That I'm alive
And I don't need a witness
To know that I survived
I'm not looking for forgiveness
I just need light
I need light in the dark as I search for the resolution
I need light in the dark as I search for the resolution

You hold me down
You hold me down
I'm alive
And I don't need a witness
To know that I survived
I'm not looking for forgiveness

I'm alive
And I don't need a witness
To know that I survived
I'm not looking for forgiveness
I just need light
I need light in the dark as I search for the resolution
I need light in the dark as I search for the resolution
I need light, I need light

My other favorites include:

Annie Use Your Telescope


Hammers and Strings (A Lullaby)


Caves

 

[Soot and Stars]

I can't stand the voice, and I get the feeling I've heard it all before. Sorry, but I'm sitting this one out

Believe it or not Sal, I'm going to agree with you on something! Andrews McMahons vocals are far from his strongest point but like many songwriters he's created songs that fit with his voice and as his career progressed he became better and better at bringing the two together! The first album is pure pop and the best thing he created with Something Corporate was my second favorite song ever Konstantine! I put a little of everything in to create a full picture so a sampling really does no justice. What he reached musically with Jack's Mannequin The Glass Passenger really has me excited!

 

[METALPRIEST]

Nice stuff!

I really dug Holiday From Real and Dark Blue back to back.

Annie Use Your Telescope
As You Sleep
&
Hurricane

...are also nice!!

 

[Gabble Ratchet]

OK I'm listening to Annie Use Your Telescope and it's instantly better than the Something Corporate songs, it's more of a Coldplay style song, the piano is audible and the lack of guitar is refreshing!

Now onto The Resolution, I agree that his songwriting has got better. It's a much more mature sound in JM than in SC, more stripped down too which I like in itself