The Glass Passenger [2 LP Vinyl]

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Editorial Reviews:

Product Description
Following the critically acclaimed debut album, Everything In Transit, Andrew McMahon returns with his Jack's Mannequin entity for The Glass Passenger. McMahon calls The Glass Passenger 'a record about getting through something that was negative and getting to something that was positive.' This is a 2-LP regular-weight black vinyl set.

Album Description
Two CD set. Following the critically acclaimed debut album, Everything In Transit, Andrew McMahon returns with his Jack's Mannequin entity for The Glass Passenger, Alternative Press' The Most Anticipated Album for 2008. The ethereal voice, songwriting powerhouse and full contact keyboardist McMahon calls The Glass Passenger 'a record about getting through something that was negative and getting to something that was positive.' The Glass Passenger is Something Brilliant. 15 tracks

Customer Reviews: Read 15 more reviews...

5 out of 5 stars

Andrew McMahon Continues To Amaze September 30, 2008
15 out of 18 found this review helpful

First off, I want to make a few things known. I've been listening to this CD for about a month now as I received an advanced copy. The Glass Passenger is probably my least favorite of Andrew McMahon's four prominent CDs (Everything in Transit, North, & Leaving Through the window). That being said, this CD is still amazing. I've listened to the CD it seems about 100 times. It's more mature than his previous efforts and his voice sounds a bit different but it's not neccessarily bad. Some songs, however, take a bit of listening to get into. The primary reason that I can't say that The Glass Passenger is better than his previous albums is because I tend to skip a few tracks when listening which I've never done with the other 3. However, don't expect it to lack in the passion, catchy tunes, and heavy, piano-driven songs that are easy to sing along to from his previous albums. This album will not dissapoint in that aspect. Songwise, some are better than others. One thing that I dislike is some of his choruses on the album are pretty weak. The songs:

The Resolution - An amazing, powerful song that you'll be singing before you even finish the song for the first time.

Spinning - This has become my favorite track on the whole record. It reminds me of the old Andrew McMahon and the beat is incredible.

Swim - This is the first track that stood out to me on the first listen. It's emotional and the lyrics are very good.

American Love - Good, catchy song but this is a track similar to what I mentioned previously about having a weak chorus (Big hearts are for breaking?) Of the songs that have weak choruses though, this is my favorite.

What gets you off - I like this song as well but it took awhile. Andrew's voice is noticeably changed on this track.

Crashing - Another song similar to spinning... a throwback to his older stuff. Very catchy and good lyrics. I like this song a lot.

Annie Use Your Telescope - I've heard that a lot of people like this song but I usually skip this track. Musically, this song encompasses a lot of instruments but I'm more into lyrics and this song doesn't do it for me.

Suicide Blonde - Here's another one of the bad chorus songs. Chances are, if the chorus was different, this could be one of the better songs on the album. But it's not.

Drop Out - I really dig this song. Powerful stuff... I feel like this track could have ended the album.

Hammers and Strings - It took a couple listens to really appreciate this song. His voice is again more mature on this track but really this is just a beautful song in the same sense as Konstantine.

Bloodshot - This is another one of the good songs. It's faster-paced and kind of intense but it'll stick in your head for a day after you listen.

Orphans - I skip this track too usually. The chorus is stupid (You're no orphan?) and it feels really out of place. The verses are decent and make the song listen-able though.

Caves - Wow. This song is absolutely incredible. The first time I listened to it, I didn't appreciate it because the first 3 minutes are slow and drawn out but it slowly progresses and you can feel Andrew's heart and soul in this song.

Overall, go out and buy this album.

4 out of 5 stars

A Thought-Provoking Masterwork... October 2, 2008
10 out of 11 found this review helpful

The essence of The Glass Passenger is Andrew McMahon's valiant fight for life. He was diagnosed with lieukemia the same day that the mastering was completed on Everything in Transit, and it is a harrowing story of how one of America's most beloved and talented musicians nearly did not record another album, as quite simply he might not have been around, as the first track, Crashin', on TGP illustrates well.
A scary thought, seeing as few singer/songwriters out there are able to brilliantly conduct a mini-symphony with just a piano as McMahon can. For people unfamiliar with the group, it IS Andrew McMahon. Like Conor Oberst is to Bright Eyes. He is the heart and soul of this music, and good god, what incredible music he has the potential to make.
Let's get something clear. This album is not as catchy, nor as good, as Everything in Transit. But it doesn't have to be. Every note encapsulates Andrew's struggle for life, as well as his rejuvenated spirit in the wake of being given a second chance. TGP could be the soundtrack to anyone's life, and it is perfect listening material, no matter what mood the listener is in.
I would argue the album is broken down into two parts. The first six songs are similar to Something Corporate, except for Swim, which is a special, albeit slightly dull piano ballad. But not a ballad to a girl, like would be found on EIT. It is a ballad to the celebration of life, and to pulling yourself out of the deepest of holes. Spinning is the best track on the album, no doubt. It is destined to be the catchiest song of fall 2008, and although I haven't quite pulled together its meaning, it is truly amazing. American Love is a wonderful track, albeit with poor lyrical work, and What Gets You Off?, while sporting the most awkward title ever created, is pure essence of McMahon's soul.
Now, the second half of the album loses steam. Everyone is ranting about Annie Use Your Telescope, but it really detracts from the overall flow of the album. The last few songs are noticeably slower, and, although I HATE to say it, a little boring. First single, The Resolution, does not fit among these tracks and should have been the first track on the album. good pick for the first single, though.
This album is amazing, whether it immediately grabs you or not. I know it took me a couple times to appreciate it, and in fact, I was about ready to dismiss it altogether. But I just lost a friend to suicide four days ago, and so far, this had provided me the soundtrack for finding grief. Personally, it was almost astonishing how well timed this album's release was to help me get through the pain, and indeed it did. It will give any dark heart solace, and it is overwhelming to hear just how ecstatic McMahon is to be alive. A triumph.

2 out of 5 stars

Glass Passenger ... Broke October 1, 2008
3 out of 7 found this review helpful

Is it possible to incur the dreaded "sophomore slump" if, technically, you've already released three albums? After slogging my way through the latest offering from Andrew McMahon, who contributed to a pair of studio releases from Something Corporate and one under the moniker of Jack's Mannequin, the answer, I'm incredibly disappointed to say, is an emphatic yes.

Simply put, it was an absolute struggle for me to get through "The Glass Passenger." I was a big fan of "North," "Leaving Through the Window" definitely had more good songs than bad, and "Everything in Transit" completely blew both of those efforts out of the water. That's what made listening to this most recent album so deflating.

I know success leads one to try to push one's limits further, and I have absolutely no way of knowing whether that's what McMahon was shooting for with this album. Regardless of the reasons, the album sounds overproduced, and as a result, McMahon's considerable musical abilities get almost completely lost and have no room to breathe.

What made "Everything in Transit" so enjoyable was the fullness of its sound and how McMahon's passion seeped from MP3 player to earphones to brain, losing nothing along the way. While I was listening to "The Glass Passenger," by the time the sound hit my ears, it was basically a great big "meh." That, coupled with a change in McMahon's singing style that I can't quite put into words (the closest adjective I can come up with is "warbling"), left me spending song after song hoping for some radical turnaround. And then the album was over.

I'm not remotely ready to give up on McMahon and whatever project he takes on next. The guy is too talented. But right now, I'm longing for those halcyon days of 24 hours ago, when I didn't know "The Glass Passenger" existed and all was right with the world. If you want to hear somewhat-mainstream piano-based music done the right way, point your browser in the direction of Ben Folds' "Way to Normal" instead. Or just queue up "Everything in Transit" and sigh wistfully.

5 out of 5 stars

I'll Write You A Lullaby October 22, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

I'm a huge Jack's Mannequin fan, and therefore was quite excited to get this album, after anxiously waiting three years for it's release. I was not disappointed. Lead singer Andrew McMahon could be described as a musical genius, crafting songs that fill you with emotion. Given Andrew's recent experience with cancer, one would think that this album would be a downer, filled with sadness, but it is instead quite the opposite. Rather then being a record about getting sick, this is a record about getting better, and the songs are filled with strength and hope. I won't go through a track by track summary since many reviewers have already done that, but I will point out my favorite tracks, such as Hammer's and Strings (A Lullaby), which is a beautiful ballad about not giving up and finding hope, and Crashin, the upbeat opener that proclaims "I want to hear some music." Even tracks that I didn't care for as much on the first listen, such as Suicide Blonde and Orphans, have grown on me, and all the tracks fit together to make what has quickly become one of my favorite albums. I don't think this album should be compared to Everything In Transit, since they were written at very different times in Andrew's life, and are both brilliant albums in their own right. I urge anyone who has not gotten this album yet to make the purchase, rather it is from Amazon or elsewhere, for you will not be disappointed. I also recommend going to Jack's Mannequin's upcoming headlining tour, as they will be playing the new album live, and it should be an unforgettable experience.

5 out of 5 stars

BEST ALBUM OF '08 September 30, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

This album is BY FAR the best album of the year, hands down. Eclectic, upbeat, catchy, lyrically superb, I truly haven't stopped listening since I bought it. Hammers and Strings is one of my favorite on the album. It's just so beautiful.
It's awesome to see how Andrew McMahon has matured since his Something Corporate days. It's refreshing to see such an honest, true musician develop into one of the greatest songwriters of my generation (80s babies).
BUY IT NOW! You will NOT be disappointed.

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