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| We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things | 
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| Artist: Jason Mraz
Label: Atlantic
Category: Music
List Price: $18.98
Buy New: $9.82
You Save: $9.16 (48%)
New (49) Used (16) from $9.82
Avg. Customer Rating:  83 reviews
Sales Rank: 11
Format: Enhanced
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.1
Dimensions (in): 5.5 x 4.9 x 0.3
MPN: 448508
UPC: 075678994753
EAN: 0075678994753
ASIN: B0013FNC38
Release Date: May 13, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Brand New - Factory Sealed - Import Edition - Shipped from Florida via USPS First class international mail. We ONLY sell what we have in stock. NO back orders here.
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| Customer Reviews:
 "We Sing" better than "We Dance" and yeah, "We Steal Things" too May 21, 2008
8 out of 12 found this review helpful
Jason returns with a new voice after a soul enlightening tour including Hawaii and Australia where he dove into spiritual readings and the Hawaiian lifestyle. The lyrics of this new CD largely reflect those experiences in this introspective and personal album. Of the title, Jason says it best on his website: "What I love about mankind is that yes, we sing and we celebrate when we dance and we're foolish and we steal things. It's hard to have a new idea in music, in fashion, the land we walk on. It's all recycled. I think to say we stole it is a lot more fun."
Starting out the CD is "Make it Mine" with a retro 70's sound, lots of horn and lyrics that reflect his new perspective on life. In the same vein lyrically, he bolts out "Dynamo of Volition" with a lot of energy in classic Mraz style that early Mraz fans will definitely enjoy. In "Only Human" he is accompanied by his new funk retro sound as he reveals our human vulnerabilities.
"Lucky", with the talented Colbie Caillat making for a very nice match, has a subtle jazzy sound, and a beautiful blend of their voices. If you haven't checked out Colbie yet, you should. Ideal love transforms into something more carnal in the horn-fluttering retro funk song "Butterfly". The Jason sound we've come to know on previous CDs, this song delivers plays on words and tongue-twisting double-entendres that only Jason can turn.
He confesses tenderly his own past in "Love for a Child", a song about growing up too fast. "Details in the Fabric" is an emotionally gripping call to hang in there through the tough times. The lyrics of "Coyotes" belie the story of predatory search for love in NYC. Given the subject, it makes me scratch my head that he has a childrens chorus singing backup but is rescued by its very dynamic sound with his rapping style, operatic touches and at times Sting-like sound.
The four songs which I consider to be the creme de la creme of the CD are also on the EP "We Sing" as versions from different sessions. Those include the upbeat reggae sound of "I'm Yours", a tune already an online hit; his anthem "Live High"; the light-hearted pop ballad, "If it Kills Me" in which is he almost sounds a bit like Paul McCartney; and the melodic and nostalgic story of "A Beautiful Mess".
He is back rapping for "Mudhouse/Gypsy MC" live on the EP CD "We Steal Things", along with alternate cuts for "Love for a Child", "Coyotes", and "Man Gave Names to All the Animals".
The third EP CD "We Steal Things" contains excellent alternate cuts for "Make It Mine", "Butterfly", "Only Human", and "Dynamo of Volition".
More like Mr. A-Z than his first CD, "We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things" largely has a melancholy introspective vibe. I think this CD will actually appeal to an older audience with its mostly mellow retro funk sound and revealing personal lyrics. Kenny Loggins fans will find some common ground there. Mraz is definitely stepping away from his safe pop platform and stepping out in a new direction musically. Here's to clear waters! Regardless of the stylistic changes he incorporates in the new CD, I think all fans will be happy with the "We Sing" EP CD and highly recommend it by itself with 5 stars. We all need a little Mraz in our ear.
 Jason Mraz is King!!! May 13, 2008
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
I saw Jason a year and a half ago at Kutztown, and let me just say if you haven't seen him live, try to get to the smallest venue you can find and search this guy out. Homeboy can sing opera like no other. I dig his style and to be honest he is the best singer out there right now, plus he's got groove, and smoothness, and the gift of improv., which is what sets him apart live. Truly amazing live!!!!!! Must seeeeee!!!!!!!!. So anyway, onto his best album he has ever created (no pun meant on any of his old stuff, but he has really come through on this effort). His best song is "Details in the Fabric" just a real nasty track. For some funk I liked "Butterfly". Two love songs right in a row, for you romance killers out there in "I'm yours" and "Lucky" (These songs rule). You can really tell he took some time making this album, which is what all artists should do. Take their time and release good quality music. If he comes back to anywhere around me I am still waiting because the last time I saw him it was the best concert of my life (UP there with the first time I saw radiohead).
 Not as Good as the Others May 19, 2008
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
Ever since I first heard Jason Mraz in 2003, his songs have been played more on my computer/cd player/ipod than any other artist - over and over and over. He writes some incredible stuff, and his voice is one of if not the absolute best out there. I immediately fell in love with "Waiting for my Rocket to Come." A few years later, I was also very satisfied with "Mr.A-Z", although it felt a little over-produced at times.
I had heard mixed reviews about "We Sing..." before it was released, so I wasn't sure what to expect. I've had the album for a few days now and have gone through it many times getting acquainted with the songs, trying to give them a chance to catch on in my head. I've had a lot of trouble putting my finger on it, but it generally just doesn't grab me like his first two albums do. There are only a few songs that compel me to hit repeat - "Lucky", "Coyotes", "If it Kills Me", and "I'm Yours" (obviously, any Mraz fan already loves this one). The rest of the songs just don't stand out to me like his songs usually do.
The album as a whole is a lot more mellow, far too much so I think. I miss the upbeat feels of "Curbside Prophet", "WordPlay", and "Please Don't Tell her." It's too easy for me to tone out to most of the songs and just allow them to be background music for whatever else I'm doing. That doesn't necessarily make them bad, but it just isn't what I'm used to from Jason Mraz. The ballads lack the luster that "Absolutely Zero" contains. "Love for a Child" comes close, but it seems a little too depressing for me to enjoy repeatedly.
I went back and played some tracks from the other two albums, and they instantly confirmed what I had been thinking. They're simpler, lighter, and just more fun to listen to.
Maybe this is just Jason trying new things as an artist. Maybe I'm more underwhelmed by this CD simply because the first two were so fantastic. It seems like a lot of artists do something a little different with the third project. In a lot of ways, it's still the Jason we all love, but in a lot of other ways, it sounds like someone completely different, and not necessarily in a good way. Like others have said, I think this album suffers from a lot of production that just wasn't needed.
I've tried to give this CD the best chance I can, but I think if I had heard this without the first two albums, I would be a lot less impressed by Jason Mraz. As must as it pains me to do so, I'd rate it a 3.5/5 overall. I'm a little disappointed and hope Jason's next album is more like the spirit of the first two.
Lovin' Mraz! July 20, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I had no idea who this singer/artist was. I saw his album cover in Starbucks (and it's sorta eyecatching with the drawing and the title) and said, "Hm. Interesting." Promptly forgot about it. Then heard "I'm Yours" on the radio and said, "Hey, this is great! What a fun song! Who is this?" The announcer said "Jason Mraz". So I said okay, gotta buy it. I did. Now I can't stop listening to it. And do I love Colbie Calliat? YES! Does he happen to have a duet with her on this CD? YES! Do I like every song? NOOO. 3 or 4 of them I can't stand. But the good far outweighs the "bad". And it's not bad, just not my style of music. But overall, a delightful CD. There is this one song, I often fantasize he wrote just for me, is "A Beautiful Mess". That song touches me in every way. The profound words, the melody, the delicate nature. What a gift Jason is. Again, not every song is my style, but the majority? Outstanding. (In case you're curious, my favs in the order of "favorite-ness" are: tracks 5, 2, 12, 6, 3, 11, 4). I highly recommend buying this interesting and fun CD! And listen to the songs more than once before making judgements. Let them play all the way through. The nuances you find time after time is quite remarkable!
 disappointing July 30, 2008
3 out of 6 found this review helpful
I was so excited to hear Jasons new CD! I have been a die hard fan for years! Seen him in concert 3 times! I love his sound and clever lyrics....but this CD does not live up to his others! I think he tried too hard or something. The Jason Mraz I fell in love with is not present in this CD. I am so bummed! Just wanted to warn you....It's very disappointing!
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