For me, the appeal of music isn’t the beat or the head-bang factor in a club. For me, the artistry comes from the lyrics. This is why Coldplay is one of my absolute favorite artists, along with Death Cab, Postal Service and similar bands that express soul through their lyrics rather than spitting out just another catchy beat.
What makes the lyrics even more touching is when you know that the group has some level of street cred. That term may seem out of place when you’re not talking about 50 Cent and how he was shot 9 times, or J Lo who grew up in the Bronx, but when a song’s lyrics are meant to touch your soul, it matters all the more to know that the artist behind them has experienced and understood the emotions behind them: love, pain, anger, confusion, joy, relief.
This is why Jack’s Mannequin is so touching.
Lead singer Andrew McMahon is a representation of the perfect artist. In 2005 (before the release of JM’s debut album), he was diagnosed with Leukemia. Since then, not only has he suffered from, beat and survived it, but he has poured his soul into his music in a way that all can recognize. And he-along with the rest of Jack’s Mannequin- was at the Murat Egyptian Room on Wednesday, February 24th-to my immense excitement.
The Murat is an excellent concert venue. The Egyptian Room in particular is spacious and provides both standing room as well as tables and chairs in the back (which most often seems to be occupied by the bored chaperones of the underage). Also provided are drinks-albeit for the typical inflated prices-inside the hall, and a vendor located in the lobby. The lobby area outside of the room provides enough space for both the food vendor as well as merchandise tables for both openers and headliners.
Jack’s Mannequin was opened by Vedera. The group was greeted warmly, but the crowd in the hall was there to see the headliners. Personally, I was surprised to see the Egyptian Room so full-of all the concerts I have ever attended-Saving Abel, the Flobots, Fergie, Jon McLaughlin, Plain White Teas and more-this was the most packed.
As Vedera concluded its performance, there was a palpable feeling of excitement as the crowd anticipated the arrival of Jack’s Mannequin. To an accompaniment of screaming fans-surprisingly comprising of an even number of guys and girls of all ages-the band opened with a few of their older songs including “Mixed Tape” from their debut album Everything in Transit. The band continued on with McMahon energetically playing the piano as the crowd sang along to a majority of the songs.
One thing was evident: this crowd wasn’t just there for any concert-they were there to hear Jack’s Mannequin. They played all of their major hits including “La La Lie”, “The Resolution”, “Bruised” and my absolute favorite, “Dark Blue.” They also played another song that tops my favorites list, tying “Dark Blue” for the spot: “The Lights and Buzz.”
This song seems to be the most meaningful of all, as the lyrics make you wonder….
“It’s Christmas in California
And it’s hard to ignore that it feels like summer all the time
But I’ll take a west coast winter to remove my splinters
It’s good to be alive
It’s good to be alive”
For their encore, Jack’s Mannequin came back to play “Swim” from their latest album, The Glass Passenger-released in 2008- and “Made For Each Other” from Everything in Transit.
All in all, the show was incredible. I had the great fortune of meeting front man Andrew McMahon and guitarist Raw Anderson after the show and they were incredibly sweet (not to mention, patient) with the crowd of fans milling around in front of their tour bus. Despite having attended the concert and hearing every single one of our favorite songs, my friend and I (shout out to fellow Jack’s Mannequin fan, Alicia Garcia!) still hadn’t had enough.
We drove home to the soundtrack of Jack’s Mannequin serenades.
