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 (release date:
8/23/05 on Maverick Records),
a highly personal theme
album by McMahon and collaborators.
It’s clear that, like
his longtime band, McMahon’s
latest venture defies an
easy pigeonhole.
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 Something
Corporate producer Jim Wirt,
a friend and collaborator.
McMahon and Wirt produced
the album, which also features
Bobby (Raw) Anderson on
guitar, and Patrick Warren
(who’s worked with
Fiona Apple, Macy Gray and
Jon Brion) with organ, strings
and arrangements. Mötley
Crüe’s Tommy
Lee supplied live drums
to complement samples by
CJ Eiriksson, who also served
as the album’s engineer.
And what does Andrew 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.