SHREDnews

By: Jess Grenier

What would you do if you found out that you had acute lymphoblastic leukemia? How would you react? For Andrew McMahon, the front man of Jack’s Mannequin, the reaction was a fight for life and a catalyst for inspiration. McMahon had to face the terrifying news on June 1^st 2005; thankfully, his doctors caught the leukemia in its early stages and immediately started treatment. This news came a month before the band’s debut-album release Everything In Transit. On the day the album was released, McMahon received a bone marrow transplant from his sister Katie and Everything In Transit debuted at number 37 on Billboard 200. Andrew made a full recovery from his leukemia and Jack’s Mannequin returned to the road to tour. In the summer of 2007, Jack’s Mannequin started writing again for their second album The Glass Passenger. After several delays, this sophomore album was released in September 2008.

In the past month leading to the release of Dear Jack, Andrew has been touring as a solo act to raise awareness of leukemia and to promote his documentary also called Dear Jack. Both the documentary and EP were released on November 3^rd as a joint venture. The accompanying EP comes with four tacks; all of which are heartfelt songs about the tribulations and struggles McMahon faced, and the people who stuck by his side. I have to say, lyrically, these are some of the best songs written.

The EP starts with the self-titled track “Dear Jack,” which happens to be my personal favorite off the Dear Jack EP. The lyrics from this song show how powerful and well written Jack’s Mannequin’s songs can be. The melody flows smoothly with the words, as McMahon creates an easily relatable song. With lyrics such as “You were the fighter/I was the kid against the world/I heard there’s nothing gonna hold you down/I’ll use a lighter so you can see what isn’t there,” the song’s message is easily transferable to anyone’s life.

The following song “Diane, The Skyscraper” gives the listeners a glimpse at what a day in the life of McMahon was like in the hospital. This song is slower and softer than the other tracks, but it has plenty of meaning woven into the lyrics. I love how everything sounds together; it’s an absolutely beautiful song. This track eludes an air that is individual, yet able to flow nicely into the following track.

Originally, “There, There Katie” was written and recorded by Something Corporate, McMahon’s previous band. This song was a thank-you to Andrew’s sister for when she helped donate bone marrow. However, when the song was translated to the style of Jack’s Mannequin for the Dear Jack EP, it became just McMahon and his piano. The intimate feel of the song showcases McMahon’s musical talent as well as his ability to open up to his listeners. Overall, this song very stunning; it is pleasant to the ears and exceptionally sincere.

The last song on the EP, “Swim (Music Box),” has a dreamy music box tune in the beginning. The original track “Swim” was featured on the Jack’s Mannequin album The Glass Passenger. The lyrics in this song are a literal representation of the inner fight that McMahon engaged in while n the hospital. He fought and swam for his music, the music that kept him alive when he wasn’t sure he would survive. Clearly, McMahon has no intention to ever give in.

Overall, the Dear Jack EP is actually quite amazing even though it only has four songs. Jack’s Mannequin fans everywhere will be very pleased with the style and strength of the songs included. Dear Jack was released on November 3^rd along with Andrew McMahon’s documentary also entitled Dear Jack. I suggest that everyone should buy the EP and watch the documentary on Andrew’s journey through getting better from his leukemia.

For Fans Of: Something Corporate, The Rocket Summer, Augustana

Overall Rating Out Of 10: 10/10

Top Tracks To Listen To: Dear Jack, There, There Katie, Swim (Music Box)

Track List:

1. Dear Jack
2. Diane, The Skyscraper
3. There, There Katie
4. Swim (Music Box)