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 Jason Mraz (n.): The Singer/Songwriter of Today's Generation May 13, 2008
Rudy Palma (NJ)
42 out of 49 found this review helpful
From the first track to last Jason Mraz dazzles, perplexes and scintillates on his high-octane 3rd full-length studio album "We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things." His witty, highly individual lyrical style and organic, powerful backing band transform these songs into four minute detours into the mind of the most underrated singer/songwriter of the 2000s.
Lead single "I'm Yours" finally lands on its feet after many years in Mraz's setlists with its mellow, Hawaiian grooves, complete with visions of obligatory surfers and pineapple drinks in the background. It's just a slice of what "We Sing..." has to offer, however. "Lucky" is a sparse, melodic duet with Colbie Callait that transitions aptly out of "I'm Yours," while "Make It Mine" and "Live High" are classic Mraz with feel-good, enrapturing melodies designed to sweep listeners clean off their feet. "Make It Mine" is particularly upbeat, full of hand-claps and lush, horn-laden instrumentation. It should be a single, and if it becomes one it should give Mraz his first major hit since 2003's "The Remedy" if radio programmers have even a neuron left in their heads.
The subject matter is diverse on "We Sing..." but Mraz never suffers from mood swings. "Love For a Child," by far one of the most touching compositions of his career, touches on the effect of divorce on a young child ("When the house was left in shambles/Well, who was there to handle all the broken bits of glass?") while "Only Human" promotes environmental awareness without playing the blame game. "Details In the Fabric" featuring James Morrison is a moody, meditative look at life, love and relationships, while "Coyotes" takes Mraz's sonic pallete in new directions with layered vocals, percolating snyths and an awesome background chorus. His operatic vocals from "Mr. Curiosity" from his last LP make an appearance here.
Other tracks continue the unparalleled quality. "Butterfly" is an awesomely-produced ode to sexual chemistry ("You make my slacks a little tight/You may unfasten them if you like/That's if you crash and spend the night") with effervescent instrumentation and a mercurial, vigorous melody. "If It Kills Me" finds Mraz pining through cheeky, self-deprecating lyrics about the lady who's got everything except the insight to see he's her best match ("We get along much better than you and your boyfriend") while "A Beautiful Mess" bookends the sentiments of "Details In the Fabric" with a more optimistic outlook.
The album's arguable highlight, however, is the curiously-titled "The Dynamo of Volition." Replete from wall-to-wall with Mraz's entrancing singing/rapping style, the song is like "O. Lover" or "Forecast" from 2005's "Mr. A-Z" is that it perfectly captures Mraz's unrivaled melodic weightiness. The lyrics spew left and right in haphazard fashion, but whether or not they are all understood makes no difference. "...Volition" is an exemplary Mraz tune, with a melody powerful enough to hang over the listener, the kind of melody that paints a picture like a scene from an indie movie, that haunts in such a way that it is instantly classic and unforgettable. It says more than any words ever could.
Mraz has that rare kind of talent that puts him in the category of legendary musicians, those musicians with such blazing, inherent talent that it is simply cannot be learned or created. Elton John, Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder come to mind as those types of dynamic musicians that were born with such astounding abilities, and Mraz has what it takes to join their ranks if only more listeners would wizen up and find out what some of us have been lucky to know for over five years.
Sing, dance and BUY (don't steal) this album May 17, 2008
Amanda Richards (Georgetown, Guyana)
15 out of 38 found this review helpful
I really liked Waiting for My Rocket to Come (2002) and Mr. A-Z (2005), and after waiting three years, it's finally time for more Mraz
This is a great album filled with a mix of rhythms for any musical taste, and he had me hooked from first single "I'm Yours", a fun, reggae-based summer-ready track, with lyrics like:
"Well you done done me and you bet I felt it
I tried to be chill but you're so hot that I melted
I fell right through the cracks
and now I'm trying to get back
Before the cool done run out"
After that, try "Lucky" featuring Colbie Caillat, a breezy mid-tempo number that's extremely addictive. I have it on "repeat" as I type this. These two songs alone make the album worthwhile.
Also recommended are "Make it Mine" (jazzy with horns); "Butterfly" (funky, more horns); "Love for a Child" (soaring chorus, nice melody); "If it Kills me" and "A Beautiful Mess".
To quote from the ballad "Details in the Fabric" (with James Morrison):
"Hold your own
Know your name
And go your own way"
Let's hope Jason Mraz keeps on holding his own, and that we don't have to wait another three years for another album. Recommended to buy (not steal).
Rated: 4.5 stars
Amanda Richards, May 16, 2008
 Umm.... Has it been too long? May 17, 2008
Travis J. Wright (Victoria, Australia)
11 out of 15 found this review helpful
Well, let me begin by saying that I - like most Mraz fans - think that this guy is absolutely amazing. To see him live will truly change your life and musical outlook, having seen him 3 times and pining for the next time that he comes back out to Australia.
Having seen the songs of "We Sing..." played live approx 2 months ago, I was more than looking forward to this release - I was DESPERATE for it!
Now that it is out... I feel that it suffers from production. There is too much horn, too much everything. I struggle to hear the quality in the produced versions that I heard in the acoustic originals from the individual ep's. "I'm Yours" & "Live High" are perfect examples of this.
There is no doubt that the amazing talent that is Mr A-Z deserves to be heard by a wider audience and will be given that quality of this disc. My problem is that it just doesn't capture the same quality that he manages to bring to his acoustic performances.
If you are new to his world, do yourself a favour and check out his back-catologue, especially the acoustic sets.... You will not be dissapointed!
Happy Listening!
******** EDIT (August 11) *********
Although I still maintain that this album doesn't have the same emotional pull due to it's over-production, this has grown on me considerably.
Songs such as A Beautiful Mess and Details in the Fabric raise the hairs on the back of my neck due to their haunting feel, If It Kills Me & Make It Mine just make me smile....
After seeing them performed live, you really begin to appreciate the 'bigger' sound that he has gone for.
Saying that....
If this is the direction that Jason is heading in, while it is by no means terrible, I am truly thankful that I have been able to see him live and acoustic, playing original versions of songs like You and I Both, 0% Interest, Rand McNally, etc....
In 3 years time, this guy is going to be massive! Get on board people!
Pretty Pop!! May 29, 2008
Nse Ette (Lagos, Nigeria)
10 out of 11 found this review helpful
I first heard of Jason Mraz some five years ago when I heard his catchy Pop ditty "The remedy" which to borrow from the title of another hit of his featured very clever "Wordplay".
"We sing, we dance, we steal things" is his third studio album and his first I've owned. It reminds me of the catchy, well written Pop music of the Seventies, with a spare clean sound.
Lead-off single "I'm yours" is a nice folky guitar driven song with Ska influences and some skat singing. Opening cut "Make it mine" is a sunny upbeat song with a great horn section which just makes me feel good.
"Lucky" is another outstanding Beatles-esque guitar ballad and it is a duet with Colbie Caillat. Their voices harmonize so well together. The albums other duet features UK soulful crooner James Morrison; the spare acoustic "Details in the fabric" with lovely strings. Beautiful!
Other standouts are the upbeat and groovy "Butterfly", the lovely and groovy "Coyote" (with a nice children's backing choir and some operatic flourishes adding to the drama - my favourite), the soulful/jazzy ballad "Only human", the disco/funk-tinged "The dynamo of volition" (with a spitfire vocal delivery, it wouldn't sound out of place on a Jamiroquai CD), the Beatles/Elton John sounding piano ballad "If it kills me", and the tender soulful closing ballad "A beautiful mess".
This is such a catchy and classy CD. I would heartily recommend it to anyone who appreciates good music.
Okay May 15, 2008
Karly (Maplewood, MN USA)
7 out of 9 found this review helpful
I think this may be a case of overproduction. I would love to hear this album minus some of the horns, keyboards, backup singers, etc. For me, they detract rather than enhance.
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