Flashback/Album Assessment: Jason Mraz Special

It is probably no secret that Jason Mraz is one of my fave male vocalists ever. Up there with Simon Curtis, Will Young, Robbie Williams and Chris Caraberra, he has a lovely laid back vocal quality with some really good tonal inflections that bring personality and warmth to whatever he sings. And he has just released what may be my favourite new album of the year so far, and certainly the feel good album of the year so far. First though, sneaky peek into the past as I evaluate how well his first two albums have stood the test of time...

I heard the buzz surrounding Mr Mraz's first single and kept randomly hearing it all over the place, so finally succumbed to the frat-boy-with-a-boner charm of it and checked it out. The Remedy was the perfect first introduction to the laid back stylings - it's coffee house, but with a china cup polish. Jason's whole style is matching his witty lyrics to what Poppostergirl rather brilliantly calls guy-on-beach-with-guitar music and it all lacks pretension because the melody and voice carry it all off. The debut album is an intruiging merging of different styles and influences and Jason works well with all of them. While at times this smacks of a young artist searching for direction, it's easier to overlook that and just enjoy the tunes. For example, You And I Both could have been a bit to John Mayer for my liking but it strongly showcases just how smooth and controlled Jason's voice is when given chance to shine. I'll Do Anything has a lovely reggae inflected beat to it, while Who Needs Shelter is a definite highlight perfectly aligning that tonal quality i mentioned with the laid back instrumentation, allowing the lyrics and delivery to power the song. There are a couple of duds on the album, but all in all it's an impressive first set and the closing track (Tonight, Not Again) utilises his soaring voice so powerfully as an instrument that it almost leaves you breathless. Quite the accomplishment.
Singles: The Remedy; You And I Both; I'd Do Anything; Curbside Prophet (2004 Remix)

"Sophomore" albums, as my buddies across the pond call them, are notoriously difficult. Artists agonise about them, fans endlessly debate whether the finished result is as good as the first album and critics just want to know if there is any payolla for them writing about it. Mr. A-Z continues Jason's uncanny ability to pick perfect first singles that sum up the album in 3 minutes. Wordplay has him spitting out his witticisms and observations on the process of recording a comeback single, with such ferocity and speed that it makes the autobiographical first album cut Curbside Prophet (the song not the album) seem like a ballad. A polished veneer by producer Steve Lillywhite ensures that this (and other tracks) have a radio friendly punch to them. Similarly there is self awareness aplenty in poking fun at the genre divide in the poptastic and catchy Geek In The Pink (it's almost pop-hop!) and the bouncing Did You Get My Message - both of which deserved to be bigger smashes than they were. However, it's this album where Jason has really grown as a songwriter and often overlooked are the 70s influences in his work. The gorgeous post 9/11 world anthem Life Is Wonderful can make spirits soar on the darkest of days with it's restrained delivery and positive lyrics. Life lessons continue in the Ainslee Henderson co-penned coming of age saga Clockwatching and once again, the album closes with an impassioned performance on the uplifting Song For A Friend. A natural maturation from the first album, but the tunes don't suffer - it just adds more layers
Singles: Wordplay; Life is Wonderful; Geek In The Pink; Did You Get My Message?

We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things...

While Jason has kept die hard fans entertained with a plethora of covers (ranging from the poppy Melt With You and Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy to more sensitive Summer Breeze and Rainbow Connection) and live cds, his third cd proper arrived this very week and solidifies the best of his first two albums with only one slight misstep. Indeed, it really is more than a pop album - it's a cohesive creation of feelings and emotions that carries the listener from start to finish. It also proves three things:

1. Jason is still a horny frat boy at heart.
2. I was right to back Jason Mraz over John Mayer and Jack Johnson
3. At times when listening to this record you will want to dump the one you are with and run off with Jason for a quick cuddle

The album sees Jason continue down the road of whatever attracts him musically, yet this is his strongest set of work to date. It also solidifies his lead off single choices as a talent rather than blind luck. I'm Yours (a demo originally in 2006) seemed an odd choice at first, but this tale of true love and devotion that will sound amazing around a beach campfire works incredibly well in the context of the album and the romantics among you (me included - this soundtracked the PazDecks/DazPecs nuptuals) will melt at the lyrics. The album's first track segues nicely into I'm Yours - Make it Mine is an upbeat little number full of handclaps, horns and choirs - a theme that permeates the album without overstaying it's welcome. I have to confess that when I heard JM had collaborated with Colbie Callat I rolled my eyes. Indeed I felt that even Mandy Moore (if she could have taken time out of her early back catalogue bashing schedule) would have been a better choice. But take a listen to Lucky I'm In Love (With My Best Friend) and try not to envy the emotions going on in the songs sparse melodic arrangement. Indeed, it did make me want to snog DazPecs a little longer than normal.

Don't think Jason doesn't have his groove on though - we steal things may relate to the 70s disco funk running through the seduction song Butterfly. It's part Jackson 5 part Maroon 5, heck even part drunk Bailey in Party of Five. The songs practically embodies the term fizzypop as it effervesces along with saucy lyrics like "you make my slacks a little tight/you can unfasten them if you like". Um, ok then. It redeems the song title Butterfly in the pop world too, since Mariah destroyed it's reputation back in the 90s. And if you go to the other end of the spectrum, there is possibly the most touching tale of the lasting effects of divorce on Love For A Child. Coyotes sees a bit of experimentation with the vocals being layered and a nifty background chorus. Actually, the only misstep for me is the James Morrison duet. Though it does have the word diahrrea in it, so it balances out.

Finally if you are missing the spunked out so fast it will blind you lyrics, you'll catch them in the amazing Dynamo of Volition. Despite the Alanis-esque title, the words blend seemlessly with the music - so much so that the instrumentation practically writes the song itself. It's almost like staring at the red plastic bag in American Beauty and understand it way more than any dialogue could explain. Once again Jason has produced an incredible piece of work about the vaguries of life and once again, it will criminally be overlooked by the masses.
Potential singles: I'm Yours, Lucky, Live High (spiritual successor to Life Is Wonderful), Butterfly

Tomorrow: Chess reviewed! Season review part one (TV)

Happy Birthday! The lovely Martha Wainwright title worthy Bernice! And Nick Alien Hitter! Have great days!! :)