Show Review

Though Jack’s Mannequin released only their second album this past September, lead singer/pianist Andrew McMahon has quite a few years under his belt fronting Something Corporate in his younger days. Back in the small club days, he was sporting a stand up piano and a presence unmatched by any other pianist around. Now in his new musical incarnation, he sits behind a grand piano but one thing remains: his boundless energy.

Jack’s Mannequin has become quite popular since the release of their debut album Everything In Transit but for the release of their sophomore album The Glass Passenger Andrew and Co. decided to bring it back to the small club setting. It seems fitting since The Glass Passenger is a much more intimate album as revealed by tonight’s opening tune ‘Annie Use Your Telescope;’ a wispy yet entrancing song. After which he burst into the first two cuts off the album ‘Crashin’ and ‘Spinning.’ Though they played all but two of Passenger’s thirteen songs, they didn’t leave behind songs off In Transit such as ‘Dark Blue’ and ‘I’m Ready.’ Before Andrew began ‘I’m Ready,’ he announced that it was a special show for him personally because The Troubadour was the sight of the first sold out Jack’s Mannequin show.

After a couple more songs, Andrew went into the back story behind ‘Swim.’ He professed that during the writing of The Glass Passenger he ran into a writer’s block and began to go a little crazy. He said ‘Swim’ was the song that “saved him.” It seems very plausible that he lost his mind during this album because most of these songs are dripping with emotion and his performance of the songs both physically and vocally portray every drop. The band took a quick break before coming back on stage for a stripped down performance of ‘Orphan’ and ‘Holiday From’ Real.’ Andrew also took the crowd back in time as he played ‘Cavanaugh Park’ which he dedicated to his parents who were in the crowd.

What I admire and respect most about Jack’s Mannequin’s live show is that they marry the quality of their recorded material with the energy you can only get from seeing a live performance. I have seen many bands that can do one or the other but what sets apart great performers is being able to pull off both simultaneously. What made the night even more special was the intimate setting with a band most fans won’t be able to experience in this setting again. Don’t let this deter you from catching them on their next big stadium tour because, as I can attest to, the band can pull off their magical connection with a crowd in any setting.

Set List
Annie Use Your Telescope
Crashin
Spinning
Dark Blue
Bloodshot
Hammers And Strings (A Lullaby)
I’m Ready
American Love
Swim
The Mixed Tape
Miss California
Caves
Bruised
Resolution
Encore
Orphan
Holiday From Real
Cavanaugh Park
La La Lie

review by Matt Zimmerman