mmmmm....AMAZING

I remember the first time that I got to see Jack's Mannequin play... It was a hot day in Milwaukee at Summerfest a few years ago. I was a big fan of the band for awhile. I planned to grab seats and chill in the sun with friends until the show at 10 pm. Well....there was sun, lots of it. So much so it was high humidity and lots of heat in the 100's. I was toasty but excited for everything that would happen that night.
Well all of a sudden I notice on my trip to the bathroom a man hiding behind shades walking towards the stage. I was almost positive, it was Andrew McMahon, but I wasn't sure. It took a second glance, and sure enough it was him. I was able to grab a pic and have a quick chat about his health before we were mobbed. Andrew had recently been diagnosed with cancer 3 months before releasing Jack's Mannequin "everything in transit" album. He was looking healthy after beaten the hardest battle people fight. i couldn't have been happier with the meeting of this amazing musician and the up and coming show that would be performed.
Well what little all of us knew what that there was a very severe thunderstorm brewing and planning on throwing off all shows. It decided to roll through around 5 pm. We decided to stick it out, luckily enough I brought my rain jacket. The things I saw, torrential rains, guys using the rain as a shower with their axe body wash. It was great, bands weren't able to play because of the thunder lightening and crazy rain. I wasn't even thinking of the possibility of getting hit by lightening while standing on metal bleachers. As the rain kept coming more people kept leaving, meaning we got an even closer seat, GO TEAM. As the night progressed, so did the storm. i was waiting until we got the word we would be missing Jack's Mannequin. right around 9 the storm cleared and there seemed to be some action on stage. There were no announcements, just lights and a piano.

A single piano on stage....I knew I'd be in for a treat. sooner than the 10 pm show time out came the man I had met at a time that seemed like ages ago. The experience was amazing and worth every second. Come to find out that night was the last night he had to take his chemo medication for his cancer. The cancer that went into remission. It was a perfect moment, dark blue was being sung and as the words, "this night's a perfect shade of dark blue, dark blue....we were boxing the stars you were swinging for mars." Right as those words were said the storm passed and all of a sudden you could see half of a moon shining down and stars so bright. After that concert, you can't resist being a fan of the band (even if my cell phone was full of water and wasn't working) and the man who has gone through more than any 23 year old should.

So you could only imagine the excitement I had when I saw that face I met a few years ago on the cover of AP magazine this January. I had to buy it even if it was super expensive at an airport on my way home. It gave me hope for the future of my music playing through my headphones, there was a new album released, at some point, hopefully by summer.
Summer came and went without a new Jack's Mannequin album in my car....

Finally a month ago I found out that 9.30.08 would be the release date. I have officially listened to it numerous times and downloaded every EP possible related to it....I'm a happy kid.
The chorus from the song “Lullaby” says, “Give me something to believe in, a breath from the breathing, so write it down I don’t think I’ll close my eyes cause lately I’m not dreaming, so what’s the point in sleeping” and it grabs my attention every time. This collection of songs that make up ‘The Glass Passenger’ is that breath from the breathing, these songs are so alive and contain so much life which is part of what makes this record so good.

So what it all comes down to is taking a leap, holding out until you can't possibly hold on. Without this holding on we wouldn't have this amazing album. Go grab the The Glass Passenger, run don't walk to the stores to buy it. Or if you're too lazy go to itunes and fork over the 9.99, you will love every second of it. I promise, you can thank me later.