Wednesday, September 10, 2008

ANGELA'S iPOD

JASON MRAZ
WE SING, WE DANCE, WE STEAL THINGS (2008)

4 STARS

Okay, I can admit when I am wrong. When my daughter suggested I listen to this CD, I told her I wasn’t interested. I had heard some of his other songs and had not been impressed. But, because it is my daughter, and she insisted, I listened. Now, I can say honestly that I really like this CD. It is not junk, drivel or bubblegum stuff that makes you cringe. It is good listening, snap your fingers, laugh out loud, smile, and even feel sad music. It is not about his voice, though it is easy to listen to, with its air of mellowness and sweetness. It is about his voice complimented by the music, the lyrics and the composition. It is all nicely done. You can’t really tell where one starts and the other finishes. I found the CD to be youthful, simple, clear and easy to listen to...

The CD may initially give the impression of being bubble-gum music, especially if you are already close-minded like me. However, if you listen closely you will indeed change your mind. The upbeat tempo of the first song starts to draw you in. This up-tempo jam made me smile and move. With “Live High”, a feel-good song backed up by a gospel chorus and guitar, Mraz tells us to “live high, live mighty, live righteously, taking it easy.” “I’m Yours” is a mix of reggae, acoustics and country that works. His “Love For A Child” is a pretty song with nice crescendos. It is about growing up in a household with parents that are divorcing. It moved me. “Details In The Fabric” is a soft, gentle, melancholy song sung in duet form with James Morrison. In it he calls us to hang in there, singing, “hold your own, know your name, go your own way.” “If It Kills Me”, has a Beatles/Paul McCartney sound and “The Dynamo of Volition” is a fun tune with a great up-tempo beat. There is some singing and some fast talk singing that vaguely resembles rapping. “A Beautiful Mess” is a pretty song with heart-wrenching music. But, one of the most enjoyable songs on this CD is “Butterfly.” When I play this song, everyone (adults and teens) smiles. It is a steamy song and when he sings lines like “let me ride my tongue along your bottom lip and bite down” or “kiss me with your eyelashes tonight”, it is clear where he is going. But rather than turn it into what could have been a crude song, it becomes a happy song that delights listeners with a mélange of poetry, double entendres and plays on words.

Mraz's voice is not amazing. But with his smooth, easy-listening vocals and the ability to rap and scat with ease, it is pleasant to listen to. His album is not award caliber and not every song works, but it can be listened to over and over again. With this CD, it is our turn “to win some or learn some.” He has certainly won me over and I learned a little something about him and myself in the process. I now invite you all to do the same. Listen some … I promise if you “open your mind and see like me” you will enjoy some.

Check him out at http://www.jasonmraz.com/


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