Review: “We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things” – Jason Mraz

Periodically, I like to review an album. Amongst mercurial mood-swings of taste, I occasionally latch onto a unique album making it my temporary obsession. It’s these that I tend to review. Accordingly, my musical fling this week is Jason Mraz’s “We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things.”

What I appreciate about Jason Mraz’s music is it’s freshness, variability, and skilful instrumentation. Since I’ve never listened to Jason Mraz before, I can’t compare it to his previous work. But the album shows a mature musicality, and influence from a few different musical styles.

A definite highlight track for me, is “Butterfly”. I love the punchy brass, and funky rhythm! The vocals include unmistakable Michael Jackson imitations, playfully suggestive lyrics that never fail to make me smile, and later in the track – yes, it really is – scat singing!!!

Another supreme track is “The Dynamo of Volition”. Such a catchy chorus! ”Live High” has some wonderful lyrics urging the listener to “live high, live mighty, and live righteously”, with fitting backing from a gospel choir. The radio-overplayed “I’m Yours” reminds me a lot of Jack Johnson’s beach-appropriate, leisurely style, but with improved backing vocals and instrumentation (i.e. more than just a guy with a guitar). “Lucky” features a nicely-balanced duet with Colbie Caillat, and sweetly romantic lyrics.

Highly recommended. Check it out; let me know what you think!

Rihanna: Good Girl Gone Bad

For months now, I’ve stubbornly resisted buying this album. During that time, it has been topping the iTunes charts and is played incessantly across the radio. Everyone has heard it, and most listeners have a strong opinion about it one way or the other. So finally, I can ignore it no more – I caved and bought it.

A paradoxical album, some of its tracks have an addictive, driving beat that has me turning up the volume and moving to the pulse. Others, like ‘Umbrella’, are so unbearably annoying and unmusical that I can hardly bear to listen to them. 

No one can deny that the album has variety. There are club-style dance tracks in ‘Don’t Stop the Music’ and ‘Push Up On Me’. The vocals of ‘Lemme Get That’ are mostly rapped, while ‘Good Girl Gone Bad’ sounds more like pop of the generic “soft-rock” radio variety. ‘Shut Up and Drive’ (great track!), has rock guitars and drums. All of this from an artist whose previous albums were criticized for lacking versatility. No more!

It’s true – there’s some lack of musicality here. The melodies aren’t impressive for their own sake, and the tracks are driven mostly by a strong rhythm section. But, credit must be given for certainly showing much improvement over Rihanna’s previous albums. 

My conclusion: it’s a worthwhile album! If you can avoid those few tracks that will drive you insane, the rest is a really good listen.

Jools Holland

For those who like swing and/or blues music, I highly recommend Jools Holland’s ‘Best of Friends’ album. It has a great mix, with some totally swing-able dance beats, and other slower blues classics. Featured on the playlist are guest duets with KT Tunstall, Bono, Sting, Norah Jones, Eric Clapton, and others (21 tracks!).

My favourite track is #10: an interpretation of Willie Dixon’s “The Seventh Son”. In the fifties, Dixon made links between blues and rock-and-roll. Jools Holland stays true to that ambition with a wonderfully foot-tapping rhythm, and superb vocals by Sting. I also just love the lyrics!