We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things.

Yesterday, the new album from Jason Mraz hit stores with a startling lack of shelf space. And because I just completed my fourth and final AP exam today, I decided to treat myself to a nice, musical treat to enjoy while working on my long-neglected homework pile.

After listening to the CD, I have some definite favorites which I am sure I will point out. My first favorite would be the second track, "I'm Yours" which I'd already heard from a mix my friend Danielle made me. I'd loved it already and was pleased to find it on the CD. It's a mellow, beachy song that makes you want to sit down, close your eyes and sway from side to side (so get your lighters out, people). Another favorite of mine is "Lucky" which features Colbie Caillat. It's a really happy, pretty song and the duet is absolutely amazing. The lyrics are really relatable and fun and Jason seems to really have fun through the entire beginning of the song (listen and you'll hear what I mean).

Another one of my favorites "Details in the Fabric" which features James Morrison. I heard this song was immediately reminded of another soft, acoustic musician but I can't put my finger on the name. I got this vibe with a lot of the songs on the album, so perhaps it only shows that all the songs are distinctly new and yet distinctly Mraz-esque. But this song is really beautiful and there's a lurking emotion behind each of the melodies and all the vocals that really makes it come to life and stick out from most of the other songs.

The next three songs, "Coyotes", "Only Human" and "The Dynamo of Volition" are probably my favorite songs of the whole album. They have the familiar fast-talking lyrics that we're familiar with from songs such as "Wordplay" (Mr A-Z) and "The Remedy" (Waiting for my Rocket to Come). They all have more minor-sounding melodies which makes them a bitter sort of upbeat. And did I mention there are traces of synthesized beat tracks in the background as well? These songs are really fun, especially if you focus and try to concentrate on the flow of the words (especially on "The Dynamo of Volition"). And the end of "Coyotes" have little kids singing. Which is absolutely adorable.

The only song I wish hadn't appeared on this album was the fourth track, "Butterfly." This song was a little awkward to listen to because it showed all the sexual thoughts running through Jason's head in some strange, somewhat comical metaphors. It is fun to listen to but you still feel awkward listening to it. It could have been just as well-rounded without that particular track.

Songs I excluded: "Live High", "Love for a Child", "If It Kills Me" and "A Beautiful Mess" all of which are good but not immediate favorites.

Three Songs I Love

Right now, things are incredibly stressful. With all the various tests, exams and assignments I have from school, prom, and personal events that I have coming up, I hardly have time to root myself in anything for more than fifteen minutes of concentration. This includes my blog, my AP Lang essay, my AP Bio lab report and TV shows.

Thankfully, my favorite songs aren't over fifteen minutes long because then I'd be in serious trouble. Three songs I've been listening to obsessively to keep myself "in the zone" I will now dissect for you here in my blog.

1. "Plane" by Jason Mraz
This song is really mellow at the beginning with a minor key tonality and pretty piano key tinkling. The lyrics are comprehensible and are, at times, clever. Jason manages to keep himself almost monotone through the first part of the song before the strings cut in and he lets go... a little. However, in the next part of the song, there is a controlled intensity in the music as well as in his vocals. Then it calms down again only to close with a crescendo of cathartic emotion.
Listen here

2. "Mad World" by Gary Jules
This song has been on my mind since I saw in the last scenes from the movie Donnie Darko (which is beyond amazing). The lyrics are flowing and so is the music and vocals and basically every aspect of this song. It's easy to sing along to, without much of a range of notes to be had, and it moves so seamlessly from verse to chorus to verse that by the time the song is over you can hardly remember what exactly you just heard. So you listen to it again. And again.
Listen here

3. "If I Was a House" by Beasts and Superbeasts
I've already dissected this song enough with my last post so I'll just summarize my feelings here. This song is amazing. I like to think of it as three parts that all fall together in a puzzle pieces way that makes it fantastic. It is all at once whimsical, emotional and magical. I listen to this song over and over trying to hear each and every detail of the dual vocals and the unique sound of each instrument present in the song.
Listen here

These three songs have kept me fueled throughout a long and grueling batch of homework that seems to grow and grow like a Chia Pet without any reprieve in sight. Hopefully, they can last me until the end of the school year. I'll cross my fingers.