Jacks Mannequin Show Review

[Jason Tate]

A not-so-great review of Jack's Mannequin (http://www.absolutepunk.net/jacksmannequin)'s show at Keene State College can be read here (http://media.www.keeneequinox.com/media/storage/paper537/news/2007/04/26/AE/Jacks.Mannequin.Rocks.With.A.Side.O f.Cockiness-2880510.shtml).
After exhausting his supply of piano-accompanied angsty emo-boy lyrics with his band Something Corporate, singer-songwriter McMahon embarked on side project Jack's Mannequin. As he pranced around the stage in the Spaulding Gymnasium on Sunday, passionately pounding out simple chord progressions on his keyboard and singing that "every inch of me is bruised, bruised," it became clear that what we have now is a Something Corporate reincarnate with a larger helping of ego.
Submitted by konstantine94

[cubmatt2]

boo

[Blake Solomon]

blah, she's a good writer, but obviously isn't the right person to review this show. She barely talks about what the show was like (he cussed and dedicated a song to VT). This wasn't an album review. Oh well.

[lukew29]

come on man...who are you to say all that shit, ya i liked SoCo alot better but still, its a good cd, and he does a good job making you feel his music live, i respect your opinion about it, but this review, like most, is based on personal feelings not on how the actual show went.

[Jason Tate]

come on man...who are you to say all that shit, ya i liked SoCo alot better but still, its a good cd, and he does a good job making you feel his music live, i respect your opinion about it, but this review, like most, is based on personal feelings not on how the actual show went.
Leave the comment on their page ... I highly doubt they'll see it here.

[iihungrieii]

i dont think she likes JM

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[radxbandit]

This response (some girl from their message board) deserves to be published in their followup:

"Having seen this band several times myself, I feel confident in saying that a good portion of the 'rock star' talk is pretty tongue-in-cheek. If you had taken the time to speak to Andrew offstage, you'd be surprised to find that he's one of the most generous, self-effacing people you'll ever meet. He bends over backwards to please his fans, which is why we tend to take it personally when we feel he's been unfairly judged.

It is awfully presumptuous of you to claim that he doesn't 'live' his message of love. After winning his recent battle with leukemia, he has done his share of charity work, from rewarding fans who donate blood and bone marrow, to setting up his own organization, The Dear Jack foundation, to funnel money towards cancer research and donating 100% of the proceeds from a 21-city tour to that cause. Five minutes of research would have been enough to tell you that the man does a lot of good.

Whether you enjoy their music or not, Jack's Mannequin IS a rock and roll band, their songs are rock songs; if you are unable to see that, you clearly have a very narrow vision of the genre."

[Blake Solomon]

This response deserves to be published in their followup:

"Having seen this band several times myself, I feel confident in saying that a good portion of the 'rock star' talk is pretty tongue-in-cheek. If you had taken the time to speak to Andrew offstage, you'd be surprised to find that he's one of the most generous, self-effacing people you'll ever meet. He bends over backwards to please his fans, which is why we tend to take it personally when we feel he's been unfairly judged.

It is awfully presumptuous of you to claim that he doesn't 'live' his message of love. After winning his recent battle with leukemia, he has done his share of charity work, from rewarding fans who donate blood and bone marrow, to setting up his own organization, The Dear Jack foundation, to funnel money towards cancer research and donating 100% of the proceeds from a 21-city tour to that cause. Five minutes of research would have been enough to tell you that the man does a lot of good.

Whether you enjoy their music or not, Jack's Mannequin IS a rock and roll band, their songs are rock songs; if you are unable to see that, you clearly have a very narrow vision of the genre."


well said.

[trindaddy]

This response deserves to be published in their followup:

"Having seen this band several times myself, I feel confident in saying that a good portion of the 'rock star' talk is pretty tongue-in-cheek. If you had taken the time to speak to Andrew offstage, you'd be surprised to find that he's one of the most generous, self-effacing people you'll ever meet. He bends over backwards to please his fans, which is why we tend to take it personally when we feel he's been unfairly judged.

It is awfully presumptuous of you to claim that he doesn't 'live' his message of love. After winning his recent battle with leukemia, he has done his share of charity work, from rewarding fans who donate blood and bone marrow, to setting up his own organization, The Dear Jack foundation, to funnel money towards cancer research and donating 100% of the proceeds from a 21-city tour to that cause. Five minutes of research would have been enough to tell you that the man does a lot of good.

Whether you enjoy their music or not, Jack's Mannequin IS a rock and roll band, their songs are rock songs; if you are unable to see that, you clearly have a very narrow vision of the genre."
very well put

[thesego211]

at this point can we all agree that anyone who uses the word "emo" in a review is quite ignorant and loses all credibility?

[Jonathan Lally]

Critics.

[rcrook]

this article loses its validity when you read that its from keene state college

[NationalProduct]

what a lame review. that guy or girl should be kicked in the fuckin dick

[iihungrieii]

This response (some girl from their message board) deserves to be published in their followup:

"Having seen this band several times myself, I feel confident in saying that a good portion of the 'rock star' talk is pretty tongue-in-cheek. If you had taken the time to speak to Andrew offstage, you'd be surprised to find that he's one of the most generous, self-effacing people you'll ever meet. He bends over backwards to please his fans, which is why we tend to take it personally when we feel he's been unfairly judged.

It is awfully presumptuous of you to claim that he doesn't 'live' his message of love. After winning his recent battle with leukemia, he has done his share of charity work, from rewarding fans who donate blood and bone marrow, to setting up his own organization, The Dear Jack foundation, to funnel money towards cancer research and donating 100% of the proceeds from a 21-city tour to that cause. Five minutes of research would have been enough to tell you that the man does a lot of good.

Whether you enjoy their music or not, Jack's Mannequin IS a rock and roll band, their songs are rock songs; if you are unable to see that, you clearly have a very narrow vision of the genre."

damn thats a good response

[Chris Fallon]

What a load of bullshit. Andrew is a terrific guy and has done a lot of good in both chairty work and music. If people can't see that, they aren't paying attention.

[Fuce]

what a lame review. that guy or girl should be kicked in the fuckin dick

I don't know why I would even bother to try and put it better than that. What an awful review.

[sk8hamburger7]

What a load of bullshit. Andrew is a terrific guy and has done a lot of good in both chairty work and music. If people can't see that, they aren't paying attention.
yea, but just because he does that, which is awesome, doesnt make this shows any better.

[AdamSocial]

Finally, a reviewer I can agree with!

[drive-thru]

whoever wrote that article was a douche.

[Jawknee]

very well put
Additional generic praising comment.

[tommyhaych]

The comments from this persons buddies make me sick:

"If only you fans could get as impassioned about politics, the environment, or social justice as you do about some shitty rock band. Is Jack's Mannequin what drives you in life? Does this music make you want to be better people?

You people are clowns. Keep em coming, I could use some more laughs."

I mean, what the fuck is that?

[Praetor]

What a moron. Honestly. I mean, just be fair. He or she obviously knew what they were going to write about him before they even saw the show.

[harryCane]

God, I wish so-called "journalists" would get a grip on what "emo" is... sheesh. :shake:

[tommyhaych]

Do a search on facebook for "Julie Emmond" for the perp.

[trindaddy]

Additional generic praising comment.

im sorry for saying that agree and liked what he wrote. get over it.

[soulineyes]

Andrew is hit & miss. He can be the nicest guy in the world, and is about 95% of the time, or he can be an ass. While it is rare, everyone has their moments. On stage, is where most of his moments are. He overuses profanity, there's no question there for me.

[GoWaitInTheCar]

I'm happy finally someone said what I thought but didn't care enough to write.

However some of what the review said was ignorant. He's done a lot for cancer research, everyone knows that.

[GoWaitInTheCar]

at this point can we all agree that anyone who uses the word "emo" in a review is quite ignorant and loses all credibility?

Emo is emo. It is what it is. Five, six years ago using the term "scene" was unheard of, it was called emo.

[callingallcars]

i love jacks mannequin and something corporate. it just aggravates me when people like this try to say that singer songwriters lke McMahon are emo-boys or they imply that musicians are not up to snuff. He passionately pounded simple chord progressions? did Beethoven write this review?

[playcraktheskyy]

Emo is emo. It is what it is. Five, six years ago using the term "scene" was unheard of, it was called emo.

For you 5 or 6 years ago was called being 13. Emo was not used as being "scene" and "being scene" was unheard of because people weren’t as close minded back then and shows were a lot more positive and about the music and community. Being "scene" was actually what it is, being a part of the music scene. Making friends at shows, and watching all of the bands that came out to play. I’m not saying I don’t enjoy a good amount of the bands that get stamped with the "emo" tag, I just don’t agree with the people that place it there. Which I’m starting to notice are a lot of kids in your age group. This puts the word into uneducated people’s mouths like this writer and many more I have seen.

[hailthewarrior]

The article made me lol out of sheer bias, wow. But... yeah, most of my feeling we're summed up on other pages...

[Freakx45]

that review is very one sided. i have been to two jack's mannequin shows and at every one, he has put his heart into it. her view is very distorted and should have done some research about him before actually writing something.

[EnvyOnMyCouch]

The review was probably written by a girl that knew/maybe liked Something Corporate, but was never really INTO them. Said girl isn't really into the music much and hears that Andrew McMahon from Jack's Mannequin is the same guy from SoCo? (no way!) Expecting the music has to have totally changed, she checks out a concert and is disappointed to hear what she remembered as SoCo. Now how she came up with the word "prance" who knows...

[GoWaitInTheCar]

For you 5 or 6 years ago was called being 13. Emo was not used as being "scene" and "being scene" was unheard of because people weren’t as close minded back then and shows were a lot more positive and about the music and community. Being "scene" was actually what it is, being a part of the music scene. Making friends at shows, and watching all of the bands that came out to play. I’m not saying I don’t enjoy a good amount of the bands that get stamped with the "emo" tag, I just don’t agree with the people that place it there. Which I’m starting to notice are a lot of kids in your age group. This puts the word into uneducated people’s mouths like this writer and many more I have seen.

The point I was trying to make is that it's a common slang word nowadays and everyone in this thread is pissed off they used "emo". If they used the word "scene" they would of been even more frustrated. That's why I said it is what it is. It's new age emo scene emotional rock pop punk, whatever sudivision everyone wants to make it.. Whatever word you wannna use would all be valid words for the same thing.

[emokid333]

Heaven forbid he may not feel the same way he did when he wrote some of these songs 3 years ago

[GoWaitInTheCar]

One thing people have to remember the review is an example of bias. I'm sure if you went to a show for a band you didn't like you'd also misinterpret what point they were trying to get across.

He thought Jack's Mannequin was laughable and egotistical. Life goes on.

[Freakx45]

One thing people have to remember the review is an example of bias. I'm sure if you went to a show for a band you didn't like you'd also misinterpret what point they were trying to get across.

He thought Jack's Mannequin was laughable and egotistical. Life goes on.

Yea. There are people out their that may not like Jack's Mannequin but hopefully, someone out their can change their view.

[GoWaitInTheCar]

Yea. There are people out their that may not like Jack's Mannequin but hopefully, someone out their can change their view.

I'm not into anything in this genre so to me it's really uninspiring and bland but to someone else it's the world.

Just different opinions and that's what makes life what it is.

[MFhayes]

He, more than most people, has the right to be "emo".

[StrictlyBiznas]

The comments from this persons buddies make me sick:

"If only you fans could get as impassioned about politics, the environment, or social justice as you do about some shitty rock band. Is Jack's Mannequin what drives you in life? Does this music make you want to be better people?

You people are clowns. Keep em coming, I could use some more laughs."

I mean, what the fuck is that?

People who say things like that really get to me. Who is he to say what anyone should be passionate about? Talk about an ego...wow. I'm not even a big JM fan, but I'm still passionate about the music I listen to, and whose to tell me I shouldn't be?

[PoliticalMike]

I could be wrong, but when they came to my campus, the show was free to students. So if this chick is a write for some college she most likely got in for free too. Nothing like getting into a free show and then slamming the band. Perhaps she would have had more fun hanging at the local sushi bar and laughing obnoxiously with the rest of her Delta Gamma pig sisters and yes, DG girls are in fact pigs.

[captainamazing4]

gotta love critics of course ;]

[badnewsandliars]

this guy obviously game in with his mind already made.

[SellMyOldClthes]

Whoa. Besides some of the unnecessary Keene State College digs I completely agree with most people here. I was FORTUNATE to attend this great show put on during our spring weekend and was nothing but impressed by Andrew and the boys. They ripped through their entire cd, a tom petty cover (awesome), and a soco song and were nothing but gracious toward the crowd the entire show. They announced several times that it was their last date on a short college tour following their long headlining tours and they were glad to be done, but gave every last bit of what they had left to the Keene State crowd. If anyone should have been ripped in this student's article it should have been Cartel, who played before JM. Will seemed to be incredibly upset the entire night and was constantly yelling at techs and his band. I just think this person should have been glad that such a fun loving, appreciative band decided to make the trip to Keene, NH of all places to play in front of a crowd that more likely than not had started listening to the band the week before the concert and had never heard of them or Something Corporate prior to the show.

[redeyes]

newsflash: you can be a good person and still have a side project that is just a watered down version of your first band. nobody's saying he's a bad guy, it's just that jack's mannequin doesn't do anything that would have been out of place on a soco record.

[LoadedGunX21]

Whoa. Besides some of the unnecessary Keene State College digs I completely agree with most people here. I was FORTUNATE to attend this great show put on during our spring weekend and was nothing but impressed by Andrew and the boys. They ripped through their entire cd, a tom petty cover (awesome), and a soco song and were nothing but gracious toward the crowd the entire show. They announced several times that it was their last date on a short college tour following their long headlining tours and they were glad to be done, but gave every last bit of what they had left to the Keene State crowd. If anyone should have been ripped in this student's article it should have been Cartel, who played before JM. Will seemed to be incredibly upset the entire night and was constantly yelling at techs and his band. I just think this person should have been glad that such a fun loving, appreciative band decided to make the trip to Keene, NH of all places to play in front of a crowd that more likely than not had started listening to the band the week before the concert and had never heard of them or Something Corporate prior to the show.


sounds a lot like when they came to UT last year. most of the students that showed up (and considering Toledo is a decent size school, the audience was by no means large) had pretty much no idea who they were or anything, but JM still poured their heart out and put on a really great show. matter of fact, both times ive seen JM, they put on an awesome show, full of passion, energy, and great music. I dont know how he can do it, but Andrew jumps around and dances and just goes crazy all while playing the piano and singing- its nuts. Andrew and the boys are class act (minus the cursing thing- but lots of people curse a lot, so its not fair to slam a musician for it just because he does it with a mic), great performers and musicians. period.

oh, and Cartel was just mad because they wanted to play the show in their bubble. hah
sorry, someone had to say it

[myaimistruex3]

I respect everyone's opinion, but haven't we all determined that the word emo just needs to be cut out of our vocabulary? At this point, it just seems like such a lame dig to take at a band. This person is getting on his case for being respectful to the Virginia Tech victims..which is even more lame. I understand if your not into the music, but come on. Plus, I saw JM yesterday at Bamboozle and they were probably one of the best of the day, imo.

[forumreader]

newsflash: you can be a good person and still have a side project that is just a watered down version of your first band. nobody's saying he's a bad guy, it's just that jack's mannequin doesn't do anything that would have been out of place on a soco record.

I agree, but I think the problem some people are having is that the article throws the ego word on him as well. I thought the review was fine. If this is what the person saw at the show and how they felt about it, then so be it.

Also, about the guy saying that the article was an extreme example of bias. Well of fucking course. It's a review.

[Hexxagonal]

I respect everyone's opinion, but haven't we all determined that the word emo just needs to be cut out of our vocabulary? At this point, it just seems like such a lame dig to take at a band. This person is getting on his case for being respectful to the Virginia Tech victims..which is even more lame. I understand if your not into the music, but come on. Plus, I saw JM yesterday at Bamboozle and they were probably one of the best of the day, imo.I think the main confusion with the term is that everyone associates it with what it meant in their decade. For me in the mid-90s it meant something entirely different than now. The people from the mid-80s it meant something entirely different than it did in now or in the mid-90s.

Seriously, who cares what genre a music is in as long as it is good. It's ridiculous.

On a side note (and a bit hypocritical), JM is definately not punk in any way. I have their cd/b-sides and I don't get where that comes from.

[watch.the.sky.]

I know someone who went to this show and they said that it was actually one of the best JM shows they had ever been too. And that Andrew did an amazing job.

[emaline]

bahahaha. i wonder the kind of facebook attack she's getting.

[konstantine94]

Whoa. Besides some of the unnecessary Keene State College digs I completely agree with most people here. I was FORTUNATE to attend this great show put on during our spring weekend and was nothing but impressed by Andrew and the boys. They ripped through their entire cd, a tom petty cover (awesome), and a soco song and were nothing but gracious toward the crowd the entire show. They announced several times that it was their last date on a short college tour following their long headlining tours and they were glad to be done, but gave every last bit of what they had left to the Keene State crowd. If anyone should have been ripped in this student's article it should have been Cartel, who played before JM. Will seemed to be incredibly upset the entire night and was constantly yelling at techs and his band. I just think this person should have been glad that such a fun loving, appreciative band decided to make the trip to Keene, NH of all places to play in front of a crowd that more likely than not had started listening to the band the week before the concert and had never heard of them or Something Corporate prior to the show.

Whoa Will was yelling at the techs and the band? I've never seen him angry, that's so weird!

I really hope people aren't attacking this girl on Facebook. I didn't like her review, but it's her opinion.

[emaline]

Whoa Will was yelling at the techs and the band? I've never seen him angry, that's so weird!

I really hope people aren't attacking this girl on Facebook. I didn't like her review, but it's her opinion.
that wasn't a review, it was an attack. while i don't think people should seek her out on facebook and attack her about it there, her review ignored the principles of good journalism. even if you HATE something, you can't review it like she did. and in reference to this, i use the term "review" loosely, because she neither researched the band/man she was attacking, nor did she really talk about how the show went.

[CorporateFish]

"Having seen this band several times myself, I feel confident in saying that a good portion of the 'rock star' talk is pretty tongue-in-cheek. If you had taken the time to speak to Andrew offstage, you'd be surprised to find that he's one of the most generous, self-effacing people you'll ever meet. He bends over backwards to please his fans, which is why we tend to take it personally when we feel he's been unfairly judged."
That's what I was going to point out. Andrew's such a great guy..
It's all opinion really, but if JM isn't her thing, why would she review the show to begin with?

[KrissyNH]

This person obviously has a strong hated for Andrew and shouldn't have reviewd this performance being biased.

[EmilyRegina]

at this point can we all agree that anyone who uses the word "emo" in a review is quite ignorant and loses all credibility?

this article loses its validity when you read that its from keene state college

Hmmm... I agreed the most with these two comments. Maybe its more in the way 'emo' is used sometimes that makes writers sound weird/ognorant/whatever. Sounds like she was trying to sound versed on something she is completely unfamiliar with.

This was less of a review and more of an op-ed piece. I hope she realizes that polarized digs like this will only cause her to take backwards steps in her writing "career."

[Chris Fallon]

yea, but just because he does that, which is awesome, doesnt make this shows any better.

Never said it did - but she said a lot of other shit that was trying to say Andrew was just an arrogant rock star, which he is not. But I've seen him twice, and both times, the man has been flawless in his execution and delivery of every song, so I just have to think this critic has something more against Andrew than she is revealing.

[watch.the.sky.]

that wasn't a review, it was an attack. while i don't think people should seek her out on facebook and attack her about it there, her review ignored the principles of good journalism. even if you HATE something, you can't review it like she did. and in reference to this, i use the term "review" loosely, because she neither researched the band/man she was attacking, nor did she really talk about how the show went.
I agree I don't think that was a review but more of an opinion. A review shouldn't say some of the things she mentioned. It should include both posotive and negative comments.