Jack's Mannequin - Dear Jack (Digital EP)

Andrew McMahon released this week his 'Dear Jack' movie, a documentary about his struggle with leukemia. It is accompanied by this digital EP which features four unreleased Jack's Mannequin songs. Both proceeds from the DVD and EP sales will benefit Andrew's cancer research fund, the Dear Jack Foundation.

Three songs are brand new, the fourth one is a remixed version of the single 'Swim'. They're all somehow related to the documentary and have been written a few years ago. It is yet the first opportunity we have to hear their studio version. The title track is the song that inspired the band's name and is a bit more upbeat than the others. 'Diane, the skyscraper' was written when McMahon was diagnosed with leukemia, in New-York. It's the only song he wrote while he was in the hospital. Diane was the name of his nurse back then. The song shows off the songwriter's fears and at the same time his striking mental strength. 'There, there Katie' is a pretty piano-driven song that was half-written during the 'Everything in transit' sessions and completed after he found out his sister Katie was going to save his life by donating him her stem-cell. The new version of 'Swim' adds sweet music box notes to the beautiful and powerful lyrics we already knew, with its repeated poignant line "I'm not giving in".

I haven't had the chance to see the documentary yet, but this digital EP must be its perfect soundtrack. They're not musically amazing, but the hope and strength contained in their lyrics are nothing but moving. Andrew McMahon is not only a great songwriter, he's also an incredibly inspiring and respectable man. You'd expect those songs, based on his struggle to survive, to be fueled by the worst thoughts and a constant darkness, but they're just pretty songs full of maturity, optimism and composure. It is just remarkable, after everything he's been through, to hear him sing "This world can be ugly, but isn't it beautiful?".

3.5/5

Recommanded if you like:
Something Corporate, Waking Ashland, Augustana
Check also:
We Shot The Moon, Ben Folds, William Tell

www.myspace.com/jacksmannequin
(iTunes & Amazon, 2009)