Waiting For my Rocket to Come
A review of the new Jason Mraz CD
Ian Anderson
Issue date: 4/4/03 Section: A&E
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You know you have come across an exceptional artist when you truly believe that the artist's live performance is superior to that of his album recordings. In the case of Jason Mraz, the medium restricts all that he is capable of doing with his talented voice. Though Mraz doesn't hold back on Waiting For My Rocket to Come, it does lack the humor and energy that his live performances produce.
Inspired by a psychic in Central Park, Mraz moved from his home state of Virginia to San Diego, California. He started playing guitar late in life at the age of 18, but his talent has earned him enough respect to share the stage with greats such as Bob Dylan, Paula Cole, Jewel, and David Gray.
I first saw Mraz in a video on his website, playing a solo acoustic version of "You & I Both". He was wearing a baseball undershirt with red sleeves and a matching red hat turned a little to the side.
I wasn't able to take him seriously until he started to sing. I was shut up for the whole song, lost in amazement at this kid's voice. He seemed so comfortable singing, able to simply let himself go and put out all the emotion and humor he feels is necessary.
Aside from his great voice, Mraz' creative and honest lyrics also highlight his new album. "Let's get set then to go then and let us jet set we'll be like the Jetson's / You can be Jane my wife. Should I marry Jane tonight?" he says on "I'll Do Anything."
Mraz's live performance is so good and raw that one can forget the fact that Waiting For My Rocket to Come has so many poppy noises and choruses. I don't mind it at all because I still realize how talented he is. His original lyrics, gifted voice, and subtle humor can still be obviously seen on his album.
Luckily, though, his Live CD can be purchased on his website at http://www.jasonmraz.com. This album was recorded live at Java Joe's in Ocean Beach, CA in 2001 and has quite a few other songs that aren't on his Mraz's new album.
When he sings, Jason Mraz has that sort of smirk on his face that says "I know I sound good, and someday I'm going to make it big." It's obvious that he will make it big someday, for he not only has the potential, but I have heard that it's his goal to become huge.
"I love to see the world smile. And while the world's got its mouth open grinning, I'll sing right down their throats hoping they'll find their own way of regurgitating it later spreading the sickness of simple life," said Mraz in an interview on his website.
When listening to Mraz's music, the above statement is very apparent. To put it simply, his music makes people happy. Because of this goal of his I believe that he does not worry about making all of his songs stick to a strict musical style or form. He dabbles in many different styles of music and smudges the results all over his album. The product is a brilliant debut studio album that has groovy beats, smooth lyrics, and happy tunes.
Right now, Jason Mraz's album is on sale at Best Buy for $9.99. With 12 songs on the album, that's only 84 cents per song. If that's not convincing enough, go check out the nine free songs on his website.
Inspired by a psychic in Central Park, Mraz moved from his home state of Virginia to San Diego, California. He started playing guitar late in life at the age of 18, but his talent has earned him enough respect to share the stage with greats such as Bob Dylan, Paula Cole, Jewel, and David Gray.
I first saw Mraz in a video on his website, playing a solo acoustic version of "You & I Both". He was wearing a baseball undershirt with red sleeves and a matching red hat turned a little to the side.
I wasn't able to take him seriously until he started to sing. I was shut up for the whole song, lost in amazement at this kid's voice. He seemed so comfortable singing, able to simply let himself go and put out all the emotion and humor he feels is necessary.
Aside from his great voice, Mraz' creative and honest lyrics also highlight his new album. "Let's get set then to go then and let us jet set we'll be like the Jetson's / You can be Jane my wife. Should I marry Jane tonight?" he says on "I'll Do Anything."
Mraz's live performance is so good and raw that one can forget the fact that Waiting For My Rocket to Come has so many poppy noises and choruses. I don't mind it at all because I still realize how talented he is. His original lyrics, gifted voice, and subtle humor can still be obviously seen on his album.
Luckily, though, his Live CD can be purchased on his website at http://www.jasonmraz.com. This album was recorded live at Java Joe's in Ocean Beach, CA in 2001 and has quite a few other songs that aren't on his Mraz's new album.
When he sings, Jason Mraz has that sort of smirk on his face that says "I know I sound good, and someday I'm going to make it big." It's obvious that he will make it big someday, for he not only has the potential, but I have heard that it's his goal to become huge.
"I love to see the world smile. And while the world's got its mouth open grinning, I'll sing right down their throats hoping they'll find their own way of regurgitating it later spreading the sickness of simple life," said Mraz in an interview on his website.
When listening to Mraz's music, the above statement is very apparent. To put it simply, his music makes people happy. Because of this goal of his I believe that he does not worry about making all of his songs stick to a strict musical style or form. He dabbles in many different styles of music and smudges the results all over his album. The product is a brilliant debut studio album that has groovy beats, smooth lyrics, and happy tunes.
Right now, Jason Mraz's album is on sale at Best Buy for $9.99. With 12 songs on the album, that's only 84 cents per song. If that's not convincing enough, go check out the nine free songs on his website.