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Everything in Transit is the debut studio album by American rock band Jack's Mannequin. Amid rising tensions within Something Corporate, the band went on a break; returning to his home in Orange County, California, frontman Andrew McMahon began working on a new project with producer Jim Wirt. Tracking commenced at 4th Street Studios in California, with additional recording done at other studios. Towards the end of the sessions, McMahon signed with major label Maverick Records; tracking was presumed finished in late 2004. McMahon began playing shows with Jack's Mannequin in early 2005; the group embarked on six-week tour, which coincided with the single release of "Holiday from Real". With the recording and inclusion of "Dark Blue", the album was pushed back to early August. McMahon began suffering from chronic fatigue and laryngitis; in the following days, he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Over the next two months, McMahon was admitted to hospital, underwent two rounds of chemotherapy (in between which he contracted pneumonia), and had a bone marrow/stem-cell transplant from his sister Katie. "The Mixed Tape" was released as a single in mid-July; an animated music video was made later that month. After two delays, Everything in Transit was eventually released on August 23. McMahon spent the next two months recovering at his parents' house before going in remission in October and played his first show since his diagnosis in December. He started promoting the album with a few late-night talk show appearances, before supporting O.A.R. on their US tour; "Dark Blue" was released as a radio single in June to coincide with the trek. They embarked on a headlining US trek in September and October, followed by a supporting slot for Panic! at the Disco on their US arena tour, which was promoted with the release of "La La Lie". Another headlining US tour followed in February and March 2007, leading to a performance at The Bamboozle festival. Everything in Transit is a concept album centred around McMahon's return to California and the demise of a long-standing relationship. Removed from the musical style of Something Corporate, it is a pop rock and power pop record, influenced by pop albums from the 1960s and 1970s, specifically the Beach Boys' Pet Sounds (1966). Everything in Transit received a positive reception from critics, with a few praising McMahon's lyrics. It sold over 22,000 copies in its first week, charting at number 37 on the Billboard 200 as a result. As of August 2008, it had sold over 250,000 copies. Celebratory reissues were released on the album's 5th and 10th anniversaries; the latter was supported with a tour.
Reviews
Everything In Transit is the debut album by Jack's Mannequin. It contains the kind of (emo) pop/rock that sometimes sounds a bit generic. The good part is that the compositions are not that bad and also the production has not aged a bit. It’s a concept album, but to be honest I could not force myself to pay enough attention to the lyrics. Still it’s certainly not a bad album.
Not the most original sound but what it lacks in originality it makes up with catchy tunes
A very touching backstory on this one, but sadly didn't find it all that musically interesting. Feels like I've heard this exact same arrangement of emo pop on 30 different albums on this list.
It's nice but this kinda sound is already covered. It's definitely on the better end of this sound and it does still sound fresh 2 decades later. My personal rating: 3/5 My rating relative to the list: 3.5/5 Should this have been included on the original list? No.
A bit too whiney and emo for my taste. Probably something I would have enjoyed at 14, but definitely not at 38.
Hints of Midwest emo, plenty of gorgeous piano, very Phantom Planet / tv theme sounding. Odd lyrics, good music, a good suggestion
This was alright for me, not bad, not great. Felt sort of like a mashup of Green Day, Death Cab for Cutie, and maybe a little Ben Folds sprinkled in. And I feel the same way about all those bands - they're okay, but not great. 3 stars.
Pop rock, power pop. Bueno, vale, bien. Un 4, venga.
God, read the story of this album, it's moving. I liked it at points, but wasn't that into the pop punk of it all. The less punky tracks are sweet and pleasant though.