concert review

August 3, 2008
The Sunshine Theater
Albuquerque, NM

It’s rare that an opening act band can light up a room, or even catch somebody’s attention. However, at the Jack’s Mannequin show last week, that’s what I experienced. Paper Route, an indie/ambient/electronica band from Nashville, blew my mind. This is definitely a band that will (or at least should) be going places. They had a great sound and even better vocals. This is even more impressive considering the venue is not exactly known for its acoustics.

The 35-minute set consisted of accordions and tambourine-infused madness. All songs were from their EP, We Are All Forgotten.

Once Paper Route left the stage, I was thinking about leaving. Jack’s Mannequin (in my opinion) is just a so-so band, but I was pleasantly surprised. They sound much better live than on CD.

Andrew McMahon, the lead singer of Jack’s Mannequin, sang pop tunes while playing one-handed piano and head-banging. Impressive.

The band played songs from Everything in Transit, which included “Kill the Messenger,” “Bruised,” “Holiday For Real,” “Dark Blue,” “La la Lie” and “Rescued.” He also played a slow-tempo song that he said was personal to him, but I didn’t catch the title due to frumpy boys screaming and banging on the plastic windows that separate 21+ and under-age kids.

Even if you’re heard of Jack’s Mannequin and aren’t too crazy about them, I advise you to check out this show. If not for them, then at least for Paper Route. I find it rare these days to find a genuinely talented new band.

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