Jason Mraz - Waiting For My Rocket To Come

Jason Mraz - Waiting For My Rocket To Come: A++
(The Garden's Pick of the Month)

Actually, it's interesting because I got this CD as part of a BMG promotion -- and I didn't spin it very many times

In a 24HF moment, they seem to play Remedy (I won't worry) a great deal while I'm on the stationary bike -- anyways, it convinced me to give it more spins -- that and the emotional moments of the past three weeks

There are so many standout tunes on this one, it's hard for me to pick out just a few that are excellent --- the CD opens with "You and I Both" -- and it's been awhile since I just really grooved in to an uplifting poppish bittersweet song -- this one has tremendous lyrics and an awesome stick in your head hook and chorus

"I'll do anything" does as much for a reggae flavored song that has been heard in pop circles in a while, it's essences of that flavor combined with a push-pull emotional quality -- just fantastic stuff

"Remedy (I won't worry)" -- ok, I'm sure everyone has heard this one by now -- it's the single -- and it has this wonderful flavor to it that's kind of Dave M. but also has a soul vibeishness like Brand New Heavies -- the bridge breakdown is just way too much pop goodness, it's really refreshing to hear legitimately good pop

"Who Needs Shelter" is a real throwback to Bread-sounding music, excellent, elegant, simple -- great -- "Curbside Prophet" is another toe tapper, it's grooving stuff, it even has ... a BANJO!!! -- the vocal delivery is like a sing songy rap, it's amazing how he pulls it off without sounding cheesy -- this song just grooves

"Sleep All Day" -- this one throws it back to some 70s soulful pop -- again it sounds like Robbie or Brand New Heavies -- the only thing is that Mraz's vocals kind of lift the British soul pop style to a new level (oh yeah, he's an American) -- and it's just unique to find a CD nowadays where you just let it run and it's great to listen to actively or just fill the silence

"Too much food" is more of a rocker, the fun thing about this song is the lyrics -- really creative stuff here -- I imagine that this one is a singalong at his shows -- his rapid fire delivery on this one is defies tongue twisting danger

"Absolutely Zero" is a haunting emotional ballad -- it's like a renovation of the old Bread style -- this time with complex relationship lyrics mixed in with the heavy emotional vocals -- amazing, AMAZING song, maybe the best of the CD

"On Love, In Sadness" is great, as if someone was paying attention to The Smiths style of pop -- great lyrics, pop stomp, and a carefree vibe -- just a fun listen --
"No Stopping Us" is for us late 70s soul pop fans -- just really vibey, groovy stuff -- that is just a real cool take on retro, just so much poppy goodness -- it's hard not to smile while listening to this one -- reminds of a 70s movie or sitcom opener

"The Boy's Gone" again, someone was paying attention to the British melancholy movement -- and just that kind of Sergio Mendes type jazzy soul -- neat stuff, lyrics -- "I'm gonna be happy with the way I am -- gonna be happy now" -- cool
-- "Tonight, Not Again" -- it's very strange, this might be the weakest track on the CD, and it's still pretty good

The unique thing about this album is the emotionality of Mraz's vocals -- it's been a while since someone has captured the subtle command of emotional vocals -- at times, he reminds of Robbie Williams and at times David Gates of Bread, but it's just fantastic stuff if you like someone with tremendous command vocally

The lyrics are clever -- and his delivery at times invokes a rap quality but not cheesy apeish rapping, it's just good flow -- I know that some reviewers have said it almost seems like he sat in front of the TV and cribbed most of it -- I just call it brilliant flow and writing

And the songs just are so great to listen to, they have a great flow to them -- and most of them have that elusive stick to you quality -- just well crafted top to bottom

So anyway, here at the Garden, we think this simply an amazing album, an amazing debut -- it does outstrip Evanescence in terms of a major debut -- so go out and go discover one of the best kept secrets of American music -- you probably won't be disappointed -- in fact, we think you'll be happy you did