Concert Double Feature: Green Day and Andrew McMahon

Is it 2005 again? I’ve been having so many musical flashbacks to high school this week.

First, I saw Green Day on Sunday night. Like so many kids before me, Green Day was my gateway into rock music. And I know I don’t get any street cred for admitting this, but I absolutely adore American Idiot (and I will fight anyone who disagrees with me). It’s been a few years since they came around, so needless to say, I was psyched to see them again.

Sadly, this was the best picture I could get.

As you can see from the picture, we didn't have the best seats. Green Day shows are just not the same if you're not in the pit, but unfortunately, general admission tickets sold out way too fast. But it was still an incredible show. Billie Joe Armstrong has always been one of my favorite frontmen to watch perform, and his rehab stint certainly didn’t change that. He’s still the crazy ball of energy he always is— although I felt like maybe he didn’t drop quite as many F-bombs as usual. (What is this world coming to?!?)

Side note: after years of talking up Green Day’s live show to my friend Ali, she finally came along with me. And now she just keeps asking what the hell took her so long. So seriously, if you haven’t seen them yet, do it. Just DO IT.

And then on Tuesday, I saw Andrew McMahon (formerly of Something Corporate and Jack’s Mannequin) play at the Highline Ballroom. In 2003, Something Corporate was the opening act to my first concert (Good Charlotte, hell yeah!) and I immediately fell in love. Andrew and I have been through a lot together over the years, but his music has always been there for me. So it was a blast to take a musical tour through the last decade of my life. Obviously the highlight was when Andrew crowdsurfed to the bar, took a shot, crowdsurfed back to the bar and then finished singing “La La Lie.” The best.

Andrew McMahon prowlin' around on his piano.

And because these concerts apparently just weren’t enough to make me feel 16 again, Fall Out Boy, Paramore and Jimmy Eat World have all released new music this week. I wish I could pretend that I'm going to listen to some cool indie band after this but let's be real. I'm too busy learning all the words to this Fall Out Boy song featuring Elton John so I can belt it out next time I'm alone in the car. My inner teen is in heaven and I’m never growing up.

Favorite Albums of 2011

In no particular order.

2011 was truly a great year for my music collection. A bunch of my favorite bands released new material, and almost all of it actually lived up to my ridiculously high expectations. I also fell in love with some new acts that I stumbled across. Last year, I couldn't even come up with a top ten list; this year, I can't keep it to ten, so I had to expand to twelve. Here they are, along with links to any reviews I wrote earlier.

Incubus - If Not Now, When?: If I had to choose a favorite album of the year, it would probably be this one. So many critics and fans disliked this album, leaving me to wonder if the rest of the world is crazy. This album is just gorgeous. It reawakened my obsession with Incubus and I ended up spending a combined total of approximately four months listening only to their music.
The Airborne Toxic Event - All At Once: I was originally disappointed in this album, but turns out I just needed some time to let it grow on me. TATE has to be one of the most hard-working bands I listen to, and also one of the most fun to see live.
Hard-Fi - Killer Sounds: I dare you to resist busting a move while listening to this.
Florence and the Machine - Ceremonials: I do still find a few songs to be a little boring, but when these songs are good, they are great. Florence Welch is a goddess.
Midnight Youth - World Comes Calling: My only complaint about this album is that it is too short. These songs are so epic and catchy that I simply am not satisfied with only ten.
City and Colour - Little Hell: City and Colour always puts out staggeringly beautiful music, and this latest effort is no exception.
The Black Keys - El Camino: This band blew up for a reason. The album just came out so I'm still getting acquainted with it, but I knew on the first spin that this one would be constantly on repeat.
Jack's Mannequin - People and Things: This album makes me both desperately sad and insanely happy. Damn you Andrew McMahon for manipulating my emotions.
Movits! - Ut Ur Min Skalle (Out Of My Head): If you're looking for a Swedish hip-hop swing jazz band that will make you dance like you're in an old school iPod commercial, Movits! is the band for you.
Foo Fighters - Wasting Light: You know, I never really listened to the Foo Fighters before this year, despite my great admiration for Dave Grohl. So I can't claim to be a loyal fan, but I do love this album.

U.S. Royalty - Mirrors: This was my soundtrack to summer this year.
The Chevin - Champion EP: This band, formerly known as Your Vegas, did not make it easy to get this EP. Thankfully, it was worth the wait.

It's been real, 2011.

People and Things - Jack's Mannequin

The new Jack's Mannequin album will not stop toying with my emotions. One minute, peppy songs like "Release Me" and "Amelia Jean" are making me want to twirl in circles in the sunshine and shout about how beautiful life is. Then suddenly, the slow acoustic "Restless Dream" comes on and I'm fighting the urge to burst into tears at my desk, for no apparent reason. Then again, this is nothing new when it comes to mastermind Andrew McMahon's music, whether it be Jack's Mannequin or Something Corporate. His lyrics are both powerful and vulnerable at the same time; pair that with some piano pop and a few haunting guitar riffs and I'm a goner.

Andrew plots the next way to make me cry.

All of the songs on this album are worthwhile, but a few of my favorites are "Release Me," "Television," "Amelia Jean," "Restless Dream, " and "Casting Lines." (You don't know how hard it was to not just copy and paste the complete track list here). Plus the more I listen to it, the more I like all the songs. There are a lot of bonus tracks floating around as well, and they are just as good as anything on the official release. In fact, "No Man Is An Island," off the deluxe edition, is one of my favorite new Jack's Mannequin songs.

Andrew is a Leukemia survivor, and his determination and appreciation for life shine through every song. So despite making me desperately sad at points, People and Things mostly reminds me that it is good to be alive. Crank up the volume, dance around to this album, and be thankful for what you have (and for the existence Andrew McMahon and Jack's Mannequin, of course.)