There is a void in pop music these days - one filled
with a plethora of
vacuous songs riddled with anger and sexual come-ons.
For that reason,songwriters that speak from the heart
and with literary poise are needed and that's where
Mason Jennings comes in.
Jennings' third album, Century Spring
(Architect Records), purposefully aims for the hearts
and minds of music lovers, connecting with its finely
nuanced pop-rock and poignant and vivid lyrics. "I
wanted Century Spring to feel very natural and honest,"
he says. "I think of the album as a single love
story and I tried to cover the gamut of the different
ways that love can make you feel." What also sets
Jennings apart from others is his unique voice - an
ancient sounding instrument that seems as if he's channeling
some
of music's most storied ghosts.
As is typical of most visionary artists,
Jennings has opted to cut his own swath rather than
follow anyone else's lead. "The great thing about
doing it yourself is that you can take the time you
need to develop as a person and artist, and to try new
ideas as they occur naturally, rather than having to
conform to someone else's ideas or schedule," Jennings
says. To his credit, Jennings never lost focus and has
written nearly 300 songs and tours constantly with his
band. It didn't take long for others to become drawn
to Jennings - he's sold nearly 30,000 copies of his
first two albums from the stage and the back of his
van. And the praise Jennings has received extends beyond
his fan base: The New York Times hailed him as a songwriter
to watch, Noah Adams featured Jennings on his show,
"All Things Considered," the St. Paul Pioneer
Press dubbed him a "voice of a generation,"
and Jack Johnson handpicked Jennings to open his tour.
Finding his hard-won successes sweet, Jennings has chosen
to continue cutting his own path, and formed Architect
Records to release Century Spring.
Century Spring also shows the constant
evolution that Jennings is undergoing as a songwriter.
He left behind the politics and social commentary that
marked his sophomore effort, Birds Flying Away, and
the spare acoustic songs that comprise his self-titled
debut. Instead, Century Spring hones in on the matters
of the heart, celebrating life, love and friendship
with a lyrical astuteness that eludes most other songwriters.
"I'm constantly trying to write the perfect love
song," Jennings says. "I'm so tired of all
the overuse of irony in pop culture and the music business
today. I believe in honesty and beauty - that is what
I am striving for in my music, not a punch line."
The literary flair and heartfelt tone
of Century Spring brings Jennings
closer than ever to meeting his goal of penning the
perfect love song. The title track is a charming pop
song extolling true love while "Sorry Signs on
Cash Machines" brings you front-and-center to the
love affair, winding its way to the heart with a beautiful
Beatles-like melody and breathtaking lyrical snapshots
of a love affair. "Living in the Moment,"
is a joyously simple ode to living in the here-and-now
and celebrates the strength of friendship while "New
York City" uses the city's inner-strength and beauty
as a metaphor for following your heart.
Jennings isn't afraid to shy away from
bad love or sadness, whether he's bidding farewell to
loved ones in "Adrian" and "Dewey Dell"
or braying with a vengeful tone on "Bullet,"
slashing and burning his way through the ashes of a
burned-out love affair with rapid-fire, tongue-twisting
rhymes. Through it all, Century Spring not only
highlights Jennings' remarkable songwriting and singing
skills but also shows that the void in pop music that
is filled with empty emotions and false sentiments just
got a little smaller.
MASON JENNINGS DISCOGRAPHY:
Century Spring (2002)
Birds Flying Away (2000)
Mason Jennings (1998)
For more information, contact:
Ken Weinstein
Big Hassle Media
212-366-4492
ken@bighassle.com
www.masonjennings.com
