Retirement

This blog was an experiment, of sorts, to see if I had the sticktoitiveness to blog regularly and to see if anyone would care about what I have to say. Apparently I can and people do. So I bought a URL and I'm working on focusing my content. My writing-related posts were the most popular, anyway, and as I'm a writer, I think that's a good thing to focus on.

My new site features posts related to publishing, writing, roleplaying, book reviews, short fiction, and ereaders. I have pages for my work as an author, an educator (English, LA), a publisher, and a derby girl.

I have 2 more scheduled posts for this blog-- but after those (November 3rd and the week of Thanksgiving) this blog will be retired. You can find many of my old writing-related posts and all of my forth-coming posts over at my new site, amyleighstrickland.com (no .blogspot there)

HEAD THERE NOW

and don't forget to bookmark it!

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Dear Jack

On this date 2 years ago, the cancer documentary Dear Jack was released. I had the opportunity to see it last year through Netflix and I'm recommending it to everyone now. Cancer is a depressing subject, but Andrew MacMahon's story of his struggle and survival makes Dear Jack one you shouldn't miss.

Netflix: Dear Jack

During my 2004/2005 school year, as a freshman at SCAD, I was excited to hear that the front man of one of my favorite bands was going solo. Weeks before the album's debut, however, Andrew McMahon of Jack's Mannequin, formerly of Something Corporate, was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.

As a movie it has everything-- struggle, romance, an uplifting outcome. Andrew's profession gives the story a poignant soundtrack. As a documentary it is honest and focused. It's only 60 minutes of your life and it's worth the time to give you a better appreciation for Andrew's music and the gift that is your own life and health.

I won't ramble on behind a cut for this one. Watch the trailer below and find it on Netflix or Amazon. It's a beautiful story.

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Expert Advice on Cosplay from Expert Cosplayers

My panel of experts:

Shawn Tuffy (2011 AWA Costume Contest Winner)

Anna Heim (2011 AWA Costume Contest Winner)

Courtney O'Donnell

Amie Peacher

PLANNING: 

Amie) DO YOUR RESEARCH. Always have a budget and a "game plan". Know what you're going to do before you start bidding and buying. It saves you time and money. If you're having trouble with making something, odds are, someone has had that same problem and probably posted it online.

Courtney) Research (most people just believe that just cause they look good they can Cosplay the character WRONGO) heres an example: Squall Lionheart, was one of my dream Cosplays for a while most people said i wouldn't pull it off cause i was 5,6 and they believe he was 6ft, This is where research comes in if you collected the old games and look in the booklet that came with it Squall was actually 5ft 8in. i was a few off but u be surprise what steel toe boots can add on to you height wise. it is also best to know the character as well by reading the manga, watching the anime or playing the video game. If the research is done right and if you still believe you can pull it off follow the next steps

Anna) Don't reinvent the wheel. If there's a specific technique you've never tried, don't brave it blindly. The internet is full of tutorials, videos, and other cosplayers that make an insurmountable task much easier to tackle! Remember: knowledge is power.

Budget tip: While it fills your inbox and mailbox, sign up for coupon mailings and emails from websites. Cosplay can be expensive, so I equip myself with as many discounts as possible. Prepare a list of materials you need, then you can check your mail and email for any coupons or sales that will keep you from selling your kidneys. On a last-minute cosplay, I spent $90 on what should have been a $150 costume (Last minute, as in I grabbed my things and hit the store – still saving $60). You can even google coupons for certain websites and stores in case you aren’t on a mailing list. Don’t pay 100% if you don’t have to!

Shawn) Imagine if the costume was made for real, what would they use and what techniques would they use to make it. Think less costume, and more real. You cant always do this obviously, but when you can, do it. 

Don't be totally constrained to a reference image. Take liberties to make things better without losing the character. This doesnt mean make the costume easier, just better. 

MATERIALS: 

Anna) Don’t just see an item; see its potential. Cosplay goes beyond traditional sewing, so why only use traditional materials? Over the years I’ve used/butchered soda bottles, vending machine casings, children’s football shoulder pads, chains, Christmas ornaments, foam eggs, novelty light-up rings…cosplay is all about creative solutions!

Shawn) Quality materials may cost more, but they save time, are way more durable, and look better. If you plan on wearing your costume more than a few times, make the investment.

Avoid fabric paint at all costs. textile ink/paint that heat sets is a much better option. Always use dye on leather or wood stain on wood when you can. use the natural grain of quality materials to your advantage. 

Notice Christmas ornaments and
a dyed axe handle.

EMERGENCY KITS: 

Amie) EMERGENCY KIT READY! Always be prepared with safety pins, makeup, superglue (pack a kit that has exactly what you got dressed with.) cause trust me, stuff breaks off in crowded areas, makeup wears off, etc. always be prepared! If you are wearing a wig, always have a wig comb on you. especially if it's a long wig; cause no one wants to look like a Miku that just rolled out of bed. 

COMPETTION:

Shawn) Dont keep up with the Jones'... making a character that another has done and done well will not get the response you may want with other or with judges. Do the costumes that you dont see.

Amie)  COMPETITION? GO TALK TO THEM! Always be aware of other people at cons that are dressed the same as you. If you notice that they're slightly better, that they're stuff is staying intact, etc. GO TALK TO THEM! Don't just sit back in jealousy cause you're not the one getting the pictures. Ask them what they did different than you or where they go there wig! 

SOCIALIZATION:

Anna) Treat others as you would like to be treated. Don't you love it when people are courteous and ask about your costume? Try and do the same! When someone asks for your photo, it’s a huge compliment in my book. While most photographers thank Cosplayers for posing, I’ve gotten in the habit of thanking them back! A little good will goes a long way.

Shawn) On Drama-- Keep your mouth shut at all times. Never reply to drama, or say anything negative. If you have an issue with someone or heard a rumor about something, ask the person directly and privately. 

Say hi to people who you like their work or show potential to be good costumers. I met Amy this way, along with a lot of other people that I have done work with. It takes 2 seconds and you can get a great friend out of it!

BODY TYPE:

Courtney) Most Cosplays male and female are successful cause of the body type of the person. Its best to exercise in order to pull of the Cosplay. As for male Cosplayers exercise is a must but not to mention there are some Cosplays that reveal the the chest area it is important to remove any body hair or blemishes that can ruin the costume.

Shawn) Choose characters that fit your age, body type and facial structure. Height isn't as important as most people make it to be, so ignore that. If you want proof of the height thing, I am 5'7 and make a damn impressive Ganon and Auron

THE WHOLE PACKAGE:

Courtney) Getting the face right for the character is a must for cosplay. For example Squall Lionheart's scar is a key feature my friend, Amie Peacher, showed me how to make it look realistic without buying halloween scars. If your character is clean shaved keep clean cut on the face or if there is a character with scruffiness get the trim right.

Always get the hair feature right weather it is a wig or using your natural hair. For example; Sanouske Sagara. I use my real hair by spiking it up aslong as the spikes are not too thick the hair will be successful, as for wigs find and style the wigs that is most accurate to your cosplay subject.

Shawn) Iron your costume before going before judges or doing a legitmate photo shoot. Make is a must - for chicks and dudes - for most characters. 

SELF ESTEEM: 

Shawn) Cosplay for the reason you want to, not for the reasons others define it should be for.

Amie) DON'T WORRY. Don't ever feel self conscious if you know you've tried your best. There's always going to be competition, always going to be the one-up'r, always gonna be the douche bag that critiques EVERYTHING.

Anna) Take pride in your work! It’s not a technical tip, but it’s a very good psychological one. By taking a little extra time on details or adding a little customization to your costume, you’d be amazed at how much more attached and excited you become about your cosplay. For me, it was taking 11 hours to make a wig look just the way I wanted. But it can even be as simple as adding an accessory or prop. Point being, when you have a costume feature you love, it motivates you to finish your costume, it keeps you positive while sewing, your sense of accomplishment will radiate when you wear it, and most likely other people will take notice. 

STANDARDS:

Shawn) Do NOT buy patterns from stores. Learn how to drape/patern from scratch. the first few weeks will suck, but once you get it, its much faster, and easier to create a costume. Build costumes to last. You can wear em more, and they are MUCH easier to sell when you are done with them.  

Anna) There is no shame in shortcuts. While I don't follow this tip for contest entries, I am a firm believer in buying basic garments in stores (like blue jeans) instead of building them. Who cares if you closet cosplay “L” Lawliet? It’s literally what he wears!

Courtney) Most people can make the costumes. I know several who can-- I myself made two cosplays in the past out of old clothes lying around the area-- but for those who can't make costumes it's best to find a cosplay store online with a high reputation and a reasonable price.

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Finished Draft

Tonight, I finished the odes for Olympia Heights: The Weight of the World (Book 2 in the Olympia Heights series). I did an edit as I wrote the odes (the poems in between the chapters) of the 1st draft of the episodes (the chapters), and so draft 1 1/2 is complete.

From there it goes to my primary editor who tells me what works, what doesn't, and makes me cry, suck it up, and fix a lot of things. He also buys me chocolate. Then I make the adjustments and send it on to three more sets of eyes for grammar and punctuation before it comes to the reader!

Pro Tip: Get a tough editor, not someone who will just make you feel good about your writing. Your work will be better if your editor is a hard-@$$

I'm really excited for this book. The cover, featuring Tiffany Britton-Rell was revealed a few weeks back. After Weight of the World is in my editor's hands I will focus on NaNoWriMo! I will not be writing the third Olympia Heights novel for WriMo, but instead working on a separate, one-book novel.

Here are some teasers for Book 2:

• Fights!
• Love scenes
• MORE FIGHTS!
• Less fire
• BEARS!!!!!!!!

If you haven't read Book 1 yet, you can get it for 99¢ until November first on Kindle, Nook, or Kindle Application. BUY IT NOW! Offer Ends Nov 1, 2011

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Halloween Sale

Buy It

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Focus

Hey guys! Over the past few months I've had a lot of fun writing this blog. I started off writing about just about everything because I didn't know what to write about, but I wanted to keep my writing skills sharp. Now it's time to find some focus.

Of course I wasn't able to narrow it down to one singular topic because my life has so many focuses. I'm a teacher, a grad student, a writer, a marketer, a derby girl, a dog lover... it goes on. I do have Nerducation, which is my start-up teaching blog, and that is where the teacher/grad student will live.

This blog was started to work on my writing/marketing and that is where the focus will lay. From now on this short bullet list of vague topics will be the umbrella for all most of my content:

• Books
• Writing
• Publishing
• Acting

Of course, in staring at this list, I realize that these all have one element in common-- story telling. From time to time a book-movie or comic book-movie adaptation with creep in. Also expect off-topic blogs on November 3 and the week of Thanksgiving, as I've got two blog posts saved in the cue for those dates.

I hope that this new focus will give you something a bit more consistent to follow. I'm entering NaNoWriMo now, which is a good time to make this small shift as my blogging time will take priority behind 1,667 words a day.

And speaking of NaNoWriMo, thanks to all who have read my (last) blog in the past 24 hours. It has received a HUGE response. Very encouraging!

Happy writing!

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8 Things to Do BEFORE NaNoWrimo Begins

November is NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) and around the world, writers will be racing their page-a-day calendars to crank out a 50,000 word book by the 30th of November. The goal is to write, write, and write just to get it down on paper. Don't stop. Don't edit. Don't give yourself time for a crisis. You can edit and cut all you want later-- you should have 50,000 words to chop down into whatever genre standards you require.

I will be doing NaNoWriMo (so don't expect 3 blog posts a week!) and my husband will, as well. Here are the 8 steps I will be taking before October is out to ensure that I have 50,000 words and can be declared a winner at the end of November.

PHASE 1: Setting Up Your Story

Nail down the basics as soon as possible. Writing completely stream of consciousness with no plan will only lead you stuck at 300 words and screaming at your computer screen. Do you have a premise you've always thought about doing? A 50,000 word goal is no place to start a free writing exercise where you start at a cafe and see where your character ends up.

Come up with a premise, a basic plot, and your characters before you go any further. They can be shells to start-- "his best friend who is gay" or "the heroine, who gets accused of murder," but the key roles in your story should be figured out.

Write character bios. Memes and surveys are always helpful launching points. Here are two handy character questionnaires.  You need to know the details, that way you don't have to spend time inventing them later and so you can stay consistent. 

Filling out these kinds of in-depth surveys really forms a strong voice in your head. A strong voice will often direct dialogue and plot in places you never thought it could go. You can always change these facts as you write if a better idea/voice comes along.

Get images to represent your characters and settings. You can draw pictures if you are artistically inclined or cast models (I use modelmayhem.com all the time). You may think "But I'm a writer. I don't need pictures" and that may be true. They may not be necessary, but they are useful.

Finding pictures helps you jumpstart from writer's block and it helps you define exactly what you are looking for. I find that it's more helpful to go through pages of models going "too brooding, too weak-chinned, too skinny, too beefy" than to actually have perfect images of my characters ready to go.

This goes for places, too. Finding that apartment might help imagine details and color schemes, but it might also help educate you on how to describe that particular design aesthetic.

This is a research phase. If you are doing a period piece, now would also be the time to gather information to maintain historical accuracy.

Outline. Outline your story from start to finish, hitting on all of the key and connecting events that need to happen to accomplish your plot. Now, even when you are stuck, you will be able to follow your recipe and crank out pages. You'd be surprised; some of the chapters I struggle through the most come out the best in my work. Inspiration is a trick of the unskilled.

PHASE 2: Organizing Your Life For Productivity

Organize your computer to make the files accessible. Create a folder on your desktop where all of the chapters and research are kept. You can sort these in your library later, but trust me. The more different folders your resources are kept in and the more deeper-nested they are, the more excuses you will find to procrastinate. Put them on your desktop so you can't possibly forget them. If you run a mac, consider putting that folder in your dashboard!

Set up your social networks to reward productivity and drive progress through peer pressure.  Before you start, announce to the whole world exactly what you plan to do. Explain NaNoWriMo to your mom. Post it on your Facebook. Tweet about it with the appropriate #hashtag (#nanowrimo). Now the pressure is on. Now you can't quit so easily. If you're making excuses not to tell people about it before you even start, maybe NaNoWriMo isn't for you.

Bookmark the NaNoWriMo site and be sure to update your progress. As you work you can tweet about your word count. These tweets and Facebook statuses will become your pat on the back and good friends who show interest will encourage you.

Automate nagging yourself.  Set up alerts and alarms all over the place to remind you to write. Make a daily alarm on your phone, a weekly alert on iCalendar, and don't turn them off. The more you nag yourself, the less you'll procrastinate or "forget."

Do the math.  I know! If you liked math, you wouldn't be a writer! Good thing I do some of the math here for you! Figure out exactly how many words a day add up to 50,000 words (1,666 ⅔). Now get ahead! Set a goal above that number, or split it up if you know you have a conflict that is going to eat your writing time. Have too many classes on Mondays? Write 300 words to stay sharp and set your goal at 1,877 words the other days. Set your goal at 2,000 words a day and take one a week off. However you do it, make sure you are clear any given day of the month how many words you should be up to so that you know when you are falling behind.

HINT: If you set the goal at 2,000 words a day, you'll be done in 25 days and have 5 days to watch Dr. Who reruns on Streaming Netflix while all of your other friends are trying to make up 15,000 words in less than a week.

Happy Writing! Follow me @Nimbuschick for my #NaNoWrimo Updates.

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Recent Deviations

I did not major in painting or illustration or graphic design. I majored in Performing Arts. So while I have an education in the fine art foundations and have learned greatly about design and color theory, being able to draw is kind of a bonus.


For a while after SCAD, I didn't draw at all. Because I teach preschool and constantly draw for kids at Art Center and for teachers (to decorate their doors) I've started drawing more. So here are 4 of my recent, more popular Deviations on DeviantArt.


1. The Elder Wand


The first of 3 drawings in my Tale of the Three Brothers series. This was done with a pencil drawing, inked with Medium Point Sharpie Pen and coloured with watercolour pencils. The black background was added in photoshop.

This is the first brother with the Elder Wand and Death looming as he casts a curse.

I will be printing these as decals.

Find full resolution here.

2. Owl Kill You


Athena as a Derby Girl. In a way it's fan art for Olympia Heights.

Favorite it here.

3. Casting

Photo by ~Stillreflection. Cosplay by myself (the weapons, earrings, and pauldrons in this pic) and Anna Heim (~Christadaelia). Of course you can't see the earrings OR the Pauldrons, or Rydia's whip in this pic. I made the hair piece in my wig and the mace. All the sewing and the fabulous green wig dye-job are Anna's master work.

These costumes won Best Interpretation at AWA 2011 along with the other 2 in our group. Kain and Edge, seen elsewhere in my gallery, are a lot more of my handiwork.

Some quick casting effects for our hot magician girls.

Favorite it here.

4. Comfort

I was browsing DA and feeling sad that there was a lack of George/Angelina fan art, so I made some. It's a loose digital drawing in a moment that I imagine happened as they mourned Fred together. 

George is dressed for work and his ear is wonkey because that's the ear Snape got. Angelina's shirt was meant to be a Montrose Magpies ringer T, but in the lighting effects it slowly turned more blue than gray.

This took about an hour and I modeled the gesture on a Prison Break still.

Full resolution found here.

NOTE: This Deviation is very new and by far my most popular.

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Your Modeling Profile Sucks (Here's How to Fix It)

A few months back I had the pleasure of casting a model for the cover of my 2nd book. I found Tiffany Britton Rell on modelmayhem.com. Sometimes I go there to find images of people to inspire characters. Back in my text-based RPG days, I mined that site for unusual Played-Bys.

I noticed a few things that drove me crazy when I was on my hunt for a young blonde with light eyes and a certain look. So many people had bad or misleading profile images or a collection of photos that cast them as a type automatically. Don't get me wrong, a type is not bad, but if you're at all open to trying to work outside of that type, you need to be careful.

Tiffany had a great portfolio and a really great profile image. I have some experience modeling, more experience acting, and I have the added perspective of someone who has given paid work to a model found on one of these sites. So today's blog is about just that-- how to set your portfolio and profile up to get paid work off of these sites.

1. Your profile image should be a clear shot of you and your face.
You might LOVE that picture you had taken of yourself dressed as Harley Quinn, you might think that a tantalizing shot of your pecs will draw people in, but when someone has a specific look in mind and they are sorting through 940 profiles, they don't have time to click on every portfolio to see what else they are missing.

Your portfolio can contain artistic images, over-the-shoulder shots, profiles, and extreme close-ups. Your avatar should not be any of those things. Make sure that it is current to your look, not a really nice photo of what you looked like three years ago when you had short hair. Your avatar should give a casting director and instant, clear picture of what YOU look like. Period.

2. Have someone else take pictures of you with a decent camera.
Don't have a decent camera? Get images taken outside in daylight to compensate for poor lighting. Refrain from using "the angles" in a shot you took of yourself. If you can't get anyone to take your picture for you, why would a casting director or photographer want to take your picture?

3. Don't type-cast yourself unless you want to be typecast.
If every photo in your portfolio is an image of you bent over a car in a bikini, that is likely all you will be cast to do. That might make for a lucrative career, but don't be upset if you can't get artistic or high fashion work if your portfolio only shows one thing.

It's like a job interview-- dress for the job you want to get. If you have a portfolio full of vampire role-play images, you will be limited to castings on covers of horror novels. If you are only photographed in sun dresses in a field, you will be cast as sweet girls and never get edgier parts.

A simple photo in a black or white t-shirt is always a good standard for a portfolio. If you have sexy pictures, make sure you have something more conservative so that casting directors don't pigeon hole you as a sexual person.

Variety and simplicity are key. Let the creative people imagine you in the roles they want to fill instead of forcing them to see one extreme.

4. Be active in your photos.
Charisma is far more valuable than conventional beauty. Make sure that you are thinking and relaxed. If you are smiling, don't hold it so long that it looks strained. If your eyes are glazing over, close them and open them right before the shot. Breathe and think and you will become so much more interesting on camera.


5. Select your username wisely.
Putting your age in your username limits your profile to one year of activity. Likewise, putting something like "Vampiress"will type cast you and make you seem unprofessional. This is not an AIM Screen Name. If you want to be taken professionally, be professional. Some form of your name is usually the best bet.

What the following usernames say about a person:

19yearoldboi- Plans to drop out after one year?

nymphomama- Afraid to do porn

koolguy9119- Douche

vampiress- Only wants to do gothic shoots

6. Plan your profile, don't just type.
The profile blurb is basically your resume. It's good to show a little personality, but it's best to be concise and hit upon major hiring points. Hobbies are good in a list because someone might be inclined to cast you based on the fact that you actually play guitar, soccer, or roller derby. Experience is helpful and a list of desired photoshoots might entice a photographer to get a passionate model in front of his lens. It might also give someone ideas.

Lists are a great way to keep things concise and easy to read.


7. Supply as many details as possible.
Measurements, ethnicity, hair color, eye color, etc. should all be filled out HONESTLY. This will help you be found in an advance search like the Browse feature on Model Mayhem. If you have dyed black hair, don't list yourself as a redhead.

Sometimes advanced searches will exclude you if information is missing. If I look for a 23-26 year old brunette with blue eyes, and you don't list eye color, even if you fit that bill, I won't see your images! Fill it all out. Even your weight, ladies.

Also, pink and Kool-aid red hair are not "Red" hair in the sense that anyone would search. Those are "Other."

And I can tell by looking at your picture that you're lying. Don't say you're 190lbs of muscle when you clearly weigh 125. Don't tell me you're 33 if you look 43. Models are cast for what they look like, not the lies they tell.


8. Be clear about your comfort zones.
If you do not want to do nudity, state it clearly in your profile. Also, a great tip I got from Tiffany, if you are not comfortable meeting a stranger at their home studio alone (which you shouldn't be, be smart) you should state that you always bring an escort.


9. Be honest about your age and act appropriately.
Like I said before, if you are 43, do not lie and claim to be younger. Photographers will see, from your photos, how old you really look. If you show up for the photoshoot and you look ten years older because your images are all outdated, the photographer will be mad and it might hurt your reputation.

TEENAGERS-- please do not do overtly sexual images until you are 18. You do not understand how uncomfortable it makes someone over 21 to see a sixteen-year-old girl in a tube top licking a gun. Normal people don't want to cast real teenagers for sexual parts and you don't want those images on the internet in five years if you decide to do something besides model, tend bar, or strip.


10. Be honest. (Period.)
Don't lie. It will always come to light.

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Jumping the Shark: Bio 100

Thursday we went out to a swamp for Bio 100. I have to take the course as a prerequisite because SCAD never had me take science for my Bachelor's. So, I have to take biology with college freshmen for my Graduate Studies. My Professor gave us a simple assignment-- write a paragraph. That's it. It doesn't have to be about science, it's just about observations.

I might have overdone it when I put the poem into the shape of a beaver (the predominate wildlife species at the Ebenezer Swamp). Here it is. My husband suggested I post this.

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Music Review: My New Favorite Song About a Girl Named Amy

♫ She sees a black cat hanging 'round my doorstep/ I'll need all day tomorrow to recover from today... ♫


My first experience with the music of Andrew McMahon was from the wall of televisions at the back of the Target Electronics Department. I was 17, it was 2003, and As You Sleep from Something Corporate's Album "North" was playing in the loop. I bought the CD and immediately had to backtrack to the previous 2 studio albums, 3 extended plays, and countless other singles and compilations. "North" was the last album by Something Corporate, Andrew McMahon's successful high school band. 


In 2004, while I was in my freshmen dorm room, a friend IMed me to inform me that SoCo was officially over and that Andrew was forming a new solo project, Jack's Mannequin. JM debuted 2 singles for fans to promote and I was hooked. Andrew's upbeat piano and expressive vocals had me pimping the band wherever I could. There was a slight departure of the emotional, adolescent themes of Something Corporate, but the lyrics still verged on immaturity. That was fine as I was 19 and still happy watching The OC. But something happened before the launch that changed Andrew McMahon's music forever.


Andrew McMahon was diagnosed with Lymphatic Leukemia. The documentary, Dear Jack follows Andrew's terrifying struggle with cancer. His very near death and miraculous recovery changed everything. Dear Jack features video of Andrew, almost skin and bones and looking like death, singing with a weakened voice, but his hands still find the piano keys with grace. Andrew's Christmas single, Lights and Buzz, followed his recovery and expressed the sentiment of joy at being alive for another holiday.


"The Glass Passenger" was the next album and it was beautiful. My husband, who prefers metal and gothic synth-pop, was thoroughly impressed with Crashin. My personal favorite was Hammers & Strings. There was the unfortunate unintentional comedy of Orphan, but overall the album was a win.


So when I found out that there was a new album due October 4th, I pre-ordered it on Amazon. It came Monday afternoon in the mail and I leaped to my car to shove it in the CD player and drive.


SCORE: 4.5/5 ★  Read the Breakdown Blow the Jump

♫1) My Racing Thoughts ★★★★☆
The first track starts with a classic, upbeat Andrew Piano tune. It's everything you would expect lyrically and musically from a Jack's Mannequin tune. 

---

♫2) Release Me ★★★★☆
Like American Love off "The Glass Passenger", Release Me is a bit more rock and roll with a slight 80's feel to the guitar. It's another musically strong, lyrically strong track. At this point in the album I was glad to have more JM music, but not thoroughly impressed, because I like to see evolution from the artists I listen to.

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♫3) Television ★★★★★
This was where I started to see a change. Previous lyrics by Andrew McMahon have seemed cynical about faith. Last Straw especially, implied that God was a convention of human sociology. Lyrically, in Television, I saw a shift towards a more spiritual side. It may still be uncertain, but at least the attitude is positive and humble.


Vocally, Television shows that Andrew McMahon has become more comfortable with his voice. His vocals do not loose the expression, but his belts become richer and more confident.

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♫4) Amy, I  ★★★★★
Amy, I is, hands down, my new favorite song about a girl named Amy. It has some decent competition with Elton John, Switchfoot, Pure Prairie League, and if you go with alternate spellings, Damien Rice in the running. Not only is Amy, I a great song musically, the lyrics have a special meaning to me. It's not just because my name is Amy.


Amy, I tells the story of a man who is living in a climate much colder than his usual, to be with a girl he loves. He's associating the bitter cold with the memories of new love. It's worth it to be there "trying to fight this freeze."


My now husband spent a year in Massachusetts during the winter with the epic ice storm that took out power across New England for days (in some places, weeks). We were engaged and he was looking for work up north. He eventually found a job in Alabama and we spent nearly a year long-distance before our wedding. With that context, it might be understandable why I cried when I heard this song.


The guy in this video even looks like Kyle with the glasses. :)

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♫5) Hey, Hey, Hey (We're All Gonna Die) ★★★★☆
Great title, right? After his near death and the brutally honest mortality of "The Glass Passenger", I had no doubt that this song would have autobiographical qualities. Indeed, this song is about his journey through his solo career and his struggle for survival. Andrew beautiful describes his diagnosis with this poetic lyric.


The label looked proud/ the New York show sold out/ but I noticed a change in the weather// it's getting cold/ could you hand me my sweater?


This song, in conjunction with "The Glass Passenger" tells a story. "The Glass Passenger" is filled with fear, fragility, and mortality. Hey, Hey, Hey (We're All Gonna Die) shows an acceptance of that fact. We are all gonna die, so we need to live.


Plus, the music video has ROLLER DERBY, and I'm a Derby Girl.

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♫6) People, Running ★★★★☆
People, Running continues that story. We're All Gonna Die. That fact has been accepted. But let's not think too much about it, this song says. You can't dwell on the meaning of life and death if you are going to live your life.


We are only chemical and skin/ barely strapped in for this air-conditioned ride/ we are tired of waiting/ still we stand in line


We are just these people running around/ and I am in no hurry to figure it out


It's upbeat and well-written. The drums are really solid in this song.

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♫7) Amelia Jean ★★★★★
Amelia Jean is another song that shows Andrew's new-found vocal comfort. It's also one of the first where he relies heavily on background vocals to create his music. There are hints of it in other songs, but for the first time in my memory, he really uses vocal harmony to add to the song.


Amelia Jean moves on to another personal theme. Andrew McMahon married after his recovery from cancer. He's also a touring musician, so it's not hard to imagine that this song is close to his heart. Amelia Jean is about traveling and being constantly away from the one you love. 


It's a wonderful, beautiful song. It's one of my favorites to sing along with when he belts, too.

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♫8) Platform Fire ★★★★☆
This song is has some of the richest piano on the album. As an artist in a family of supportive artists, this song also carries a very touching sentiment. You don't talk me down/ you're talking me through.

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♫9) Hostage ★★★☆☆
Hostage is a fun song, but overall I'd say it doesn't stand out against the rest of the tracks on this album. Don't get me wrong, it's a great song, but when this album isn't so new to me I'm eager to hear Amy, I again, I might press next.

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♫10) Restless Dream ★★★★★
A sleepy, sincere song, Restless Dream comes back to the theme of being away from the one you love. Andrew McMahon is a piano player, but this song is predominantly acoustic guitar. Other stringed instruments work their way in after two minutes and I'm pretty sure I hear some woodwinds as well, but the piano, if there at all, is incredibly subtle.


It's a perfect melody to showcase the unrivaled emotional expression from Andrew McMahon's vocals.


It's funny how the words we never say/ can turn into the only thoughts we know

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♫11) Casting Lines ★★★★☆
There is a quality I cannot quite pinpoint about Casting Lines that reminds me of the great piano pop men-- Elton John, Billy Joel, etc.  On the regular album, this is the last track. It's a perfect wrap-up for an album, a song about coming home.

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BONUS TRACKS (iTunes only)


No Man Is an Island ★★★★★
Ten Days Gone ★★★☆☆
Dancing With a Gun ★★★★☆
Broken Bird ★★★☆☆

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