Better By Nightfall

Inspired by such theme albums as The Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds, Everything in Transit weaves an autobiographical tale reflected in the storybook written into its liner notes. It begins with the laid-back, bohemian California mood of “Holiday from Real,” with McMahon coming home and feeling like a visitor in his own world. “The Mixed Tape” offers bursts of punk-flavored riffs along with lyrics such as “I read your letter, the one you left when you broke into my house... where are you now?”, segueing into the wistful “Lonely for Her.” The album’s emotional duality is shown in the hopeful and upbeat “I’m Ready,” followed by the sullen “Kill the Messenger.”

McMahon’s tribute to The Beach Boys is best heard on the sad-yet-sunny “Miss Delaney,” an electronica-flavored pop nugget with a synthesized theremin reminiscent of “Good Vibrations.” The disco flagellation of “Bruised” tumbles “Into the Airwaves,” McMahon’s otherworldly tenor drawing a fatalistic analogy: “I am slipping through, I am slipping into the airwaves / You are slipping through my fingers and into the airwaves.” Everything in Transit eases into acceptance with its final triptych of songs: the ballad “Rescued,” McMahon’s examination of his place in the world in “Made for Each Other,” and its denouement “You Can Breathe.”

It's albums like this, especially since I've been able to sample some of the songs, that I absolutely cherish. Soon enough, I will own a copy. I only wish I could see Jack's Mannequin in concert...