Mr. A-Z | 
| Artist: Jason Mraz
Label: Elektra / Wea
Category: Music
List Price: $18.98
Buy New: $9.33
You Save: $9.65 (51%)
New (43) Used (19) Collectible (1) from $8.54
Rating:  161 reviews
Sales Rank: 794
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
MPN: 83833
UPC: 075678383328
EAN: 0075678383328
ASIN: B0009WJ3HU
Release Date: July 26, 2005
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Tracks:
| • | Life is Wonderful | | • | Wordplay | | • | Geek in the Pink | | • | Did You Get My Message? | | • | Mr. Curiosity | | • | Clockwatching | | • | Bella Luna | | • | Plane | | • | O. Lover | | • | Please Don't Tell Her | | • | Forecast | | • | Song For a Friend |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
Jason Mraz's breakthrough 2002 hit, "The Remedy (I Won't Worry)" established him as a funnier, funkier version of John Mayer, custom-built for The O.C. set. On Mr. A-Z, the Virginia singer-songwriter continues mixing up folk melodies and hip-hop beats. He also keeps making heroic stabs at humor that would have gone down like a storm in his coffeehouse days but typically backfire on record. Fortunately, producer Steve Lillywhite (U2, Dave Matthews Band, Peter Gabriel) is on hand to clean things up, giving even the most bumbling lyrical experiments, such as "Wordplay" and "Geek in the Pink," at least the illusion of a newfound maturity. --Aidin Vaziri
Album Description
Jason Mraz presents his latest offering and his second studio album-Mr. A-Z. Produced by the legendary Steve Lillywhite (U2, Rolling Stones, Dave Matthews Band, Peter Gabriel, Talking Heads, et al) at Allaire Studios near Woodstock, NY, Mr. A-Z is Mraz's most inspired and thoughtful record to date.
Album Description
Japanese pressing of 2005 album with the bonus track 'Prettiest Friend' (Demo) & DVD (NTSC/Region 2). Atalntic. *Please note you will need an All Code DVD player to view. 2006.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 156 more reviews...
 Broadens His Horizons While Maintaining His Unmistakable Identity July 26, 2005
Rudy Palma (NJ)
132 out of 143 found this review helpful
With his second studio album, the humorously titled "Mr. A-Z," Jason Mraz has delivered a fine collection of tunes that will solidify his popularity with his dedicated fanbase, yet manages to broaden his horizons in terms of song arrangements and subject matter.
The pensive "Life Is Beautiful" is the opening track, where Mraz makes a series of commonsense observations about life that nevertheless challenges listeners to think outside the box. Lead single "Wordplay," however, immediately follows, injecting the disc with a shot of levity.
"It's all about the wordplay/Ah la la la love/The wonderful thing it does because/Because I am the wizard of ooh's and ah's and fa la la's/Yeah the Mr. A-Z/They say I'm all about the Wordplay."
Despite his astute sense of humor, Mraz does not obscure the fact that he is most definitely a singer/songwriter in the classic 70's sense. Fine examples are the "Plane", an extremely intense selection where he proclaims from high above the ground that, should he come crashing down that he will "remember where the love was found," while in "Bella Luna" he softly croons of the mysterious allure of the moon, creating a relaxing, romantic atmosphere with his witty observations.
"Please Don't Tell Her," which reflects the conflicting emotions of looking back on someone fondly despite the intense pain they brought your life, finds him repeating at the song's end "I don't" in response to the idea that he might still care about an ex-flame, although the listener is clearly meant to question his confidence in that declaration. Other tracks, such as the completely enrapturing fare of "Forecast" and "O. Lover," which will grip listeners tightly with its frantic vocal performance, explore similar themes.
Mraz also explores the art of self-loathing in "Mr. Curiosity," pokes fun at the communication barrier between men and women with the assistance of Rachel Yamagata in "Did You Get My Message," and proudly owns who he is with no apologies in the radio-bound "Geek In the Pink," affirming "you might regret what you let slip away like the geek in the pink."
Furthermore, "Clockwatching" is an inspiring track about coming of age with the one you love at your side, as well as learning what it is to live in the present, rather than anticipation of what has yet to come, while the spine-tingling "Song For a Friend," doubtless inspired by his father, closes the album with his most impassioned performance and an uplifting message.
"All the thing's that I've read, what he wrote me/Is now sounding like the man I was hoping to be/I keep on keeping it real/Cause it keeps getting easier indeed/He's the reason that I'm laughing/Even if there's no one else/He said, `you've got to love yourself'."
Although it is much different than his debut in many ways, "Mr. A-Z" does not at all suffer. Rather, the album indicates that Mraz has undergone major growth as both a songwriter and song stylist, and that his talent is far reaching and will continue to entertain and astound for the duration of what is sure to be a long, rewarding career.
Alpha - Omega and everything in between July 31, 2005
Amanda Richards (Georgetown, Guyana)
40 out of 44 found this review helpful
It's been a long time coming, but Jason Mraz doesn't disappoint in this follow up to 2002's "Waiting For My Rocket to Come". A little mellower, a little more introspective, and a lot more polished, this is a great album for easy listening and relaxing.
First single "Wordplay" from this Mechanicsville VA native picks up where "Rocket" left off, with clever lyrics, a versatile range of notes and a catchy chorus that will stick in your head.
"The wonderful thing it does because
Because I am the wizard of ooh's and ah's and fa la la's
Yeah the Mr. A-Z
They say I'm all about the Wordplay"
Another clever track is "Geek in the Pink" which is almost pop-hop lyrics-wise, and one of my favorites. The chorus of "Did You Get My Message" brings up some ELO memories, but this album is all about Mraz from alpha to omega, as he puts it, hence the title Mr. A-Z.
More great tracks are "Clockwatching", the lead off ballad "Life is Wonderful", and "Mr. Curiosity" with its standout piano work. The retro "Bella Luna" showcases Mraz's acoustic guitar work, and "O Lover" drifts to the Latin side. "Please Don't Tell Her" has one of the best opening riffs on the album, and there isn't a bad song on the album.
Grading alphabetically, this one's an A.
Amanda Richards, July 31, 2005
Mr. Absolutely Terrific!! July 27, 2005
jackie (queens, new york)
11 out of 14 found this review helpful
I have been a huge Mraz fan since way before he blew up. I have been following his unreleased stuff (which by the way you can buy thru one of his websites). I have seen 3 amazing live performances of his and I must say I love this album. For those who do not love Mraz, that's fine, but you're missing the beauty of his work. Wordplay was funny - he knew what he was doing, a catchy first single to get people hooked. It's a fun song and he just had a lot of fun with it!! If you read some of his lyrics, or knew the stories behind many of his songs (which at the shows he likes to interact with his audience and explain why some songs we written) you could too truly appreciate how great this album is. I must say the only song I am not a huge fan of is Bella Luna. His voice is just phenomenal... Robert Plant made a comment on an interview that "Jason Mraz has the best natural singing voice he has ever heard." ROBERT PLANT!! A legend!! Even if you feel the need to rip on his lyrics at least appreciate his musical talent.
My favorite songs on here are Please Don't Tell Her, Song For a Friend, O Lover, and Life is Wonderful.
Take a listen people... if you're into this kind of music I really think you'll like it. You can listen to the entire album before you buy it on VH1's website too.
Simply Amazing July 27, 2005
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10 out of 12 found this review helpful
I'm going to keep this short, mainly because I know people are sick of reading those nauseatingly long messages. How Mraz mixed up the sounds in this album make it enticing to any type of music fan: for romantics, Bella Luna is there for you. Into Pop? Try Wordplay. Bottom line: buy this CD. It's a fantastic compilation of Mraz's best efforts.
Are You Kidding Me??? August 4, 2005
Kendrick H. Folsom
10 out of 12 found this review helpful
Well,
I have read most reviews on this page and frankly have been dissapointed with most people. I know everybody has a right to his/her own opinion, but come on! Am I even listening to the same album as everyone else? Are we supposed to psycho analize this album like it's some 60 minute prog rock concept piece? This is not Mozart! This is MRAZ!!! To say he is arrogant because of the mock on the industry playfullness of the song Wordplay is absurd! It is satire people! Jeez... This ENTIRE album does nothing less than show how much Jason has grown over the years and displays his many different styles eloquently. If you wanted another "Waiting for my Rocket" then you should have bought another copy, becuase artists are supposed to grow, they are not supposed to make carbon copy cutouts of their last album. I have been listening to jason Mraz since 1999, with the earliest bootlegs of his concerts. I am happy with all his stages of development and am dissapointed with all the people who think he should stay limited to the "curbside prophet"... I aplaud Jason for taking chances on this album and hope he becomes huge because of it. Oh, and by the way...For the few ignorant people who think the opera is Steve Lillywites idea...You know NOTHING of Jason Mraz! Go see a show and shut your mouth! Thre are no one hit wonders on this album, because the entire album is a hit. Peace!
By the way...Song for a friend is AMAZING! What a way to close an album...
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