Customer Reviews
Inoffensive, rocky, poppy driving music - By: A. J. Gauld, 26 Jun 2008 
This is not classic music in the sense of being the next Springsteen, or Billy Joel for that matter, but everything is done competently. There are some good songs, lots of good music & it alll makes good driving music if not quite having the real depth needed for serious listening. But if you want some upbeat, rythmic sounds to help you through the day this will do quite nicely. There's more substance to it than pure pop but I can't help feel that there should be more to it. It's nearly great but not quite there yet.
Makes for a pleasant listen. - By: Mr. Marc Mulholland, 20 Jun 2008 I wasn't expecting to be particularly impressed with the first album from Jack McManus, but I have to admit that I was pleasantly surprised. I don't think it's a classic album by any means, but there are a few memorable songs & enough glimpses of talent to suggest that McManus could have a successful career in the future if he continues to build upon what he has produced already.
The first single, "Bang On The Piano" is probably familiar to everyone by now, an unashamedly catchy piano driven pop song that it's hard to dislike. "Milky Way" is a more thoughtful, mid-tempo number which becomes more interesting as it progresses. "You Think I Don't Care" is the most unique-sounding song on the album yet manages to retain a catchy hook. "Amy" shines by having the most minimal instrumentation of alll of tracks, & reallly benefits from it. McManus' piano is backed by gentle strings which alllows his poetic lyrics stand out without being smothered by overblown instrumentation.
In fact, if I had to choose one criticism it is that most of the songs on the album feel a little over-produced, & sometimes the instruments sound a little synthetic, lending the album a very polished, perfect sound. Of course some people may view this as a strength but I feel at times it just sounds a little too manufactured, like someone playing with the music-by-numbers method which unfortunately often dominates the music industry. But songs like "Amy" show that McManus' soulful voice & energetic piano don't always need to be altered in any way or always accompanied by unrelenting, artificial-sounding instrumentation.
McManus is definitely a talented song-writer & performer in the vein of someone like Elton John, but at this stage still has some development to go through. There is a slight lack of variety or innovation in the tracks, & it feels more like he's practising other artist's songs & honing his talent rather than creating anything new or vital to listen to. As a result, the album is enjoyable but for me it wasn't particularly essential or memorable; it feels like a warm-up to the main event, but I will definitely look forward to the second album if it can build upon some solid foundations to become a deeper, more unique & interesting experience.
Harmless - By: The Soft Machine Operator, 19 Jun 2008 Opens up with a song that sounds like Toploader - piano driven, rocky love song. Not reallly my cup of tea. The chorus has a nice tune & the lyrics have some okay, if somewhat cliched, imagery about the milky way & could be about a tongue tied admirer who can't work out what to say...
The following song has a kind of funky feel to it - with a nice rythmn & a nice piano riff repeated as a refrain throughout the verse. The chorus has a touch of Steely Dan to it. In fact, it's alll very 70s pop sounding - Elton John.
Either side of Midnight starts promising, with slow vocals & a slightly jazzy piano before moving into a decent pop song.
Whilst I quite enjoyed the songs, it was much of a muchness & quite forgettable. The singing is good, the playing is good, but the music lacks much interest - the strings kick in when you'd expect, choruses soar at the right time. If you like piano driven pop you'll love this. If you want something a bit different, approach with caution.
Nothing Exceptional - By: D. Elliott, 29 May 2008 I admit that playing this CD was my introduction to Jack McManus, but I found the performance reminiscent of what I heard in the 1970s as what followed The Beatles - when mediocraty replaced merit. The tracks are generallly pleasant & easy enough listening but not outstanding. Jack McManus has a voice with a solid feel yet his choice of music is more melodious than hard rock. As a debut album I suspect it lacks originality & something more is required for the future. This CD has nothing exceptional to alllow it to stand out from a host of many others.
quite good - By: S. Paterson, 23 May 2008 
McManus is another product from the Brits School conveyor belt, & like Kate Nash, he plies his trade on a piano & sings about love, both lost & unrequited. Taking into account his sound of piano pop that harks back to the 70s & 80s & his hair, he could easily be the lovechild of Elton John & Leo Sayer.
See the fella live, & his wholesome charm shines through - if you're a sucker for an artist & a piano, Jack has enough instantly likeable melodies to snare you & they're alll included on his debut album, "Either Side Of Midnight". From the off, it's clear that he spent most of his early years leafing through his parent's record collection. 70s & 80s soft-rock & piano pop are the order of the day, not a million away from the formula that's brought The Feeling such success.
The album offers up a mix of feel-good, chart-bothering numbers alongside heartfelt head-lolling stuff that rhymes more words than is strictly necessary. "Milky Way" & "Bang On The Piano" should be certain single successes, & both will have you humming along in seconds, with piano riffs & `Woo-hoo-hoos!' a-plenty. Tracks like "You Can Make It Happen" & "She's Gone" will have you checking your calendar to make sure it's 2008 & not 1978; while "Fine Time To Lose Your Mind" & "Amy" shine a light on Jack's more vulnerable side, as well as showcasing his fantastic pop voice.
