Jason Mraz Mr. A-Z. Release Date : July 26, 2005. Label: Elektra. Rating: Genuine. (Screw points. To each his own!) Why do I like Jason Mraz? This sappy singer-songwriter stuff usually makes me nauseous before too long, but there's something edgier about Mraz. Maybe it's his rich rich arrangements, his real, simple voice that nonetheless cracks perfectly to keep it interesting and unique... yes the songs generate images of videos of a guy singing alone in the middle of a raging teenage house party, and yes the songs are prime fodder for movies. He's got this trip-over-himself nearly-reggae thing that comes out in "Wordplay." This song is... a bit cornball. But you know, to those who are into this music, it's probably the greatest thing on earth. But if you play it alongside the Wizard Of Oz song, it'd probably be similar. "Geek In The Pink" is treading dangerously into Maroon 5 territory.It's like r+b lite. Hip Hop for kids who are whiter than Justin Timberlake. I totally love the jazzy piano action in "Did You Get My Message?" - but on the whole this thing is a lot more top forty trendy pop than I remember this guy being. I think I heard an unplugged album or something before. What a husky chick in this song though. And dammit I am grooving my head along with it without even realizing it. Opera?? What is this album? "Clockwatching" is terribly reminscent of the glory days of Wide Mouth Mason. No one said this guy didn't have a knack for wooing the ladies. The romantic bossa-nova, cabana nights style of "Bella Luna" is a surefire way to get Mraz laid. And I definitely want to do up some ballroom dancing with this. So yeah - on and off. Some of this is too unabashedly poppy, but it's rich and interesting and diverse. I'd say this is way more good than lame. Song of choice : The soft seduction of "Plane" is beautifully relaxing. Strings versus "baby, hell yeah."If the plane goes down I'll remember where the love was found. -Andy Scheffler Elsewhere Jason Mraz website Published : January, 2007.