Tilt At The Wind No More by Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness

By Phil Hawkins

Throughout the course of the past twenty years Andrew McMahon has experienced musical rebirth several times successfully and has ended up on the other side stronger than before.

From his time spent as the co-founder of Something Corporate to days of Jack’s Mannequin that followed McMahon managed to become somewhat of a mainstay in the pop-punk/indie/emo scene. Each band that he was a part of always seemed to be a bit “ahead of the curve” when it came to song writing and musicianship as not many other bands included piano in the same way. Both bands were highly regarded, but yet their respective tenures almost seem short lived.

Under the moniker Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness McMahon has managed to continue to create his own brand of piano oriented indie/pop-punk, although now with a more pop oriented vibe, for nearly a decade. AMITW, while carrying similarities to his early work, has more of a calculated approach as each new release feels like it has been allowed time to organically come to life until it was ready to be released out in to the world.

Tilt At The Wind No More has a bit more of an electronic feel to and is much more pop sensible than prior releases. However, leaning in to that pop sensibility does not make it overly sugary or just another radio friendly track. McMahon and company still manage to provide an artistic album that revels in the intricacies of it’s own composition.

The album opens with “Lying on the Hood of Your Car” which carries an almost eerie electronic element. The track is lively, but the tone feel almost dark which makes for an intriguing contrast and plays to the strength of the intricate composition that is prevalent throughout the entire album. “Skywriting” is another lively track and feels like it could have been a Jack’s Mannequin B-Side. This track is where the pop sensibilities shine the most and with the right approach this song could be a contender for a breakout hit this summer as it just hits the right kind of feels that one might envision affiliated with the summer season and all it may entail. “Stars” is track that feels like it could be a love child between Something Corporate and Jack’s Mannequin. While the common denominator is clearly McMahon and his unique vocal it still carries elements from both of his previous endeavors that are deeper than just his voice.

“Submarine” is a unique track as it make several references to tracks previously released by AITW. The electronic element returns in a softer tone than heard on “Lying on the Hood of Your Car” and almost feels like it could be a collaboration with Adam Young of Owl City. While it is not a collaboration the similarities are uncanny and it adds to the layering of the track. “Built to Last” takes a swift turn as it is quite mellow in comparison to everything up to this point. McMahon’s piano work takes center stage and allows the track embrace a more melancholy vibe. While some might find the track a bit depressing at this point in the album it is the track’s tonal shift that makes it a truly beautiful track. It keeps things simple without a lot of pop flair, but still manages to get the attention of the listener.

“New Friends” is poignant tale of what appears to be a struggling relationship and the pitfalls of our often shortcomings that could culminate it said relationship ending. Which then brings the awkward aspect of “starting over” and having to make new friends (which seems to get harder the older we all get). What makes the track so intriguing is that it composed as upbeat and happy which seemingly contradicts the subject matter. “Little Disaster” is another mellow track that could be interpreted as a story of growing up and “missing” one’s younger “glory” days but being content with where they are and how they have moved past the things of their past. “Last Rites” moves back in to the poppier side of things moving things out of the somber tone it hits in the middle.

“VHS” stays on the pop-centric side of things, but gets a bit lost so late on the album that it doesn’t seem to get the proper opportunity to really connect. However, that doesn’t make it a bad track. It just might be prone to skipped or overlooked by the casual listener. “Nobody Tells You When You’re Young” shifts back to a more somber and melancholy tone and keeps the instrumentation simple and light as it is piano centric without much else. “Smoke & Ribbons” closes out the album and feels almost anthemic. It’s contrast against “Nobody Tells You When You’re Young” give the closing of the album a unique climax as one would think the track placement should be switched between the two. However, in the grand scheme of things “Smoke & Ribbons” is the obvious better fit as the closing track.

In summation, Tilt At The Wind No More is another solid entry in Andrew McMahon’s collective career as an artist and fits perfectly under the current moniker of Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness. It is well crafted and doesn’t lean too far into the pop aspect which keeps it grounded with a healthy dose of realism.

Tilt At The Wind No More is available now via Nettwerk on all major digital and streaming platforms or you can purchase physical copies via the band’s webstore.

You can also catch Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness on tour later this Spring and on in to the Summer.