Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness (album)

Jack's Mannequin released their third album People and Things in October 2011 through the Warner Bros. imprint Sire Records. The album was made between 2009 and 2011, during which there was a leadership change at Warner Bros. As a result, the album was recorded on three separate occasions. Throughout the making of the album, vocalist/pianist Andrew McMahon felt that it was time to move on to another project. that he had initially intended would last for only one record. In February 2012, McMahon began dropping suggestions that the band's breakup was imminent. McMahon soon ended his partnership with Warner Bros. because of creative differences, and left his management. He took a step back from the music industry, moved out of Los Angeles to San Clemente, and spent his time focusing on his marriage, mental health and confidence. Jack's Mannequin played their last show in November. The Pop Underground EP was released in April 2013. McMahon then earned a support slot for O.A.R. on their headlining US tour between June and August. Around this time, McMahon received an Emmy nomination for Smash and found new management. Collectively, he spent two months at the cabin. ==Production==

Following his time in Topanga Canyon, McMahon began working with producer Mike Viola in his Echo Park garage studio. A friend of McMahon's liked the work of songwriter James Flannigan and suggested that McMahon work with him. The two of them with Flannigan's writing partner, Anders Grahn, collaborated on songs in Hollywood. despite this, sessions continued into April. McMahon and his manager contacted Vanguard Records (who McMahon knew through friends) after more than half the album had been recorded and began working with them. McMahon, Flannigan and Viola worked in a variety of production areas at studios in Los Angeles to finish the album. They included: Barebones Studios, Big Evil, Rusk Studios, LAFX (with engineer Spencer Guerra), Spendlove Studios and Limbo Studios in the UK. McMahon sang, he and Flannigan played keyboards, and Viola added bass. Viola and Flannigan sang backing vocals; Viola added guitar on "Black and White Movies". Flannigan contributed programming, with additional programming by Viola and Jake Sinclair, who provided additional production. Patrick Warren came up with string arrangements for "High Dive and "Rainy Girl"; McMahon self-produced the latter song at Gat 3 with engineer Glenn A. Tabor III. Zac Clark (who added programming, keyboards and tambourine) and Jay McMillan (who added programming, drums and percussion) co-produced "See Her on the Weekend". Sinclair mixed the final recordings at Infrasonic Sound, before Pete Lyman mastered them there. ==Composition==

Overview Musically, critics have described the sound of Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness as pop, While working on the album, McMahon said Daft Punk, LCD Soundsystem, M83 and Passion Pit influenced him. The album's title refers to McMahon being out of the major label system and without a band and his subsequent attempts to find his way back. with Griffin (whom McMahon had known since the early days of touring with Something Corporate) and Hollander. McMahon tackled it from the viewpoint of splitting up with his wife and her moving on, McMahon's weekend trips to see his wife inspired the creation of "See Her on the Weekend". It talks about long-distance love and occupying time until Friday. One critic viewed it as a dance-able version of People and Things song "Amy, I". "Maps for the Getaway" is about going for broke, and borrows the melody from the Everything in Transit track "Rescued". The synthesizer channels the melody of "Edge of Seventeen" (1982) by Stevie Nicks. ==Release==

In July, McMahon began performing under the moniker Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness. He explained that the wilderness part of the name was "mostly an abstract one. Since putting Jack’s [Mannequin] behind me, I have forced myself into strange spaces seeking new stimulus." The name was taken from a journal that McMahon had started after moving out of Los Angeles titled In the Wilderness. "Cecilia and the Satellite" was made available for streaming on July 18 via McMahon's SoundCloud profile. McMahon then supported Gavin DeGraw and Matt Nathanson on their co-headlining US tour in July and August. On August 12, Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness was announced for release in October, the album's artwork was revealed, and "Cecilia and the Satellite" was released as a single. "High Dive" was released as a single on September 2, as was "Canyon Moon" on September 23. "See Her on the Weekend" was made available for streaming through MTV on September 29, before being released as a single the following day. Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness was made available for streaming on October 6 through Billboard website, before being released on October 14 through independent label Vanguard Records. On December 5, a music video was released for "Cecilia and the Satellite", directed by Olivier Agostini. This was followed by a "Day in the Life" video on February 25, 2015, again directed by Agostini. This version features McMahon, his wife and his daughter spending time together while on tour, before they watch him perform at a show. In August, McMahon embarked on an Australian tour. McMahon performed "Cecilia and the Satellite" on Conan on September 29, and again for Today on October 2. "High Dive" was released to alternative radio stations on October 13. The Canyons EP was released on November 20, and featured stripped-down versions of "Maps for the Getaway", "Cecilia and the Satellite", "Halls" and "High Dive", produced by John Alagia. On December 7, a music video was released for "High Dive", directed by Rich Ragsdale. In February 2016, McMahon performed on KROQ-FM's Red Bull Sound Space, playing "High Dive" and "Cecilia and the Satellite". A Grey Goon remix of "High Dive" was released in April. ==Reception==

Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness was met with generally favorable reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, the album received an average score of 78, based on four reviews. "Cecilia and the Satellite" reached number 96 on the Hot 100, in addition to number four on Rock Airplay, number five on Alternative Airplay, number six on Alternative Digital Song Sales and Hot Rock & Alternative Songs, number seven on Triple A Songs, and number 24 on Adult Contemporary charts. "High Dive" charted at number 16 on the Alternative Airplay, and number 24 on the Rock Airplay charts. ==Track listing==

Writing credits per booklet. ==Personnel==

Personnel per booklet. Musicians • Andrew McMahon – piano, vocals, keyboards • James Flannigan – programming, keyboards, backing vocals • Mike Viola – additional programming, bass, backing vocals; guitar (track 6) • Jake Sinclair – additional programming • Patrick Warren – string arrangement (tracks 3 and 9) • Zac Clark – programming, keyboards, tambourine (track 5) • Jay McMillan – programming, drums, percussion (track 5) Production • Mike Viola – producer, engineer • James Flannigan – producer, engineer • Andrew McMahon – producer (track 9) • Jake Sinclair – additional production, mixing • Zac Clark – co-producer (track 5) • Jay McMillan – co-producer (track 5) • Spencer Guerra – engineer • Glenn A. Tabor III – engineer • Pete Lyman – mastering • Jimmy Marble – photography • Brendan Walter – Andrew McMahon photo • Carrie Smith – layout ==Chart performance==