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 Wonderful" 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.

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.

1. the "opera bit" on mr. curiosity is not the fault of producer lilywhite. if you knew jason's performance quips, you would know that every so often at a live show, jason would throw in his interpretation of opera. yes, jason sings opera. he's not the best opera singer, of course, but it's part of his humor. dont take everything so seriously.

2. saying that this cd makes jason "sound like a different person, and that's sad" is in fact, sad. what's sad is that this is more like the real jason. WFMRTC was jason being turned into another pop artist, one hit wonder, bubblegum star. that's not who jason is. Mr. A-Z is jason taking the process more into his own hands and making the music he wants to make, not just what will sound good on the radio. he's young guy, and he experiments. some experiments work, some dont, but the point is, he's a real musician and likes to try different things. if you dont like it, fine, but at least appreciate the fact that part of jason's charm is his willingness to sound different from the other guy, to see what new music he can make.

I had pre-ordered my copy of Mr. A-Z and couldn't wait for it to come on Tuesday. I listened to the entire thing right away, and, overall, I love it. "Geek in the Pink" and "Clockwatching" have been in my head for three days straight now- "Clockwatching" might make my list of all-time best songs by anyone ever.

However (there had to be a "however," right?), I do think this album is over-produced. There are so many times that Mr. Mraz's voice is altered-- why, why, why? He has one of the best voices out there, and it's much better in its natural state. And some of the songs are wonderful and then do something weird at the end; "Did You Get My Message" is a perfect example. Great song, and then this awful outro.

However, it is still Jason Mraz, which is better than anything else out there today. I'm sure it will get better the more times you hear it, just like WFMRTC.

The Geek in the Pink is all about the Wordplay and when he's up there in that Plane no doubt writing a Song for a Friend he's thinking to himself, Life is Wonderful. Now, Did You Get My Message? Stop Clockwatching and go buy this album!!

Enough of that - about the tracks.

LIFE IS WONDERFUL is wonderful; it makes you think and every line is so true. You'll probably find yourself quoting it.

"It takes no time to fall in love, but it takes you years to know what love is, and it takes some fears to make you trust, it takes those tears to make it rust, it takes the dust to have it polished." - Brilliant

WORDPLAY, what can I say? It's just such a fun song. I was hooked on it at one point. I love the way he jokes about the record label putting hime onthe shelf up in the freezer and becoming a one-hit wonder. He's so playful in his stlye and he might call himself a geek, but I think he's pretty cool. You have to have some humour in this business. "Mix n a mingle, is everybody ready for the single and it goes..."

GEEK IN THE PINK - hilarious. The beginning of the second verse he sings really fast.

DID YOU GET MY MESSAGE? - I love it!! So many different styles, kinda jazzy with pop, and a lil bit of Toca's djembe drums. Rachelle's voice is nice. "Uh-oh where did it go? Must have bypassed your phone and jumped right out the window." He should make a video for this song.

MR.CURIOSITY - I like the chorus a lot, but towards the end, he does this opera stuff that I think doesn't go with the song, but I'm sure it's porbably a joke or something; you gotta love his since of humour.

CLOCKWATCHING - This is one of my favorites. I love the chorus; it's so fun to belt out."I'm off like an airplane, I'm licking your postage stamp again.I'm using my right brain and I'm praying that we don't crash.Who knew I'd come so fast?Well so what if a two pump chump can't last."

BELLA LUNA - He wrote this with his friend Bushwalla.It's sweet, romantic, and relaxing."...Intertwining like a ring around the finger of a girl I'm just a singer, you're the world.All I can bring ya, is the language of a lover Bella Luna, my beautiful beautiful moona, how you swoon me like no other."

PLANE - Such a sad song.He is obviously furious and sadened by being lonely because he can't seem to keep a long-distance relationship. I saw his first performance of Plane by going to Google Video Player. It was at the coffee shop. He loves touring and playing his music, but I'm sure he gets lomesome sometimes and longs for a normal life.I like the first verse especially.This could also have a good video with a lot of emotion showing a different side to Jason."...better hurry cause I'm heaving upward bound oh maybe I'll build my house on your cloud here I'm tumbling for you stumbling through the work I have to do don't mean to harm you by leaving your town again..."

O.Lover - I like the chorus and I love the end when he breaks it down. I also love the scatting before that. The first time I heard this song I at once thought he sounded like Gavin DeGraw, who I also love (only for some parts)."Weekend party's over, don't stop let's get closer.Friday, gotta cold shoulder, Monday, gotta new composure.Weekend party's over, don't stop, let's get lower, I wont blow your cover Opportunistic lover.

Weekend part's over, don't stop, let's closer,Friday's mediocre, Monday, I'm self-exposed now.Weekend party's over, don't stop, let's suppossa, I won't blow your cover

Opportunistic lover."

PLEASE DON'T TELL HER - Ahhh, this is a great song and it frustrates me that it is going unheard. It should be a single. He sounds like Weezer, but his lyrics are more profound (I do like Weezer, don't get me wrong).I might sound repetitive, but he should have done a video for this song and it also would show him in a different light, and it has more of a rock sound that would show Jason's versitality."Say it isn't so, how she easily comes and she eay go.Please don't tell her that I've been meaning to miss her because I don't...Please don't dare to tell her what I've become, please don't mention all the attention I have drawn. Please don't bother cause she'll feel guilty when I'm gone because I'm crazy like the rest of us, but I'm crazier when I'm next to her...Do I hurt anymore do I hurt, well, I don't." Poor baby, I think he does.

THE FORECAST - It's laidback, soft, and soothing.I like the way the word at the end of a line will lead the next line sometimes. He does that a lot."...like cats and dogs we'll be flying and I'm no weatherman, but you are lighting, striking."

SONG FOR A FRIEND - If you are not touched by this song something is wrong with you.Jason is amazing, the choir is beautiful. There's nothing I can say about this song, and every line is to be quoted so I can't choose one - that's how good it is!!