We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things
by Jason Mraz
  • Record Label: Atlantic
  • Release Date: May 13, 2008
Metascore
60

Mixed or average reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    His third studio CD, We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things., includes pleasantly lightweight jams with beachy guitars (''Live High''), R&B horns (''Make It Mine''), even playful scat singing (''I'm Yours'').
  2. Hartford Courant
    80
    The 30-year-old San Diegan makes another foray into sonic cross-pollination with heavy doses of polish and free-flowing energy on his third full-length studio album.
  3. Billboard
    80
    Jason Mraz emerges even bolder than before on an album loaded with strings, horns, formidable grooves and a dozen songs dripping with mantra-like positivity.
  5. AllMusic
    70
    The nice thing about the soulful shimmer of We Sing is that it's so slick that it's easy to ignore the gibberish spilling out of Mraz's mouth and just enjoy the sunny, easy sound.
  6. PopMatters
    70
    The album sounds great, and Mraz knows what he is up to. Less clear, I think, is whether the razzle-dazzle wordsmith who loves his Eminem records is ready to truly enter the marketplace as a serious vocalist and a sober songwriter. We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things is clearly making a bid in that direction.
  7. Boston Globe
    60
    Mraz shines brightest on a pair of '70s-style piano-pop songs. 'Love for a Child' would be solid midtempo Elton John, complete with lyrics (viewing a failing relationship from the child's perspective) just oddball enough for Bernie Taupin.
  8. Sputnikmusic
    60
    The album is harmless fun, and the funky, groovy, hook-dominated tracks are impossible to hate.
  9. Blender
    50
    Pondering his parents divorce or describing intricate and delicate sex acts, Mraz's tasty tenor remains a modestly classy pleasure. But he's lost crucial cool. [June 2008, p.75]
  10. Uncut
    40
    Listening to this is like being followed home by a puppy--initially cute and guilelessly affecting, but rapidly irritating. [July 2008, p.104]
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  11. Hot Press
    40
    Would be blockbuster from the Jack Johnson it’s really not okay to like.
  12. Dot Music
    40
    For a moment one can hear Mraz's real soul, rather than a factory-assembled version. Sadly, it's too little and too late to save this queasy record.
  13. Mojo
    40
    They all bed down with perfunctory efficiency as the voaclly gifted, lyrically vague Mraz holds court with a nylon-string guitar. [Feb 2009, p.112]
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Awards & Rankings

54
#54 Most Shared Album of 2008

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 60 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 43 out of 60
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 60
  3. Negative: 12 out of 60
  1. dsingh831
    Dec 29, 2011
    10
    If you don't like this album, you have no soul. The crazy part is how many people still don't know about him. Def worth checking out. Yes,If you don't like this album, you have no soul. The crazy part is how many people still don't know about him. Def worth checking out. Yes, this review is late but I stumbled upon the CD lying in an old box and crap and just had to say something about it. All around feel good album.… Full Review »
  2. clem666
    May 6, 2021
    4
    It is truly astonishing to witness how silly and naive a grown man such as Jason Mraz can be. This album is literally an easy-listening: theIt is truly astonishing to witness how silly and naive a grown man such as Jason Mraz can be. This album is literally an easy-listening: the kind of record you listen to when you want to see life in pink with singing birds, loving and caring people and all those improbable conveniences. I do agree with Sputnikmusic when Tyler says 'We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things' is 'impossible to hate'. Indeed the melodies are terribly simple, not surprising nor rewarding at all, lyrics are cheesy and creamy as possible, featured artists bring even more silliness and idleness to the whole product and instruments and singing are overly conventional.

    At least we can say he tried to give birth to varied approaches as on 'Coyotes' but something (or someone, maybe himself) is always making sure that he doesn't sound too original. The album cover is ugly as hell and its title only assures us that the content will be as white and bland as it possibly could have been. Things quickly become painful as Mraz forces his smiles and wordplay.    … Full Review »
  3. Laura
    Mar 2, 2009
    5
    I like Mraz, but almost hated this derivative album. Not only heard Eminem in there, but also (gasp) Drake Bell?! Sounded like weak first I like Mraz, but almost hated this derivative album. Not only heard Eminem in there, but also (gasp) Drake Bell?! Sounded like weak first album. His sound present only on a few songs.… Full Review »
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