Jack's Mannequin - People and Things (08/03/2012)
Jack’s Mannequin’s third album, People and Things yet again leaves us to question why this band has not found mainstream success. This album showcases the growth of the band from their previous two albums. It has a cleaner, more produced, overall sound that features greater strength in McMahon’s vocals and an easy blend of piano and guitar over dynamic beat.
As with Jack’s Mannequin’s earlier work, this album pays its due to some of the greatest songwriters of all time, with clear influences from Bob Dylan and Tom Petty, through both lyrics and the raw edge of a rock and roll beat. However, some tracks show more recent influences with sounds reminiscent of works from Bright Eyes and Augustana as well as a more modern pop sound.
Described by McMahon as an album about relationships, People and Things flaunts McMahon’s talent of drawing an audience into his personal journey, challenging modern musical concepts of lust-filled relationships, leaving us with a clear depiction of realistic and tangible love. From his own not-so pleasant history, McMahon’s maturity and strength is presented through his lyrics and approach to the stories he shares through this album.
The overall tone of the album reflects Jack’s Mannequin’s earlier albums (Everything In Transit and The Glass Passenger) presenting a culmination of the band’s musical growth since their conception. Combining the sounds of the earlier albums will appease fans of the brighter sound of Everything In Transit, while those who prefer the darker side and McMahon’s more complex approach to lyrics from The Glass Passenger will also enjoy the album.
The first track and first single, My Racing Thoughts, works well as a song to bring in a mainstream audience, with its driving beat and upbeat tone. This song features a fast-paced melody blend of piano and guitar, in an easy to follow and catchy musical progression. McMahon’s strong vocals mesh perfectly with the instrumentation, creating an uplifting song that works as a bridge between their older works and the new album, and will draw in new listeners to the band.
Release Me, the second single of the album, continues to flaunt McMahon’s talent on the piano, with the jaunty playing style lending to a more 80s pop vibe. This single also features the darker side of McMahon’s lyrics, and explores his need to leave a failing relationship, in a clear juxtaposition from the instrumental accompaniment. Unlike the first single, this track sits better as a continuation from Jack’s Mannequin’s earlier work and without the catchy chorus and melody; newer listeners may overlook it.
With the third studio album often sees bands steering off course from their earlier works ad leaving fans out of the loop, Jack’s Mannequin’s People and Things has managed to successfully show the musical development of the band while still clinging to the sounds that have brought them fans. The almost conscious influences from their earlier albums, as well as from bands writing within piano-rock and pop-rock genres, has lead to the production of a cohesive and intimate album with enough diversity to suit listeners both old and new.
Bethany Williams
As with Jack’s Mannequin’s earlier work, this album pays its due to some of the greatest songwriters of all time, with clear influences from Bob Dylan and Tom Petty, through both lyrics and the raw edge of a rock and roll beat. However, some tracks show more recent influences with sounds reminiscent of works from Bright Eyes and Augustana as well as a more modern pop sound.
Described by McMahon as an album about relationships, People and Things flaunts McMahon’s talent of drawing an audience into his personal journey, challenging modern musical concepts of lust-filled relationships, leaving us with a clear depiction of realistic and tangible love. From his own not-so pleasant history, McMahon’s maturity and strength is presented through his lyrics and approach to the stories he shares through this album.
The overall tone of the album reflects Jack’s Mannequin’s earlier albums (Everything In Transit and The Glass Passenger) presenting a culmination of the band’s musical growth since their conception. Combining the sounds of the earlier albums will appease fans of the brighter sound of Everything In Transit, while those who prefer the darker side and McMahon’s more complex approach to lyrics from The Glass Passenger will also enjoy the album.
The first track and first single, My Racing Thoughts, works well as a song to bring in a mainstream audience, with its driving beat and upbeat tone. This song features a fast-paced melody blend of piano and guitar, in an easy to follow and catchy musical progression. McMahon’s strong vocals mesh perfectly with the instrumentation, creating an uplifting song that works as a bridge between their older works and the new album, and will draw in new listeners to the band.
Release Me, the second single of the album, continues to flaunt McMahon’s talent on the piano, with the jaunty playing style lending to a more 80s pop vibe. This single also features the darker side of McMahon’s lyrics, and explores his need to leave a failing relationship, in a clear juxtaposition from the instrumental accompaniment. Unlike the first single, this track sits better as a continuation from Jack’s Mannequin’s earlier work and without the catchy chorus and melody; newer listeners may overlook it.
With the third studio album often sees bands steering off course from their earlier works ad leaving fans out of the loop, Jack’s Mannequin’s People and Things has managed to successfully show the musical development of the band while still clinging to the sounds that have brought them fans. The almost conscious influences from their earlier albums, as well as from bands writing within piano-rock and pop-rock genres, has lead to the production of a cohesive and intimate album with enough diversity to suit listeners both old and new.
Bethany Williams