Coin-operated boys

Jack’s Mannequin’s newest album, “People and Things”, has the same sound as the Jack’s Mannequin songs current college students listened to in high school, but the band’s increasing maturity shows.

The third track, “Television,” takes Jack’s Mannequin circa “Everything in Transit” and adds a deeper, fuller sound to the album. It starts off slow and crescendos halfway into the song as vocals and instruments collide.

This twist on the band’s traditional sound is a pleasant surprise after the first two easy-listening, sure-hits songs.

Later on, the acoustic track “Restless Dream” changes the overall sound of the album yet again, but in an amazingly subtle way.

Throughout the album, the lyrics and vocals are similar not only to other tracks on the album, but also to the band’s previous albums.

Yet on “Restless Dream,” the soft undertones of the guitar set it apart.

Of course, as is the case with any proper Jack’s Mannequin song, it’s easy to identify with the songwriting, and there are plenty of one- or two-line lyrical gems scattered throughout.

The bottom line: Jack’s Mannequin fans will not be disappointed by this album. For everyone else, it’s at least worth a listen on Spotify.