Jack Mannequin People and Things

After a long, anticipated wait, Jack's Mannequin fans were finally able to get their hands on the band's new album People and Things, Oct. 4. People and Things is the third studio album for the California rockers. It follows 2005's Everything in Transit and 2008's The Glass Passenger. 

Fans have been anxiously waiting for its release since the July 21 announcement.  Accompanying the album is the People and Things Tour, which began Oct. 6 and runs through Nov. 12.

In a video posted on Jack's Mannequin's website, lead vocalist and pianist Andrew McMahon said he wanted to talk about the world he lives in on the album. He described his world as one where "love is not the stuff on greeting cards, but a trench war worth fighting. A world of tenuous connections drifting in and out of relevance."

The People and Things lead track, "My Racing Thoughts," is the only single to be released from the album as of its debut.

The song tells the story of a girl reading every thought racing through his mind as their relationship destructs.

In the beginning of the chorus McMahon sings, "We break with speed , That girl can read my racing thoughts."

"My Racing Thoughts" is a wise choice for the first single. Although it's not the best song the album has to offer, it is a good indicator of what the audience can expect.

Each of the 15 tracks on the album features the familiar Jack's Mannequin sound. 

The background music is the usual mix between alternative and piano rock, and is accompanied by well-written, catchy lyrics.

McMahon delivers some of the album's best lines in the track "Broken Bird." He sings, "You knew when you met me,That I was a razor blade/In these halls of bad memories,I'll do what it takes just to cut them all loose." Because of these clever lyrics, backed by soothing cords, "Broken Bird" stands out from the rest of the album. 

The song "Hostage" also has catchy lyrics. "I won't hold you hostage,And I won't set you free, I'll always keep the light on ,And you'll return to me,Please don't lose the keys," McMahon sings in the chorus.

Although the album has its finer points in cleverly written lyrics, it does have its negatives.

Had the band left the tracks "Platform Fire" and "10 Days Gone" off the album, it could have been better. In both, McMahon sounds whiny and miserable.

Despite a couple of bad tracks, overall, the album is pretty good.  Jack's Mannequin fans are sure to be delighted with the same, familiar sound applied to new, catchy lyrics and a tour to accompany the album as well.