Description

A record that examines the kind of hip-swaying rock n roll youd find on a dive bar jukebox, Mini Mansions third album Guy Walks Into A Bar sounds happily disaffected by trend, time or place, like the titular joke itself. There are a hundred different kickers to that joke, but this time around the jokes on them. A guy walks into a bar only to face reality. It started off as a joke because it is a joke, says Shuman of the title. Its a way to start off the story of a relationship that ends up getting much deeper.

The album has been a labor of love individually and collectively. In terms of the former, the lyrics on the record penned by singer/guitarist Michael Shuman are the most hard- hitting, self-reflective hes ever shared, and all informed by a whirlwind relationship thats since dissipated. As they reveal each stage from beginning to end, the songs change in mood and even specific setting as the relationship itself deteriorated. Tears In Her Eyes, for example, was rewritten later to become a break-up song once the engagement was off.

Co-writer Tyler Parkfords additions helped to complete this story and fulfill the bands efforts to make a record that any love-fool can identify with. Parkfords own personal narratives include the playful late night romp Dont Even Know You, the bombastic dance anthem Forgot Your Name and their EP title track Works Every Time. The album progresses from reckless antics to the serious trappings of starting to care for a person youve connected with, falling in love, then swiftly and dramatically falling out of it. Theres a push-pull between the nocturnal whimsy of being freewheelin dudes, and a fear of adulthood as the threesome become fully grown men.

The result is their sleekest, most direct and downright poppiest effort to date. Co- produced by Shuman and long time collaborator/mixer Cian Riordan, there are some additional familiar voices dotted in with a duet with The Kills front woman Alison Mosshart on Hey Lover and backing vocals from Z Berg (former singer in The Like) on Forgot Your Name and the disco banger, Living In The Future, which sounds like Devo by way of ELO.