Jukebox the Ghost by Jukebox the Ghost

The first two albums from piano pop band Jukebox the Ghost have a distinctive spring to them that for a time defined the band’s sound. Let Live and Let Ghosts (2008) and Everything Under the Sun (2010) are both upbeat and lighthearted when compared to the more somber Safe Travels (2012). For this their third album, the dark humor like “Schizophrenia” and the cheekiness of tracks like “Hold It In” gave way to songs like the more serious “Don’t Let Me Fall Behind” and the more introspective “Dead.” Safe Travels marked a sonic as well as a thematic shift for the band. They still wrote humorous piano-driven pop songs, evident by tracks like “Oh, Emily,” but the album also showed that the band was learning to slow down and refine their sound. The track “Everybody Knows” perhaps best represents this new sound, this new trajectory that the band continued on for their newest release Jukebox the Ghost.

Their self-titled, which came out on the 21st, sounds like a continuation of Safe Travel. It returns to some of the same themes lyrically and sonically walks a similar line. That same slow building, anthem-esque beat of “Everybody Knows” can be found in the album’s lead single “The Great Unknown.” The song opens with pianist/vocalist Ben Thornewill singing alone to his piano; this is built masterfully into a crescendo of layered vocals and snare drum. This sound, along with the song’s lyrics, characterizes Jukebox the Ghost. The lyrics are autobiographical, but still relatable and have this contagious optimism to them. Instrumentally the piano is featured as always, but is well-accompanied despite the band only being three people. In this way the track best represents the album. It shows that the band’s sound has been developed, but not over-complicated. Piano pop can be deep, meaningful and instrumentally challenging, but there is also has to be something of an effortless simplicity to it and Jukebox The Ghost proves that the band continues to improve upon that formula.

Lyrically Jukebox has moved from the comical to thoughtful without losing steam. Lines like “Keep up your head up / Don’t take your eyes off the road / Oh, you’re never gonna change / By doing what you’re told” illustrate the optimism of “The Great Unknown.” The song carries a deeper message, but delivers it through simple rhyme and short lines. The same technique can also be found in “When the Nights Get Long” and the atypical break-up song in “Made for Ending.”

With its anthem-like quality, “The Great Unknown” sounds like Fun’s “Some Nights” only with less autotune and more piano. The song gives Thornewill, who shares the lead vocal role with the band’s guitarist Tommy Siegel, the opportunity to really belt out the lyrics and show his strength as a singer. His versatility as a vocalist can be heard in the high notes of “Undeniable You” and the steady pound of “Postcard.” Thornewill can also scale it back for songs like “Hollywood” and share the spotlight. In an unexpected twist, the intro of “Hollywood” features drummer Jesse Kristin’s vocals for just a few soft spoken measures. From there the song launches into piano driven pop that reassures any long time listeners that the band has perhaps matured in sound, but still recognizes its roots.

The synth of “The One” also seems a nod to their older, simpler songs as well. The band has steadily added to their sound over the past couple of albums, so that their songs now feature more than just guitar, drums and piano. “The One” is proof that Jukebox can still strip back to the sound that first caught our attention. The song as well as several others on Jukebox the Ghost also prove that the band can still write excellent love songs. Lyrically the band has not lost their handle on illustrating heartbreak and heartache. The sentiments and softness of Safe Travel‘s “At Last” and Everything Under the Sun‘s “The Popular Thing” seem to have been refined and written into songs like “Long Way Home” and “Undeniable You.” These slower tracks, along with “Show Me Where It Hurts,” prove that you can still turn to Jukebox for the same kind of songs that listeners always have. If you loved “Victoria” you’ll love “Girl.” If “Good Day” was your jam then you’ll have “Sound of a Broken Heart” on repeat. It may take a moment longer to recognize, but the album is still Jukebox the Ghost brand piano pop. After a few run throughs, the album bares an undeniable resemblance to as well as a difference from the band’s earlier releases. For that reason Jukebox the Ghost is perhaps a sibling rather than a twin. Still it’s worth a listen.

-Zoe Marquedant