Something Corporate, the pop-punk, semi-emo band defined its sound with piano leads and vocals dominated by lead singer Andrew McMahon. Alongside heavy guitars and catchy lyrics, SoCo, as they are known to their fanatical band-aids, added its touch to the pop-punk sound that began to dominate the airwaves several years ago.

One would think McMahon’s side project, Jack’s Mannequin, would offer a new spin on the genre.

Like I said, one would think.

Jack’s Mannequin is a letdown in every sense of the word. What is delivered is a new version of SoCo minus about 75 percent of the pop element, but twice as much piano.

Someone needs to pull McMahon aside and say, “Hey, lose the piano shtick. It’s been done to death on the past two albums that you’ve fronted.”

Every song follows the same structure. Something along the lines of, “OK, there’s the verse and here comes the chorus. Oh wait, I hear the bridge and, wait, what’s that? It’s a bit heavier for about 15 seconds and then we’re back into the chorus.” Adding a guitar with a touch of distortion doesn’t save a song.

“My life has become a boring pop song and everyone’s singing along,”

McMahon says on “I’m Ready.” Someone take the hammer and smack the nail right on head. Boring pop song indeed, Andrew. Let’s just hope no one’s really singing along.

Trying to recreate “Konstantine,” the nine and a half minute power ballad which SoCo is famous for, McMahon offers us “MFEO,” but the seven minute song falls flat on its face.

Time to take this mannequin out of the front display window and put it back in storage for a while.