[3/5]
While Jack's Mannequin, the newer songwriting vehicle for Something Corporate singer/pianist Andrew McMahon sounds a lot like, well, Something Corporate, McMahon's SC collaborator/guitarist Josh Partington has gone in a significantly different direction with Firescape, his outlet for all things sans piano. The group's first full-length, Dancehall Apocalypse, largely spends its 12 tracks brooding in gloomy alt-rock land, with the occasional burst of Jimmy Eat World-esque pop providing a rare glimpse of sunlight. The energy-saturated power-pop of "The Sound" and the detuned JEW-style crunch of "Breathe In" offer Dancehall's most overtly winning moments, as does the moody, aptly titled closer "Sleeping," but it's tough to walk away from the record with an impression any greater than Partington's obvious competence as a vocalist and core creator. But for this former sideman's debut, perhaps that's about all you can ask for. (WE THE PEOPLE) Brendan Manley
 Official Website: http://www.wethepeoplerecords.com
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