A record that examines the kind of hip-swaying rock ‘n’ roll you’d 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 joke’s 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. “It’s 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 he’s ever shared, and all informed by a whirlwind relationship that’s 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 Parkford’s additions helped to complete this story and fulfill the band’s efforts to make a record that any love-fool can identify with. Parkford’s own personal narratives include the playful late night romp “Don’t 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 you’ve connected with, falling in love, then swiftly and dramatically falling out of it. There’s 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.