MyNameIsJohnMichael is nothing if not ambitious. The band spent 2008 writing, recording, and releasing a new song every week of the year—52 total. The arduous process transformed a singer/songwriter’s pet project into a sextet playing Springsteen-sized indie rock. Completing the 52 songs also gave the band a wealth of confidence and experience, both of which are put to use on its ambitious debut, The People That Come and Go.

To call The People That Come and Go a “debut,” while technically correct, is a bit of a stretch. The entire album is pulled from the 52 project, making this the second release of every track. Having a year to rework ideas means Come and Go is better developed than a typical first album. Many of the songs boast more sophisticated arrangements than their 52 project counterparts, such as the rousing strings found in the bridge of “Nothing but Memories.” The result is an album of dense, larger-than-life songs. However, the lyrics keep the songs personable by weaving very human tales spotlighting tragic, dark, and outright disturbing characters. The people coming and going include strippers, murderous thieves, and a father pimping out his daughter. These narratives convey fragility beneath the armor of the big arrangements.

While greater familiarity breeds gusto and confident performances in some songs, the extra time also leads the band to overthink some songs. “Every Night of the Year” includes acoustic guitar picking, synthesizers, trumpets, and backing vocals competing for the listener’s attention to such a degree that they overshadow the main vocal melody. However, if occasionally going too far is the price the members of MyNameIsJohnMichael pay for going somewhere, it is difficult to begrudge them that.