Right, so this CD came my way recently, and I figured I'd write about it here, so here it is. Paper Sea is a band consisting of two brothers (both guitar players & singers, but the older one obviously being the "front-man of the band" as he's credited with pretty much every instrument that appears on the album) and two other members from Mansfield, Ohio. The best thing this album has going for it is the production. Recorded and produced by Columbus's own Jonathan Hape, the production value on this album is stellar.
The actual music on the disc starts off with the albums 'single', a light power pop ballad named "Ingersol" that makes full use of woodwinds, pianos, guitars, drums and what else but- gang vocals! Reminds me of Cold War Kids, Broken Social Scene, and Sunny Day Real Estate (which a quick look at the band's myspace page confirms an interest in). Probably the best part of this track is the semi-frantic sax solo in the bridge of the song, if it was more prominent in the mix and about 6 times as long this band would really be onto something big. The album continues with really decent feel good sunny day songs the bring up memories of Interpol, The Silversun Pickups, and Fleet Foxes, until the absolute shocker of a ninth track titled "Majestic". Here's a song that makes me see a lot of British indie-punk influence (Arctic Monkeys, Kaiser Chiefs, etc.), and a really catchy, punk-rock ballad line "Oh I'm just a little fucking different!" that almost everyone can relate to in some way. This track also stands out because of it's breakdown, this time utilizing Sonic Youth-esque guitar ramblings, bongos, and drumming that sounds like the drummer is falling off a cliff while playing his drums. I love it.
With only two really standout tracks on the album, Paper Sea could probably afford to be missed until their next official full-length, which I'm almost sure will be A+ material. These kids need time to grow. This band has quite a bit going for them at the moment, but not quite enough to be anything spectacular at the moment. Give it a few years and you'll have the next Modest Mouse on your hands.
[Paper Sea Myspace]
[Buy The Pursued, The Pursuing, The Busy & The Tired on iTunes]
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