Paper the Operator – Solemn Boyz EP

Massive guitar crunch?  Check.  Hooks that grab you quicker than a clingy ex-girlfriend?  Check.  Refreshing lack of pretentiousness and indie-rock snobbery?

Thank the Lord, check.  You won’t find any 2-minute ambient-noise openers on this one – all we get is a 2-syllable vocal lead-in before the whole band crashes in with a downright addictive combo of garage-band power-pop energy and veteran tightness, all wrapped up in a thicker-than-peanut-butter power-chord crunch.  Songs like the kickoff title track are eminently sing-able, from each phrase of the verse to the pop-punk-tinged harmonies on the chorus, and the songs in general are just a good, old-fashioned, rawk-it-out fun time, not unlike what a late-90’s Tooth & Nail Records release might sound like.

Even though the music is, in reality, pretty simple, there’s an expert meticulousness in the songwriting and instrumentation that speaks to a band that’s got a commendable handle on how to keep songs interesting without overplaying or going off the deep end with off-the-wall instruments or drawn-out tangents (again: Thank the Lord).  It’s proof positive that the band is composed of musicians that are clearly more skilled than they let on and have a razor-sharp sense of taste that’s well-seasoned with raucous energy – everything from the sparkling two-note riffs that inject adrenaline into the power-chord down-picking to the brief Maiden-esque harmonized guitars in “The Heart’s Hardest Part” to the almost 2-minute acoustic build-up and massive crescendo in “Salty & Sweet” goes miles in keeping the songs fresh and fun, to the point where casual listeners probably can’t help but nod along with a big, Orbit-gum smile on their face.

For most people, the sticking point is going to be frontman Jon Sebastian’s vocals, as he’s packing a pretty high set of pipes somewhere in between Relient K’s Matt Thiessen and New Found Glory’s Jordan Pudnik that rolls out buttery-smooth, angst-free melodies with ease.  Fortunately, Sebastian gets to put his skills to use in quite a broad array of songs, from the Pixies-esque crawl of “Words You Never Learned” (note: this song does NOT sound like the Pixies, except for the tempo and minimalist guitar work.  Those Pixies fans are a rabid bunch), to the poppy jangle of “Divorce Court” that wouldn’t be too far out of place on an MxPx record, to the flawless harmonies that build in “Salty & Sweet” like an epiphany in progress, and by the time the EP has run it’s course, it’s pretty surprising that PtO has tackled so many angles on up-tempo alt-rock in a hair shy of 18 minutes.

And an EP it is, folks.  There’s not really a whole lot else to be said about it – it’s well-produced (the guitars absolutely slam for an independent release), fun, un-pretentious garage-band alt-rock from a band that plays like a bunch of seasoned scene vets, yet clearly doesn’t take themselves too seriously.  It may not seem like much at first listen, but see if you can make it through the rest of the day without humming along to at least one of these 6 tracks by accident.  $10 says you won’t.  Keep your eyes peeled and fingers crossed for more from these guys.

No related posts.

blog comments powered by Disqus