Paper
Lions - At Long Creek (Common Law Records)
Paper Lions (formerly the Chucky Danger Band) are a
Canadian indie-folk-pop quartet with a history that goes back to 2004 when
brothers John and Rob MacPhee joined up with neighbour Colin Buchanan and
school friend David Cyrus MacDonald. Originally from a village on Prince Edward
Island called Belfast (a community historically known for rioting and golf
courses rather than producing popular beat combos), they’re now based in
Charlottetown, the island’s provincial capital and main population centre. I
can’t imagine it’s an ideal location for the propagation of a career in popular
music, but so far it doesn’t seem to have done them much harm. They’re regular
nominees and occasional winners of various national music prizes, they
performed at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and they’ve toured with
Cake, Hot Hot Heat, Bad Religion and many more.
Their latest record, the six-track “At Long Creek”
should gain them more friends and fans. They tap into the new folk tradition
with gentle ease, finding their niche somewhere between Fleet Foxes and
Mumfords. Lush melodies and delicious harmonies abound, with lead vocalist John
MacPhee providing many top-end thrills. They’re keen songwriters, too. “Ghostwriters” opens proceedings;
its stop / start arrangement is strangely coherent and it flows without
pandering to expectations. “Little
Liar” is just perfection personified, from the very first line.
Fine playing, a great tune, a song with bite and a masterful hook. “Bodies in the Winter” is fuller
and just as appealing, and references both Vampire Weekend and Crowded House
without compromising their own unique personality.
Rob F.
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