Photos by Andrew Parks
If Bjorn Yttling of Peter, Bjorn and John is to be believed, we’re not supposed to take anyone who dislikes Paper seriously. Fair enough, although our first impression of the Stockholm-based trio was much more immediate and instinctive than a simple “boy this is swell” reaction.
Maybe it’s because we recently came down from a Rip It Up-induced Wire binge, but something about the band’s debut (An Object, available as an import or high-quality download) got our attention like a blind spot-bound glass bottle. “Before That Day” is a perfect example of why this stuff sticks despite its obvious post-punk reference points. Like Bloc Party with fangs or Interpol with an actual personality, Paper drives their tracks home with motorik beats, cutting chords, and synth lines that shimmer like pavement after a heavy thunderstorm.
A sample, along with more photos from the second night of Paper’s Cake Shop residency. They play one final set at 10 tonight …
[audio:http://www.self-titledmag.com/wp-content/uploads/audio4/02%20Before%20That%20Day.mp3]
