Paper Rival – Dialog

Paper Rival has torn up CMJ showcases, toured with acts like Nightmare of You, and have even been noted by Spin as an “Artist of the Day”. “Foreign Film Collection” is the first stand-out hit during this album. This is due to the fact that the act is able to create an emotive and grave sound to their tracks that will have individuals hearing a heavy Death Cab for Cutie. Where there seems to be a sedate side to Paper Rival at point, the act really steps into high gear to show an intensity to their emotions and arrangements that gives listeners the evidence why groups and magazines have been so high on the band.

“Bluebird” is a track that shows a more intricate and pop-oriented sound for the band. This is due to the fact that the sorrowful vocals during the song link together emo, college-rock (think Dave Matthews) and indie into something that is unique and still possessing the same dark emotion that was first heard during “Foreign Film Collection”. The use of differing instruments – a clap track and something resembling a tambourine – further establish a unique sound for Paper Rival. “Cassandra” is another single-worthy track for Paper Rival. During this track, the act culls forth a sixties pop influence with the same varied and colored indie rock that had previously been the norm during the rest of the tracks on “Dialog”.

“The Family Ghost” is a track that could conceivably be considered a crossover track, with a thick, ropy bass line that brings along a poppy approach that would sell well to individuals that have cut their teeth on nothing harder than Metro Station and The Maine. If the description of “Dialog” sounds interesting to you, by all means check out the tracks that the band has placed online at their web site. Check Paper Rival out with The Honorary Title through the rest of July and for pretty much the entirety of August. If you are a fan of the band, create a Wikipedia for them; they are simply too big of an act to exist without one. Each of the eleven tracks on “Dialog” provide a different subset of listeners with something that they can sink their teeth into: when an act speaks to so many different audiences, it should only be a matter of time before the band gets the fame that they deserve.

Top Tracks: Cassandra, Keep Us In

Rating: 7.4/10

Paper Rival – Dialog / 2008 Photo Finish / 11 Tracks / http://www.paperrival.com /