The Paperboys - Dilapidated Beauty
By David McPherson
Release Date: October 28, 2003
This double-disc collection showcases the diverse influences and varied sounds that are Canada's Paperboys. Formed in 1992, the Juno-Award-winning band is led by their Mexican-Canadian founder Tom Landa, who also produces Dilapidated Beauty.
Disc One is entitled Night Driving and is a collection of roots-based music, while Disc Two - called Saturday Afternoons - captures the band's fondness for soul.
"Dilapidated Beauty" - the tender and bouncy title track kicks off disc one. "White Noise Lullaby" marked by Shannon Saunders' sleepy violin playing, sounds like a cross between the roots-rock sounds of the Waltons and the West Coast Celtic sounds of early Spirit of the West recordings.
"Town in a Rear View Mirror" is an alt-country, bluegrass gem that showcases some of the guest Paperboys: Charlie Haze's dexterity on Dobro and John Reischman's marvelous mandolin. This song could be an anthem for these road-weary troubadours that have toured throughout North America over the last two years. This line from the chorus captures this feeling, "Life's a town in a rear-view mirror."
Disc Two opens with the rhythm and blues "Perfect Stillness" - introducing a tight trio of horns that immediately changes the tempo away from the sleepier sounds of Night Driving. Another highlight here is the gay and gospel-flavored "Shining Through You."
From one song to the next, and one disc to the other, you are surprised at the new direction that the band takes. From Celtic influences (heard through Geoff Kelly's use of various tin whistles) to bluegrass ballads, folk, soul and R&B, the Paperboys are a talented group of musicians to watch out for.
Dilapidated Beauty is out now on True North Records.
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