Call it a resurgence. Call it a renaissance. Hell, call it a reboot if you’d like. But when talking about the newest LP from Paper Tigers, East Coaster, just don’t call it routine. You read it right, Paper Tigers is back with a refined lineup and a rippin’ new record in East Coaster that goes bigger and bolder than ever before!
“This Is Going To Be My Year” is the East Coaster litmus test and, when all is said and done, kind of the gold standard in terms of opening tracks. Subtle and smooth but also quirky and quick to get to the point with a bombastic chorus that comes out of nowhere, delivered with an intensity by Michael Medlock (Vocals), Bjarki Gudmundsson (Guitar, Misc Instruments) and Matt Hughes (Bass). Not to be outdone, “A Company Man” brings those big PT sounds with Gudmundsson’s soundscapes swirling in the back as Hughes and East Coaster Drummer Emil Þ. Emilsson unleash a riotous rhythm section assault. First single “Go On” was just a prelude of what was to come especially when a beautiful track like “Keep A Light On, Just For Me” follows.
“My Pistola” is a glistening/glimmering/shining Art Rawk masterpiece, reminding us of acts like Breton or All Tvvins with the fuzzed out delivery and Medlock’s constant penchant for weaving words together in this special way. “From The Cheap Seats” is enthusiastically elongated as it grows and grows to a powerful pinnacle, “On The Other Side” explores more dynamic textures and then “A Tempest In A T-Shirt” begins all grandiose until
“The Pope Of Allston-Brighton” could be a new Allston Christmas carol or at least a fitting soundtrack for a “Storrowing” in addition to being the kickass Rawk song that it is, penultimate ditty “Cacophony” is both dense and dreamy with a cantankerous collision of of sounds from Gudmundsson as Medlock’s Vocals soar into a fantastic chorus which flows into East Coaster closing number “Dreamin'” that covers all the Paper Tigers 2.0 bases by rounding out the record with a boisterous new atmospheric Alternative anthem.
East Coaster is out now and you can find the version that best suits you by heading here or to the stream below. For more from Paper Tigers, head towards the information superhighway and be sure to stop off here, here or here for the band socials.