Reviews

Andrew Merritt and Chris Merritt are brothers that happen to make up Paperface, the newest addition to Takeover Records.  Andrew listens to Death Cab For Cutie, Mellowdrone and Oingo Boingo. Chris is the blonde one, and a shredder on the keys. Together they compile some of the most interesting melodies I’ve heard all year.   An album that is at times a tiny bit on the weird side and at other times, just straight up catchy, “The Legend of Harley Knowles” has just the right amount of sugar and a little something for a flavor that I can’t quit put my finger on.
 
This record is kind of like a gingerbread cookie: it’s spicy and funny tasting yet when you’re in the right mood it’s the perfect comfort food. The Merritt Brothers are almost a blast from the past as they pull in influences from Jazz, Rock N’ Roll and various other areas that make me think of everything from Bob Dylan to The Beach Boys and pull it altogether to make something very much their own.  I guess the only genre I can think of is indie, because Paperface is entirely independent.  “Good Times” is an uplifting jazz style piece with an instrumental solo that is sure to restore anyone’s faith in the existence of serious musicianship in todays’ music scene.  “Familiar Faces” slows things down a little with a heart warming deliverance of life’s lessons and charming vocals harmonization. My personal favorite, “Three Times A Week,” starts out a capella before the piano kicks in rag-time style and then slows into a gentle rock ballad until you guessed it, the tempo picks up once more to switch things up.
 
Paperface. Their composition is colorful, intricate and damn near brilliant. Their appreciation for various genres of music which we tend to overlook is superior.  Fact of the matter is, Chris and Andrew know how to rock and they do it all too well with “The Legend of Harley Knowles.” I can’t wait to see what these guys come up with next. This is absolutely my favorite record of the month, and in my top ten for the year.