Papercuts Still Bleed

Never underestimate the power of a papercut. While it may be a subtle wound, its effects linger much longer than expected. This description also translates to the songwriting/delivery of Jason Quever - also known as Papercuts. The San Francisco resident is releasing his sophomore LP, Can't Go Back, Feb. 5th on Devendra Banhart's new label Gnomonsong.

Can't Go Back is an album blanketed in a fog of human tension, but also receiving subtle rays of light - successfully brightening the mood. Each song contains a focused narrative, which feels like someone's passing memory. The lead-off track,"Dear Employee," is a boss' callous rejection of a female employee/lover. The biting tale is brought alive by the relentless drone of strings and static drum beat. Once into "John Brown," the album's tension is suddenly lifted by a flowering guitar line. Jason's watery vocals also reflect the song's drug splattered relaxation.

After several spins through Can't Go Back, a pattern begins to emerge that divides the album in two. About half the songs are obsessively taunt and restrained, while the other half are free flowing and relaxed. In this way Papercuts creates a continuous build up and release of tension throughout the album. This mood play is what makes Can't Go Back work so well as a single entity.

[www] Papercuts - John Brown

Bonus track:

[www] Papercuts - Mockingbird

See Papercuts on tour w/ Grizzly Bear:
02/16 Seattle, WA - Neumo's
02/17 Vancouver, BC - Plaza Club
02/18 Portland, OR Mission Theatre (2 shows)
02/20 San Francisco, CA - Great American Music Hall
02/21 Los Angeles, CA - Troubadour
02/23 Tucson, AZ - Plush
02/24 Marfa, TX - Ballroom Marfa
02/26 Norman, OK - Opolis
02/27 Dallas, TX- Club Dada
02/28 Austin, TX - Emo's Jr
03/01 Baton Rouge, LA - Chelsea's
03/02 Atlanta, GA - Drunken Unicorn
03/03 Chapel Hill, NC - Local 506
03/04 Washington DC - Black Cat
03/06 NYC - Bowery Ballroom

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