I was given the chance to review a new compilation of songs put out by Danger Mouse’s (Broken Bells, Gnarls Barkley) new record label 20th Century Records. I’m excited to see where this goes. I actually had the chance to see Paper Morning at a venue in my area a few months ago. Here are some thoughts, song by song:

Apache Sun – Club Noir: Nice avant-garde feel to the song going in. I like the slightly arabian twist on the guitar playing. A sitar would fit in nicely. The song never gets too amped up but that’s fine.

Maybird – Big Sun Explosion: The guitar right away has me in some kind of mood like I’m in the middl of a desert, making the xylophone feel slightly out of place but I like the contrast. This melody becomes the backbone of the song, making it stand out to me from other new tracks I’ve heard right away.

Autolux – “Change My Head”: Oddly classical. I’m liking the strings. Not sure if synthesized or the real thing.

Paper Morning – “Mad as a Hat”: I’m liking the organ and bass line in the intro. Weird time signature. Interesting lyrics. Cool synth breakdown toward the end.

Waterstrider – Soundless Sea: Why do I have the feeling the vocalist of this band is classically trained? If Sleeping at Last had a female vocalist, they might sound something like Waterstrider.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNHWxPaqXYM[/youtube]

Sam Cohen – Lose Your Illusion: Cool, the harmonium and piano combo at the start of the song is a good sign. The vocals have an effect on them reminiscent of many chill wave and shoegaze bands. PacificUV comes to mind. I’m not particularly enthralled by this song, but the overall genre Cohen falls under is something I find enjoyable, so all is not lost!

The Arcs – Fool’s Gold: Given the pedigree of this band, I’m surprised to hear such an ethereal opening. That guitar tone is very familiar though. This is what The Black Keys could have been with Turn Blue. Dan Auerbach’s vocals sound like they’re holding back a little bit.

Nine Pound Shadow – Melody: Is that a bass I’m hearing or a tuba? I can’t tell. If this band played Columbus, I’d book them at either Brothers Drake or Rumba Cafe.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vllRlkqN9cI[/youtube]

Bike – Enigma De Dente Falso: Straightforward, chill, indie rock with a slight americana vibe. I like it.

Big Search – Please Do Not Explain: This song is even more chill than the Bike song preceding it. I want to hear this in my car driving on a backroad, with no timeline to get to my destination.

Jock Gang – Tell Me About It: The monotone singing makes it sound like the vocalist is bored, vaguely complaining, or both.  The melody is a little unsettling, in a good way.

Overall there definitely seems to be a theme to the type of bands 30th Century works with. Rock and roll with a bit of an easy listening vibe. Water strider is the band that stands out to me as being the most unique, with their chamber folk influence.

Read more about 30th Century Records here.