Jon Sebastian is one busy and talented dude. He has a solo career under his own name (Jon Sebastian), an amazing pop duo with his wife (The Color Wheels) and now he has the full band affair with Paper The Operator. Solemn Boyz is Sebastian at his most impressive though. Perhaps it is because he has surrounded himself with a band that truly accentuates the melodies and power behind his songwriting. Brief and outrageously catchy, Paper The Operator pack a truly memorable punch in a brilliantly concise 17 minutes. The quick and catchy “Divorce Court” could easily fit in with The Color Wheels brand of indie pop goodness. The guitar raging “Salty & Sweet” and “Words You Never Learned” bring to mind classic alt-rock behemoths like Chavez. The ridiculous hooks on the rest of the songs sound like long lost Jimmy Eat World tracks. Yeah, it really is that good. Man, is it 1996 all over again? I’m confused. But, in a glorious kind of way. You will be too.
Genre: Pop/Indie Rock
RIYL: Weezer, Jimmy Eat World, Chavez
Label: Viper Bite
Solemn Boyz
Yeah this’ll work. Love the harmonies too.
[...] for writing memorable pop hooks. While I do miss the rockness of the band’s previous release, Solemn Boyz, Goodbye God perhaps showcases Sebastian’s talents a bit more as it tones down the guitars [...]