Posts Tagged ‘The Color Wheels’


03.03.2010

Musings: Paper The Operator

posted by Will

in Music Musings

So, I didn’t really know how to handle Goodbye God, the new release from Paper The Operator. Mainly because I reviewed virtually the same album when it came out (with very limited release) as Jon Sebastian’s solo affair two years ago. The new version of Goodbye God is a bit different as it does add two additional tracks and new artwork to boot. Sebastian plays in The Color Wheels as well and both bands live off his knack 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 and ups the intimacy. And if you want a taste of Paper The Operator and Sebastian’s songwriting prowess you can download Mount Bounty, which is a collection of demos, studio recordings, covers, and unreleased tracks recorded between 2000 and 2005. You can get that for free from the fine folks at Viper Bite Records who have released all of Sebastian’s endeavors to date.

Paper The Operator “Rock Dreams”

28.02.2010

The Color Wheels “Green Means Go” Video

posted by Will

in Music Video

From The Color Wheels‘ sweet Self-Titled album that I reviewed here…man that was a long time ago. Anyway, this is the first I’ve seen of this video and this song still rules my world. Of course be sure to check out lead man Jon Sebastian’s main musical outlet, Paper The Operator. I’ll have a little write-up on PTO’s new-ish album, Goodbye God, going up soon as well. Oh, and you can find more info on all of Sebastian’s projects over at the one and only Viper Bite Records.

15.03.2009

Paper The Operator “Nightmare Sisters” Video

posted by Will

in Music Video


Paper the Operator – Nightmare Sisters from If You Make It on Vimeo.

Jon Sebastian (also of The Color Wheels) performing a new Paper The Operator song on If You Make It’s pink couch! So good!

07.11.2008

The Color Wheels – On Tour

posted by Will

in Music News

THE COLOR WHEELS – Fall Shows
——————————————————-
* Week-long tour of Northeast begins today (Nov 07 – 15)
* In support of Self-Titled debut (Viper Bite Records)
——————————————————-

The pride of Poughkeepsie, THE COLOR WHEELS, will be hitting the road today for a short tour across the Northeast in support of their Self-Titled debut full-length on Viper Bite Records.

Made up of husband and wife duo of Jon and Psalm Sebastian, the band has put together a batch of cunningly addictive songs about pirate ships, playing house and pitching tents. Don’t be fooled though – therein lies the undeniable heart and contagious innocence of The Color Wheels. Still, behind the infectious guitars and sparkling melodies there are bursts of perfectly crafted power pop with a surprising attention to detail. If you rocked out to The Promise Ring’s Very Emergency back in the day, The Color Wheels Self-Titled debut is a must have.

Listen to “Green Means Go” (mp3)

02%20Green%20Means%20Go.mp3

TOUR
——————————————————-
NOV 07 – New Paltz, NY @ Bacchus
NOV 08 – Brooklyn, NY @ Glasslands
NOV 09 – Philadelphia, PA @ Khyber
NOV 10 – Washington, DC @ Velvet Lounge
NOV 11 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Howler’s Coyote
NOV 12 – Buffalo, NY @ Broadway Joe’s
NOV 14 – Rochester, NY @ Monty’s Krown
NOV 15 – Oswego, NY @ The Raven

Maybe I’m gushing, but this just sounds so freakin’ good. You’re gonna love this band.Rochester City Newspaper
11 songs filled with loud guitars, contagious spirit and sparkling melodies.Pop Head Wound
The Color Wheels have produced a brilliant slab of indie power pop.Sound As Language
Undeniably excellent and very catchy.It Covers The Hillsides

25.08.2008

It’s A King Thing: Proper Nouns

posted by Will

in Music Reviews

It’s A King Thing’s 2007 release, LP, made Best New Music here at SAL. It was certainly deserving as head honcho Brian Mietz penned masterful harmony-laden power pop akin to The Lemonheads and Weezer. The energy and humorous slant of Mietz’s songs were enough to push the record over the top. While Proper Nouns still sounds like the same band, there is a shift to slower tempos and perhaps more thoughtful subject matter at times. Don’t get me wrong though, the humor still pervades Mietz’s songs with tongue and cheek abandon on tracks like “Mush Mouth” especially. But there is, dare I say, a maturity that has wiggled into the band’s material here. Once again, brevity is It’s A King Thing’s best friend as the album clocks in at a slim and inviting ten songs in 18 minutes. Much like the bands last album, Proper Nouns is subtle in it’s measured approach. Give it time though and these songs will stick in your head. Perhaps not as overly impressive as LP, Proper Nouns sees It’s A King Thing moving forward while still staying true to the pop hook. So, if you are bummed on the last four Weezer records (however many they have put out since Pinkerton that is), just know there are bands like It’s A King Thing still out there still sticking it to the man.

Genre: Pop/Indie Rock

RIYL: Weezer, The Lemonheads, The Color Wheels

Label: Self-Released

Old Hobbies

01_old_hobbies.mp3

www.myspace.com/itsakingthing

18.08.2008

Paper The Operator: Solemn Boyz EP

posted by Will

in Best New Music, Music Reviews

[Best New Music]

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

01%20Solemn%20Boyz.mp3

www.myspace.com/papertheoperator