Life Among The Savages

The Papercuts are a local band who have often performed with bands like Grizzly Bear and Beach House. They also happen to be pretty similar to Grizzly Bear and Beach House, but more acoustic and with more of a folk influence, augmented by string instruments like violin/cello. Quavering voice singing repetitive lyrics over a rich acoustic soundscape. If you’re looking for an acoustic Baroque pop sound with heavy influence from string instruments, this is it. No FCCs. Check out 1, 2, 8.

1) (4:06) ** Beautiful, catchy chorus with heart. No fade-in: sound begins immediately. A great opening for a set. Feels like a single, in a good way. 2) (4:13) * Violin makes an appearance on this one. A bit slower. Nice lyrics: new bodies for everyone. 3) (3:56) The title track. Strings form the backbone of this one, and occasionally take the spotlight away from the voice. Cello and violin again. 4) (4:38) Slow baroque pop. Repetition of the line “staring into the bright lights.” Very laid-back. Great intro and exit to this one. 5) (3:46) A lighter tone. Less of the heavy strings (cello), and more guitar countermelody. A very hopeful track. 6) (5:17) Piano is the focus here. A great song for an Easter morning? (The title of the track is Easter morning.) Some light cymbals come in near the end. 7) (3:20) Really pleasing, optimistic plucking instruments in the background. Ends very softly. 8*) (3:40) Vocals are more interesting here, and play a larger role. High energy in the strings and bass. Some “la-la”-ing in the middle. Bright inspired tone, given that he’s singing about the afterlife. Sound starts immediately. 9) (4:00) More melancholy than some of the other tracks. Voices used as countermelody. Greater vocal variety and complexity here. Probably one of the more ambitious tracks. Soft fade-out.