On The Corner Where You Live

“On The Corner Where You Live” The Paper Kites
One of Australia’s fastest-rising indie rock bands. The Paper Kites’ sound is a blend of mellow reverbed guitar and synth — best classified as nostalgic 80s rock, with a hint of folk-rock from time to time. Lead singer-songwriter, Sam Bentley, handles most of the vocals, with one track sung (and co-written) by Christina Lacy. Other band members include Dave Powys, Sam Rasmussen and Josh Bentley. The tracks are often sprawling and cinematic — with intricate arrangements and precise production. The Paper Kites will be appearing in San Francisco in early November. Highly recommended.
— Francis D.

Recommended: 3, 10, 2, 8, 11, 5, 4. No FCCs noted.

1. (1:31) A Gathering On 57th — Instrumental. Starts with train sound effects. Lush, late-night feeling. Piano. Jazzy saxophone. Segues into #2.
2. (3:32) Give Me Your Fire, Give Me Your Rain — Nostalgic 80s sound. Big chimey guitar. Syncopated drums. Lots of reverb. Soaring male vocals. ***
3. (4:39) Deep Burn Blue — Continuously chiming guitar over a pulsing synth bass and swelling synth bed. Rich harmonies. Lyrics are about a girl afraid to leave her apartment except after dark. ****
4. (5:13) Mess We Made — Written and sung by Christina Lacy. Rapidly picked guitar over flowing synths, with jangly guitar stingers. **
5. (4:05) Flashes — Mid-tempo. Strummed acoustic guitar, with throaty, jangly, reverbed guitar chords. Hopeful and reassuring. ***
6. (5:25) Red Light — Laid-back, late-night, slow dance. Liquid, ringing guitar throughout. Crooning vocals with deep harmonies.
7. (4:36) On The Corner Where You Live — Higher energy, while still retaining a soft, flowing feeling. Nice jangle.
8. (5:19) Midtown Waitress — More of a folky feeling, with the steady tap of a snare drum rim. Strummed and chimey guitars. Wistful vocals. Story about a waitress trying to make it in the big city. Ends with street noise and a saxophone solo trailing out. ***
9. (4:53) When It Hurts You — Big jangle. Deliberate tempo. Pulsing bass and drums. Harmonies rise up in the chorus.
10. (2:44) Does It Ever Cross Your Mind — Slow piano ballad with gentle vocals. Lyrics focus on what other versions of life are missed due to the choices we make. ****
11. (5:21) Don’t Keep Driving— Rolling, richly romantic and hopeful closer — full of nostalgia and a great 80s vibe. Diverse layers of sound. ***