WHERE MUSIC LISTENS TO YOU

The Blow

Paper Television

  • AMG Review of Paper Television

    Amg
    Heather Phares
    All Music Guide

    Ever since Khaela Maricich teamed up with Jona Bechtolt for the Poor Aim: Love Songs EP, the Blow's avant-pop leanings have been refined with more structure, more rhythm, and more hooks, resulting in a sound that, interestingly, is more forward-thinking than the group's more concentratedly experimental early work. Paper Television goes even further in this direction, marrying Maricich's charismatic vocals with beats and arrangements inspired by mainstream and urban pop. This bold juxtaposition of sounds pays off more often than not, particularly on Paper Television's first two songs. "Pile of Gold" pairs Maricich's sassy rap-singing with slinky, stuttering rhythms, while "Parentheses" boasts a fantastic chorus and production so bright and immediate that even if the song isn't played on mainstream radio, it certainly could be. However, the daring that makes Paper Television's best moments so unique also leads to some experiments that aren't as successful: "The Long List of Girls" is kinetic, but its beats feel a little contrived and end up stifling Maricich's singing. The glitchy girl-group pop of "Babay (Eat a Critter, Feel Its Wrath)," which likens the end of a bad relationship to being digested and excreted, is original, but also a lot odder than the songs surrounding it, and ends up detracting from Paper Television's flow. Still, the album has more uniquely great moments like the danceable, philosophical breakup song "Fists Up" and witty final allad "True Affection," than uniquely awkward ones. Even with its subverted mainstream pop productions, the Blow is still very indie pop and very K-sounding; they're just not trapped in any preconceptions of what that means. Paper Television is exciting and accomplished, the album where the Blow goes from being interesting to being addictive.

The Blow/ Electric President.
over 2 years ago

Parentheses by The Blow. As of right now this has to be my favorite song. But then again, Ten Thousand lines by Electric President is as well. Hmm, yes, you can't put either one in front of the other.Two completely different sounds. Parentheses being more on the pop/indie side and Ten Thousand Lines being more indie/electronic if anything i guess you could say.Enjoy :)

More >
The Magnificent 7
over 2 years ago

My friend Steph recently asked me for some new music suggestions. I sent her a few tunes that have been bouncing all over my iPod these days:TV On The Radio (f. David Bowie) - "Province" - Like all the best Bowie tunes, this one should force you to spontaneously nod your head along with it (and maybe get up and dance). Mos Def & Talib Kweli - "Astronomy (8th Light)" - True hip-hop from their old B

More >
The Blow
over 2 years ago
Blow Me
over 3 years ago
Blog post image preview

My love song of the night!http://www.myspace.com/theblowus http://theblow.usAND!!!This promises to bea an awesome podcast:http://www.teamyacht.com/archives/000251.html

More >
college.
over 3 years ago
Blog post image preview

oh class. oh how I was falling asleep in class this afternoon. and class before that. oh how I ache for my bed right now but have to go to class later and read. oh how I can't wait for thanksgiving.

More >
The Blow
over 3 years ago
The Blow
over 3 years ago
The Magnificent 7
over 2 years ago

My friend Steph recently asked me for some new music suggestions. I sent her a few tunes that have been bouncing all over my iPod these days:TV On The Radio (f. David Bowie) - "Province" - Like all the best Bowie tunes, this one should force you to spontaneously nod your head along with it (and maybe get up and dance). Mos Def & Talib Kweli - "Astronomy (8th Light)" - True hip-hop from their old B

More >
Blow Me
over 3 years ago
Blog post image preview

My love song of the night!http://www.myspace.com/theblowus http://theblow.usAND!!!This promises to bea an awesome podcast:http://www.teamyacht.com/archives/000251.html

More >
The Blow
over 2 years ago
well since then...
over 2 years ago

"I was outa your league"Well I've written a bit, sent it to the person who is cowriting the script and he added some more dialogue and depth while keeping the situations true to the characters. We're at around 11 pages of this portion. So this brings us to around 45 minutes of a movie with more to come. If anyone has any helpful hints as to how I can get this in front of some eyes who would ...

More >
The Blow/ Electric President.
over 2 years ago

Parentheses by The Blow. As of right now this has to be my favorite song. But then again, Ten Thousand lines by Electric President is as well. Hmm, yes, you can't put either one in front of the other.Two completely different sounds. Parentheses being more on the pop/indie side and Ten Thousand Lines being more indie/electronic if anything i guess you could say.Enjoy :)

More >
college.
over 3 years ago
Blog post image preview

oh class. oh how I was falling asleep in class this afternoon. and class before that. oh how I ache for my bed right now but have to go to class later and read. oh how I can't wait for thanksgiving.

More >
The Blow: True Affection
over 2 years ago

Have discovered this song, and this band reacently. Portland Oregon grown, nice sound. They have a few good songs, more coming I hope!

More >
The Best Albums Of The Decade: #18 - Paper Television
28 days ago

MP3: The Blow - Fists Up#18 - The Blow - Paper TelevisionK Records 2006Joey On Paper Television:Great pop music, killer beats and hooks like gum. This makes it because it still feels fresh anytime I give it a spin.

More >

Top Paper Television Listeners

© 2006-2009 Mog Inc. All Rights Reserved