“My Friends” by Paper Lions

Paper Lions
My Friends
[Fountain Pop Records]

Canada’s Paper Lions have been making their sunny pop music for eight years. Having shared the stage with the likes of Tokyo Police Club and CAKE they’ve gone through 3 vans touring the planet of festivals. Brothers John (vocals) and Rob MacPhee (bass), with Colin Buchanan (guitar), and David Cyrus MacDonald (drums) are releasing My Friends via their own sparkly new label, Fountain Pop Records. After another label kerfuffle, these island lads are taking control of their own artistry. They recorded this album with Howard Redekopp (Tegan and Sara, The New Pornographers) working his producing magic.

Like many bands that fall under the indie pop umbrella, it is easy to hear the influence of great bands that came before, but Paper Lions filters their love of other artists with plenty of sunshine and that happy innocent voice of youth. “Ghostwriter” is simply beautiful, a song that could be a Pet Sounds B-side. “Pull Me In” is the bubbly pop song that will make you dance around the room first, then ponder the relationship the lyrics portray. “So Lonely” flat rocks it out, begging for some most excellent air drumming.